The minute I saw it in Adbusters I knew I would want to attend. I also knew I couldn’t afford a trip to New York. To my delight, the Arab Spring has turned into Western Autumn! Two weeks in, no attention. Then the Brooklyn Bridge is shut down! Events are blossoming all over the country, then the world. Portland is an activist town. It makes me lazy, because I know someone else will always demonstrate for me. (don’t hate, I donate, volunteer etc.) I have a close friend who is an activist in Central American issues, I try to be supportive. These days you have to find your passion.
I have always been envious of my boomer friends. They did it all; en masse, those times of intense beauty and horror combined with such innocence. They knew they were RIGHT. All before crippling student debt, a service industry future, food corruption, and reality television, made our eyes dull. How many times have I been angry, frustrated? Ever since Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission I’ve been plain out pissed. I googled for activism, groups to become a part of. Nothing. No outlet. I’m upset about a lot. I’m also one of the Stewart/Colbert “too busy” population. I’m taking time out for this.
Everyone says “have fun down there.” It’s not about fun. Honestly, I’d rather be at home, or work, or class (I am fortunate enough to be employed in a job I love.) I feel a need to participate, a duty. I feel as though I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen my entire life. This matters. I was in class when the march took place. The press is saying 5,000. The participants 10,000. I believe the participants. Take time out. Go.
This is a continual demonstration, it is being distilled into statements, it is a “hashtag revolution”, it is possibly our last chance to make real statements and change for the present and the future. Voting is no longer enough. Massive popular demonstration and civil disobedience is the only way. Our system is a lurching and corrupt beast. As proud as I was of Obama’s election the truth of corruption at the stem of our government has been exposed. Nothing gets done. No changes happen. Worship of the free-market fails when bankruptcy is mentioned. If I can fail, so can they. Why not government purchases of mortgages, student debt, and consumer debt? Fuck the banks! I was eight when the s&l scandals happened. I know life got better afterwards with regulation. I saw the banks getting “too big” again. I’ll say it again: how can I fail and they not? Where is the relief for my parents who trusted in the Las Vegas of pension funds and IRA’s?
