Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like!
If you’ve been to a march at any Occupy group, you’re familiar with this chant. It’s one of the main calls that they state with pride, and the biggest belief that powers every action they contemplate and accomplish. The GA is painful in its length, but beautiful in its intent. What might look like chaos is actually uplifting to experience, because you’re watching a mass of people with diverse opinions talk, listen, and show respect (in most cases). The actions are still depicted by most mainstream media as a bunch of hooligans who just like to cause trouble. Kind of sounds like those patriots who started this country, doesn’t it? So, if our country’s history is built on just such moments as these, then how can they be wrong?
People who love something so dearly that they will sacrifice their own comforts and safety should be respected, and not ridiculed, for their devotion. But then, those who are getting hurt and ridiculed don’t really feel the pain because there’s something much more important to them. We all hold something in our hearts to such high esteem, but may choose to react in a much different manner when supporting it. Actions don’t always have to be louder than words. Actions and words hold a different kind of power when combined into a single source. But the vision of what could be is the loudest of all, and we can all help to build it with our own skills and visions.
The image above came from Issue 3 of Occupy Wall Street Journal, and is by Beth Whitney. Can’t you just see the power radiating from this collaboration? This really is what democracy looks like. Pure, concentrated participation like we hardly ever see anymore. This alone makes this Occupy movement a resounding success. What more #OWS and its brethren will accomplish is something everyone is looking upon with baited breath. This is a walk on the wild side, and it’s happening everywhere.
