On July 4th, 2012, the first Occupy National Gathering in Philadelphia announced their "Vision For A Democratic Future." It's a well written, sincere, and apparently cooperative endeavor that expresses the hopes and dreams of some very sincere young people.
It may also be the death knell of the Occupy movement itself.
In an email to the Mike Malloy radio show last night, Tara Devlin wrote a challenge to the authors of the 'vision statement' that cannot be overlooked. As she explains in her article, Devlin is herself an activist who "has been to Occupy working groups, General Assemblies and participated in numerous actions here in NYC," She writes as an insider, and supporter, not as an opponent to the movement
That is why her message is so important. Here is an except that explains the basic premise of Devlin's concern:
"Our process is our message?!" WHAT? Really? I know that was probably meant to be a radical, bold, daring attempt at a fundamental shift in consciousness about how we organize our society, but it sounded more like a gift to the elites who are giggling with delight by the way Occupy just solidified itself as a fringe movement.
Crafting a "vision statement" that is SO incredibly broad and all encompassing is nothing but wasted time and energy. The struggling working classes need champions to fight for them in the HERE AND NOW - not paint a "peace and love" picture of an airy-fairy utopia that is SO FAR from fruition to make it frustratingly laughable.
The "vision" is so painfully, consciously all-inclusive, I was honestly waiting for "Free Mumia," "Save the Whales" and "call your grandma at least once a week so she may feel 'loved and unafraid.'" Yes, these ALL good causes, but we need reality-based "visions" rooted in the HERE AND NOW. The only way this movement will ever reignite the spark lit in Zucotti Park is by giving the average working stiff something he or she can relate to and pour their frustrations into.
An excerpt does not do justice to the entire message that Devlin delivers so well. The entire article can be read as a guest editorial
HERE.