Occupy

During the formative period of Occupy, I made several well reasoned and friendly observations and suggestions.  Here is one of mine.  I wrote these from the standpoint of a quite successful life-long grassroots organizer with a general left perspective.  (I wasn't alone in making these critiques by any means.) While some of my thoughts were carried by a few blogs, they certainly weren't picked up by such outlets as Portside and were not carried, to my knowledge anyway, by any formally Left print journals. 

But I think those thoughts of mine, and comparable ones by other experienced persons, were and are very well taken.

At this point, I am not sure where Occupy is at -- and perhaps it doesn't know, either.

I am quite certain that other social justice "upheavals" are very soon to come.  Haven't lost my basic optimism.

H.

A FEW THOUGHTS ON OCCUPY  [HUNTER BEAR    NOVEMBER 13 2011]


As I've prefaced before, I'm not at Occupy and, beyond a certain point, reluctant to criticize. My inclinations have been supportive.  A few weeks ago, I raised the question on RBB about where it might be going and possible goals. While I recognized that its spontaneity and somewhat -- somewhat -- diversity were its considerable strength at that point, I was skeptical about those qualities alone giving it an enduring life in the sense of an "oak wood fire".  As I recall, there were very few answers and no definitive ones to the points I briefly made.  The other day I, again briefly, opined on a couple of our lists that Occupy could benefit from some intra and inter organization and national/local and short range/longer range goals.  I don't think that drew any response.

It seems to me that Occupy is a remarkable protest movement which has raised and reinforced general awareness of some very key issues.  But, in my opinion, it isn't really a goal-oriented phenomenon, characterized by much internal strategy discussion and resultant discipline -- and its lack of cohesion and organization are sadly striking. In fact, as pieces of it seem to be fading away, its very life appears speculative, maybe questionable.  Whatever its future, it has undoubtedly radicalized  many people and may -- may -- be a stepping stone to something considerably more effective on several fronts.

These shortcoming, as I see them, are in sharp contrast to the almost always well organized Labor actions of yore -- and today.  The Bonus Marchers in the twilight of the Herbert Hoover administration had a very clear and specific goal.

Occupy is NOT comparable to the old Civil Rights Movement. To be honest, I personally resent that analogy. The Civil Rights Movement occurred in a very obvious on-going historical context, almost always had at all levels effective democratic leadership, and had very clear and specific goals -- local and national and long range and short-range. Its commitment to tactical non-violence was almost pervasive. Virtually every level and facet of that Movement was very well organized -- even to the point that there was usually cognizance of potentially unexpected developments -- say, during demonstrations -- and thus almost always back-up alternatives "at ready." The stakes were always very high. That Adversary was powerful, cunning, absolutely ruthless, and downright deadly.  

Hunter Bear

HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq /St. Francis 
Abenaki/St. Regis Mohawk 
Protected by Na´shdo´i´ba´i´ 
and Ohkwari' 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO
www.hunterbear.org 
(much social justice material)

See the Stormy Adoption of an Indian Child [My Father]:
http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm

For the new, just out (11/2011) and expanded/updated
edition of my "Organizer's Book," JACKSON MISSISSIPPI -- 
with a new and substantial Introduction by me.  We are close upon
the 50th anniversary of the massive Jackson Movement of1962-63.:
http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm

Personal Background Narrative (with many links):
http://hunterbear.org/narrative.htm