Delia's Gone

do i support it?  of course.  are protests being portrayed as violent, disorganized, disgruntled and young?  no shit. 

i’m really proud that americans one again feel moved.  for too long we’ve disagreed quietly, politely, from our armchairs while watching the evening news.  we’ve wished our country simply wouldn’t behave that way, or we’ve discussed it with friends at cookouts.  but few took to the streets or the polls, few allowed themselves the right to be angry over some very agitating circumstances.  i’m glad we’re taking back that right, that entitlement to show terror when our circumstances are terrifying, and to direct that fear, confusion and outrage at the people who most directly contributed to it. 

what scares me, and what i think is most telling, is that occupy wall street is a long-term commitment.  some people have been camping out for weeks, others for days.  how can average americans afford to do this, and in such numbers?  the answer is that they finally can’t afford not to.  so many people are unemployed, losing their homes, pushed into welfare, and watching their welfare get cut.  at least now it can’t be ignored or dismissed with some cheap graphic on a 24-hour news channel. 

occupy wall street reminds me of egypt, it reminds me of greece, it reminds me of a sleeping dragon that keeps getting poked.  so hold onto that feeling of injustice, and remember in November, and every day when you buy things, and every time you talk about politics, remember who is responsible and remember that it doesn’t have to be like this.