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The Occupy episode (which I prefer to “movement” in this case) seems to have created its most powerful bastion in Oakland, scene of many social justice fights over the decades. Demonstrators had another march last night, a week or so after attempting to storm City Hall. One protester was quoted in the linked article above as saying that the protesters had “got their message across.”
Um…what message? I read the AP wire story twice, and there was no reference to any policy or social behavior that the protesters wanted to change or reform or abolish or implement. Broadly speaking, successful political movements do two things: first, they transform the rhetoric of their indigenous political culture. So, via their own persistence in communication and presentation, a vast number of people indifferent to the cause of the protesters begin to think about what they are saying, respond to it, maybe reject, but, also, maybe come to believe in that cause themselves. Second, a successful movement, via the specificity of its demands, wins reforms that change for the better the lives of its adherents. So victory begets the energy and determination to seek more victories via more demands. And those who have been hanging back might think, “Hey, these guys are winning. Maybe I should join up with them.”
Think about the following slogans: “Stop the War”; “Join the Union”; “Integrate the buses and restaurants;” “Enable us to exercise our right to vote for the candidates of our choice”,”Pay us the same amount as you do men for the same job;” “Allow us to serve openly in the military and love and marry who we wish”, “Help us a lot more with child care and housework.” And, yes, “Cut taxes and government spending to the undeserving.” Everyone of these demands speak to both criteria above. By their very pointedness, yet also the link between that pointedness and a broader problem of injustice or inequality, they help to change the national conversation, force those in power to respond to them, and help to galvanize more and more potential supporters. And they also create the possibility for provisional victories along the road to utopia. Wars can be stopped, unions can be organized, gay people can marry, husbands can clean up more around the house. Even if more always needs to be done, those victories make the petitioners happier right now, and empower them to demand ever greater reforms. And they keep those in power from getting too smug. They know that back sliding will be met with more insistent demands on their power and accountability.
Occupy started out well with its, “We are the 99%” slogan. Simple and powerful, those remarks really did help to change the conversation in our political culture to one that at least addressed issues of income and wealth inequality. But…now what? There’s no demand in “We are the 99%.” Just an assertion of aggrieved identity. The guy in the news article talked about a message. Marching around and trying charge City Hall isn’t a message, It’s not a demand or series of demand that can inspire the faithful and rally even more to the cause. It’s also not a demand that can really worry those power, and force them to respond. Fixing the door on City Hall is a lot easier to do than giving up significant amounts of power, money, or both.
So until Occupy comes up with some demands like those above, it’s going to stay stuck on the level of an episode not a movement—worthy probably of a few senior honor theses 25 years from now, but not the books and films that have valorized the great movements of social justice alluded to above.
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TR on February 05, 2012 2:38 PM:
Well said.
The Occupy folks deserve a lot of credit for yelling at the right buildings, as Charlie Pierce put it, but they'd win a lot more if they were yelling something a little more coherent.
Get rid of the mic check, folks, and work on the actual message.
c u n d gulag on February 05, 2012 2:45 PM:
At first, I like that they didn't really have a message - just a statement of fact.
But now, whey they hopefully reorganize in the spring, they DO need one.
I might start off with some sense of humor. Something like, "So, after over 30 years, can you now tell us when does it finally start trickling down?"
Or, I might show up with some guillotines, wicker baskets, and pikes with mannequin's heads on them.
I might carry a sign that said, "You said we had no message. Are you seeing a message NOW?"
TCinLA on February 05, 2012 2:53 PM:
The Occupy Oakland movement is the modern day incarnation of the Berkeley whackos of the 60s (and I know of whom I speak, having been part of that), and their "message" is the riots they have so far forced. They have given up non-violence (if they ever adopted it), and have managed to give the whole movement a black eye as a result. In fact, among Occupy groups around the country, they are now criticized and are considered their own thing.
It's unsurprising that a bunch of anarchists would have no message.
rover27 on February 05, 2012 2:54 PM:
They're not only not helping the cause of economic and social justice, they're hurting it. Sad.
Max L on February 05, 2012 3:02 PM:
I don't know anyone in California who still supports OWS. Sure, we are all thankful for the change in conversation from the deficit to income inequality, but night after night of this story on our local Tee Vee news has done it's work.
I actually saw Dumpster Muffin, the Berkeley tree sitter from a couple years back, giving an interview on behalf of Occupy Oakland. They are doomed.
