Editorial: Occupy Olympia!

We here at OP&L are proud members of the 99%, and we wholeheartedly support the Occupy movement. Our publishers, writers, cartoonist, delivery people, fortnightly single daters, readers and advertisers – and even our handful of haters – are all bona fide not-rich folks.

We are awed and delighted by the gregariousness of the movement, by its infectiousness, and by its categorical embrace of just about everybody. And by the very real possibility that it will succeed, albeit at what we’re not yet sure.

The Occupy movement has the possibility to be a fertile source of real world consequences, such as widespread regulatory reform (the kind of reform that actually improves, not just a euphemism for “getting rid of”), or to be a revolution in the way we think about housing, food, work and each other.

It is possible to take this movement where few have gone before: into history as an entire chapter heading, a defining moment in the evolution of society. It would also be easy to let this movement go the way many others gone, done in by passivity and self-righteous infighting.

So, in the spirit of possibility, here are some suggested do’s and don’t’s. But we don’t claim to be in charge here. Use what’s useful; disregard what’s not.

DO articulate inspiring goals. Avoid the “but…” or “not that…” language, and reach for the “yes, and…” language.

DON’T waste momentum on an ephemeral moment of crowd-surfing.

DO connect with others in the group. Seeing as ‘the group’ is 99% of the population, this includes most anyone you meet. Share your experiences and suggestions. Complain together. Get to know each other. These are the relationships that will sustain the movement, especially if you’re connecting with folks outside your current set.

DON’T stay at home. Part of being a member of the 99% is acknowledging that it’s not someone else’s job to fix the world. If 99% of us were actively promoting the kind of world we want, it would be ridiculously inevitable. Imagine 99% of Olympians switching to credit unions – there would be no banks left to spit on.

DO acknowledge your own biases. 99% is a lot of people, probably some of whom you’re not comfortable with. Name it, own it and move on. Solidarity doesn’t mean being friends with just your friends.

DON’T be complacent. Plenty of us are short on time, money, and energy. Many of us could make a pretty convincing case that we’re doing enough for the world already without taking on this whole new thing. But get this – the truly inspiring thing about the Occupy movement is the possibility that we don’t have to think in terms of scarcity.

DO pitch in. There’s plenty of work to be done, not just taking care of the occupation, but taking care of the whole community. Help remove barriers to participation for everyone.

DON’T break stuff; don’t be an ass.

DO use the power to make real changes. Challenge yourself and others to take concrete steps.

Occupy is still in its infancy as a movement. We’re stoked about where it’s going. ◙