A week ago I posted the following graphic and comment:
Me: “You know what's sad? This entire altruistic movement has no end goal...the world has spoken and it's still business as usual...SMH...”
The following discussion ensued:
Emma: “But you know what's cool? That a friend of mine who *doesn't* approve of this movement (per se) has called it altruistic, and has expressed frustration with things being "business as usual." So it gives me hope that people with different beliefs will talk to each other, and express frustration, and vote, and post things online that make others think. Even if they think differently than me!”
Susan: “Wow this impresses; all this in less than seven weeks from 1 city to 1700!!!”
Anita: “It's not up to them to find the solution - only to make the world aware of the problem.”
Me: “So...let me know who it's up to then?”
Anita: “Those that have the power to make changes...those of us who are working, teaching, making laws, etc. or we'll have a ‘French revolution’."
Susan: “This conversation - that's what’s shining a light on a huge problem we have not addressed.”
Me: “OK but you want to have it both ways...you want change but it's someone else's job. I thought this government was founded by the people, of the people, for the people?”
Anita: “First step is to elect people who will make changes, to boycott certain companies, to contact your congressman/congresswoman.”
Me: “But you were just preaching revolution...if you want complete change you have to be willing to do the work...”
Anita: “No, I'm not preaching revolution. That's a possible outcome if things don't get better. You don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. The basic premise of this government is sound.”
Me: “Sounds like we all need to think this out and come to the courage of our convictions...so far the whole movement is a lot of talk...and that frustrates me...I like to get things done...”
Anita: ”...but you're right. It’s of the people, by the people, for the people. And that has been forgotten by those who were elected.”
Me: “OK but enough finger pointing. If we're that fed up it's time to DO something.”
Anita: “Tuesday is a step.”
Me: “We'll see Anita...I would be delighted to see the election results Wednesday morning and think it actually starts the beginning of reform...”
Susan: “Yes but the government is not acting now so the people are exercising their rights of protest.”
Me: “Sure Susan and they have the right to do so. But is it just a feel good exercise? Where's the result of the protests?”
Susan: “The results of the protests are that eyes on this movement, that the media is sending people, that publications like Fast Company doing a surveyhttp://www.fastcompany.com/1789018/occupy-wall-street-demographics-statistics that unions of nurses, teachers, communication workers, lawyers are joining. It's now on the front burner and no longer the elephant in the room. People and politicians are paying attention, you can be sure.”
Me: “Can I?”
Watch out you might get what you're after.
Cool babies strange but not a stranger.
I'm an ordinary guy,burning down the house…
I celebrate Emma’s point at the outset of the thread: it is wonderful that we are able to discuss such critical issues openly and with respect for one another’s points of view. I honestly believe educators in general share the same values and perspectives…it’s a question of how to move forward that creates our differences. Tuesday’s elections are over; there was a general trend of Republicans being elected. Meanwhile the “occupy” movement continues…for all its ideals and all its problems…the message, the crime, the interlopers joining in with their own agendas. Right now as I write, those “occupying” Portland, Oregon are in a stand-off as police are ready to enforce an order for protesters to disperse.
Hold tight, wait till the party's over.
Hold tight, We're in for nasty weather.
There has got to be a way burning down the house…
And I’m wondering, when a city ends their local “occupy” movement, what will have been won by these protesters? Yes, I agree they have the right to assembly and free speech. Yes I’ll concede the protests have gotten media attention both positive and negative. But what is the goal? Not the “we have been heard” goal…the “we have affected change” goal. Are we so willing to accept the cleaned-up nostalgia of Forrest Gump fairy tales that we aren’t willing to see the real world work that needs to be done?
Here's your ticket pack your bag, time for jumpin' overboard;
The transportation is here.
Close enough but not too far, maybe you know where you are, fightin' fire with fire…
If the goal is to call attention to those slipping through society’s safety net during tough economic times…mission accomplished. If the goal is to put pressure on elected officials to “do something” about it…I’m not so sure. Taking the dialogue to the streets as a way of “fighting fire with fire” is a romantic but flawed notion. How does the “occupy” movement create any urgent impetus for elected officials to make necessary change? Being fed-up is an honest human emotion…but it doesn’t alleviate us of our responsibility to actively participate in making the world a better place.
All wet, hey you might need a raincoat.
Shakedown, dreams walking in broad daylight.
Three hundred-sixty-five degrees burning down the house…
When would the pressure be more on the “powers that be” than during the next year leading up to the 2012 elections? And what better way to make decision-makers implement change than working within the system, right here, right now? Instead of pointing fingers and demanding someone else fix the problem, we have to espouse a vision of what “winning” looks like…a concrete, inclusive, actionable plan that addresses the real issues…one that is in the best interests of the collective good.
It was once upon a place, sometimes I listen to myself;
Gonna come in first place.
People on their way to work, baby what did you except? Gonna burst into flame…
When these discussions become heated…and it doesn’t take much…the case is ultimately made for a “revolt of the common people against the oppressive system.” I can understand this comes out of a sense of frustration. Education is taking a lot of hits politically and economically. Change is truly needed. So what are we willing to do to help achieve it? Is our only option to burn down our own house? Of course not.
My house, out of the ordinary.
That's might. Don't want to hurt nobody.
Some things sure can sweep me off my feet burning down the house…
It is important to believe we can affect change. It is even more important to do a gut check to know what we are each willing to actually do…on the job professionally and at home personally…to contribute to making change take place. Nightly news sound bites, digital video clips and social media birds-of-a-feather pats-on-the-back may be reassuring to those all caught up in the discussions and protests…but the reality is “the revolution will not be televised.” (Gil Scott-Heron, 1970)
No visible means of support and you have not seen nothin' yet;
Everything's stuck together.
I don't know what you expect starring into the TV set fighting fire with fire…
My point is this: we need to find the courage of our convictions and implement a plan to make change happen. Because once the protests are done and the elections are over, nothing will have changed if we have not worked within the system to put our values as educators into legal, legislative action. Feeling good about discussing and protesting the issues is the equivalent of “a thousand people in the street singing songs and carrying signs, mostly say, ‘hooray for our side’…it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down…” (Stephen Stills,1966) If this is all we are willing to do to address the historic challenges we face as a society, we are kidding ourselves…we really just want to reserve the right to hear ourselves complain. I choose to believe educators want more than that; we just aren’t sure how and where to get started.
Burning Down the House composed by David Byrne performed by The Talking Heads. From the album Speaking in Tongues (1983).
For What It's Worth composed by Stephen Stills performed by Buffalo Springfield.
The Revolution will not be Televised composed and performed by by Gil Scott-Heron.
Note: The above discussion thread has been edited for typing, grammatical and syntactic errors; also the names have been changed to protect the privacy of those who participated in the original discussion.
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