Photo: Stacy Lanyon
I think what drew me to Occupy was what I saw as the gross
inequality of wealth, rights and freedom between the 99% (the People) and the
1% (those who corrupt policy and pacify or snuff-out those who call for change).
I know many people don't understand. I don't even understand how the system
works, why it works in this way and why there is systematic-exploitation,
dehumanization of workers and degradation of the quality of life, for most
people. What I do understand, what I do recognize, simply put, is that it
must change.
There is a vast disparity of wealth, quality of life, freedom, rights and choice. This country was built upon the pillars of the Rights, which
we all understand to be unalienable: life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. As far as I can see, everyday that ideal is deteriorating more
and more. America is a shadow of its former-self. The incremental destruction of the
Constitution, the growing power and influence of people with absolutely no
accountability to the public and the suffering endured by those within the
country and those outside of it are why I think it's so important to speak
out. I think it's important to care about those who are suffering. I think it's
important to care about what your government is doing and how they do it. I
think it's important to care not just about yourself and your own
"success" but also about the people in your community, in your country,
in the world.
The
current situation of the world is one of apathy, fear and conformity. We all
know the government is in the hands of people with narrow self-interests. We
all recognize it, but it wouldn't have been this way if people just paid
attention, if people were brave enough to speak out, brave enough to care and
think for themselves. The world I envision is one where everybody, regardless of
wealth, merit, affluence or power, will come together with their passion,
knowledge and their ideas and collectively, with the spirit of true democracy
and Love, sculpt the destiny of their generation and begin to ponder the fate of their world. It might be labeled idealistic
or unrealistic, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. The greatest
threat to the Revolution aren't those whom we oppose, aren't those who become
violent toward us. It's the people who look the other way. It's the people who
are complacent with this unjust system. It's the people who just don't care.
Interview by Stacy Lanyon
http://buildingcompassionthroughaction.blogspot.com/
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