In the early days of Occupy most of our actions and talking points were directed at a few basic targets all falling under the category of economic justice. We were angry about the bank bailouts and failure of the governmental and judicial system to hold bankers accountable for their actions in nearly destroying our economy. We were appalled that not only were there no consequences for their actions, but instead they were bailed out and given tax breaks to boot. Then, rather than using that money to help out people with underwater mortgages or in other economic crises, they merely continued to live their champagne and caviar lifestyles giving their most wealthy executives huge bonuses. Why wouldn't they? If they face no consequences why change? Why give up the kind of lifestyle they are accustomed to living? I suppose we hoped in our own way to disrupt business enough, to educate enough people to share in our outrage that just maybe we would get their attention.
It seems we have gotten their attention, although to what degree or effect remains to be seen. What is certain is that Occupy is gaining momentum and shows no indication of surrendering. In fact as we gain momentum and numbers we become more focused on our mission. We educate one another and continue to build upon our strengths while weeding out that which has not been productive. As we continue to learn, to revisit history and follow the money trail to it's most corrupt roots we are increasingly aware of the role that war plays in the big game of money and power. War is essential to the system; violence and control are an inherent part of any criminal enterprise. This is not new information but maybe we initially felt was too big, too beyond our control...or maybe it just wasn't quite real enough.
That is beginning to change.Thanks to people like Bradley Manning, IVAW, journalists and survivors who have the courage and integrity to speak out and tell the true tales of the atrocities of war, we can no longer hide from that horrible reality. Now that it is embedded in our minds, the stories, the images and the horror, we can't go back. You can't push the toothpaste back into the tube, a wise woman once said, and it's true. We can't let out efforts be left behind in Chicago with the closing of the NATO summit. If we are to continue our struggle against injustice and economic inequality this has to be part of the package.
As Americans we have largely been shielded from the realities of war. Our media is very careful in it's reporting. Only well edited snippets are revealed and always in such a context that we are portrayed as "liberators" conducting helpful interventions and bringing democracy to oppressed areas. The biggest sales pitch of all was the notion that we have to save the women of Afghanistan and other Muslim countries from oppressive and sexist traditions. That one even got most liberals on board.
Nice thought, only it isn't happening. Our government is doing much to help women either home or abroad. And the documented number of rapes perpetrated by our own troops is staggering, and increasing. Imagine the number that go unreported.
We know too much to turn back now. We know things that we would rather not know, and that is distressing. Many people are in a state of cognitive dissonance, their minds reeling from the reality that is presented to them, so different from what we have been raised to believe. This state of mind is distressing, yes, but it can be a signal that now is the time to get serious about this anti-war stuff. I know there are a million issues closer to home that many of us feel better about. Probably because it's on a playing field where we feel that we actually have some influence. And that's okay, we need some sense of victory now and then to keep us motivated and moving forward. But I will encourage all Occupiers to also "think globally" to remember how fortunate we are to be able to sleep safely at night without the fear of home invasion by foreign troops. Without having to pass checkpoints to go to the grocery store. Without having to live in fear that are children may be randomly fired at from a helicopter while going to school. After all if we continue in our role as the bully of the playground, it's only a matter of time before we become the target of revenge. That happened to us 11 years ago, one single day that changed everything. And yet it was one day. Imagine living in fear of such an attack every single day. Is that what we want for our children and grandchildren? Is that what we want for anyone? It's time to act. It's time to say No More War.
Copyright 2012 Jennifer Hazard
Image courtesy of photobucket http://s563.photobucket.com/profile/swingingsixties2
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