We have seen the footage on the nightly news of protestors and police staring each other down, scuffles breaking out, and students being pepper-sprayed. The Occupy movement has only been in motion for a few months, but it has proven quite capable of grabbing our attentions. It provokes passionate thought and debate. It, like so many movements of this type, calls on us to challenge what we think we know, or feel about the role of our government. However, in its early infancy, some onlookers cannot help but question just what ultimately the message and means of success would be for the Occupy movement.
On November 15th, a gathering of around 15-20 students came together in the Diversity Achievement Center to discuss just that. Led in part by History Professor, Robert Harrison, many issues were brought up for discussion, such as political actions taken over the last few decades in regards to the economy, to the nature of money in our politics, and even connections to prior protest movements. The recent outbreaks of violence and police brutality came to the forefront of discussions, as did how various news outlets had covered it.
"What should be their goal?" prompted Professor Harrison.
It seems like a simple question, but the broad and varied responses from the gathered crowd showed the magnitude of the problem.
"People are fighting for jobs, and fairness," said one student to nods of agreement from some of their fellow students, and shaking heads from a few others, including one who was more than happy to share phone contact of places he knew of that were actively hiring.
While one may think of Oregon as a solidly blue, liberal state, the diversity of ideas represented in the discussion spanned more than just a progressive view.
One student, who spoke openly of being a Tea Party supporter, had questions that he had come to find answers for.
"What is the Occupy movement about? I really do not know what they hope to achieve, and what message they are bringing to the table."
They were questions even the Occupy supporters were seeking to understand.
The passionate debates that ensued spoke of a universal desire of people of all many varied political views to ask the serious question of fairness in our government and its policies. Nothing was off the table, from the behavior of Wall Street, to the responsibilities of the citizens. The answers for how to address the nation's economic problems were as varied as the seemingly endless number of questions posed. It was clear to many that there was no easy answer.
The tone of the discussion eventually took a more stern direction, even among ardent supporters of the Occupy movement when the issue of the cost of the protest themselves came up. As much as the supporters of the movement believed it was good that people were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protests, many were worried about the financial burden of the heightened police presence, and the cost to repair the parks.
"We will not know for months just how much it will cost to repair the park, grow the lost grass, and rehabilitate the trees effected by the protests," said one Occupy supporter. "These parks will now have to be fenced off, possibly until next summer before the public can get back in."
It was clear to many that for all the good the Occupy movement can do, there was going to be a price for the choices the movement makes in seeking to get their message out there.
By the end, the gathered students agreed upon one thing: Both sides of this debate recognize that something has to be done about the economic disparages facing our nation.
The question both sides seem to find a hard time answering is just how we can fix them.
At a glance:
Started: September 17, 2011 in Manhattan’s Liberty Square Park
Slogan: “We are the 99%”
Practices: Nightly ‘Democratic General Assemblies’ for members to voice concerns and share ideas, and invented ‘Human Megaphone’ to help ensure information passed through crowds when megaphones themselves are not allowed.
No comments:
Post a Comment