This thing fell apart here last November when they marched on the port (srsly??? the port????) and ended up vandalizing a Whole Foods and pissing off stevedores and truck drivers instead. Like Bill Maher said: when all you do is sleep in the park for a protest, after awhile, the only people left are the ones who live in the parks. I am a fire breathing liberal, living in Berkeley fer chrissake, and I have zero interest or sympathy in OWS. Maybe the "movement" will get its footing in the Spring, but until then Occupy is in the dumpster.
schtick on February 05, 2012 3:05 PM:
Oakland is giving the Occupy movement a bad name. Causing damage isn't what the movement is about and if anything, OWS is always trying to keep it peaceful, but let's face it, there's always some jerks whether they are actually from the movement or someone just looking to do damage with the "mob" mentality. Too sad.
This Guy on February 05, 2012 3:07 PM:
Liberals in their meetings utter bold words; they strut, grimace belligerently, and then issue a weasel-worded statement 'which has tremendous implications, if read between the lines.' They sit calmly, dispassionately, studying the issue; judging both sides; they sit and still sit. - Saul Alinsky 1971
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I have more respect for these young people out protesting against the one percent and their entrenched power then I do those who sit on their asses spouting things they never plan to do. The so called left bloggers cant keep the same thought going on for more then a few hours they effect exactly zero change on anything because they drive no message for more then a couple of hours and then they go skipping off on another subject that very few care about
After years of watching the right picking up an issue and keeping it at the top of the page for days even weeks until it becomes so deafening that the MSM can no longer ignore it, you would think they might learn from that but no.
These kids have been out there in cold weather day after day and all I ever read on left blogs is criticism for something they are to chicken to do them selves.
These kids are fighting for their future and yours kicking them repeatedly is just disgusting.
James on February 05, 2012 3:08 PM:
Yep. Exactly right. A lot of mainstream people started listening hopefully to the 99% message. But then they started in on the bizarre Occupy this Occupy that -- it kind of got ridiculous -- I mean, shut down ports? Take over a church? For what? Unfortunately they have let the fringe take over instead of starting to work constructively for the goals we'd all like to see -- the perp walks of the Wall Street billionaires, for example.
Now it seems to be no more than another Free Mumia thing. It's a pity. They need to get rid of the leftist fringe.
...Adding, though, that I'm even more frustrated with labor. As a lifelong labor Democrat, can't the unions upgrade their message to the 21st century? They are still marching around in hideous identical T-shirts waving signs. Do they know that doesn't lend itself to a sympathetic message? Geez. They certainly have enough money to hire a competent PR firm to upgrade their message strategy. It's a matter of survival at this point.
martin on February 05, 2012 3:16 PM:
TR beat me to the Charlie Pierce line.
One slogan you forgot, which may be the true underlying message of Occupy:
Which Side Are You On?
J on February 05, 2012 3:23 PM:
Well said. I've been trying to tell my occupy friends for some time that it's not enough to complain. Come up with specific solutions and work for those. A good one would to be to go out and vote this time, and work on campaigns for people willing to do the things you want to do.
DAY on February 05, 2012 3:30 PM:
"“Stop the War”; “Join the Union”; “Integrate the buses and restaurants;” “Enable us to exercise our right to vote for the candidates of our choice”,”Pay us the same amount as you do men for the same job;” “Allow us to serve openly in the military and love and marry who we wish”, “Help us a lot more with child care and housework.” And, yes, “Cut taxes and government spending to the undeserving.”
With the exception of "stop the war" (which war?). NONE of the above apply to this 70+ white self employed male. Yet I too am a mad as hell 99%er.
When we rebelled against British rule it was for "Freedom", not "stop taxing our tea," or "let us manufacture iron in the colonies," or "Stop impressing our sailors".
Patience, my friends. These things take time. Just ask Mr. Ghandi.
Kilmister on February 05, 2012 4:16 PM:
The entire Occupy movement will be dragged down by these assholes who never gave a shit about economic fairness. These are the permanent class of trust fund anarchists that just move around the world looking for 'the shit'. Be it Davos or Seattle or where ever, they are just itching to smash out a Starbucks window and set fire to a dumpster. They're basically gutter punks with credit cards that daddy pays off every month.
Kilmister on February 05, 2012 4:24 PM:
This Guy said "These kids have been out there in cold weather day after day and all I ever read on left blogs is criticism for something they are to chicken to do them selves.
These kids are fighting for their future and yours kicking them repeatedly is just disgusting."
Oh please. These little shits don't even know why they are there. They aren't fighting for me, and they sure as hell don't speak for me.
Besides, what is the point of squatting in a public park? Really? What is it going to solve? What are their goals? How long are they going to stay there?
It's like watching a 4 year old throw a temper tantrum if you don't buy them the toy they want.
It's so stupid and pointless by now. The message has gotten out and is already in the minds of most people, so the actual physical encampment means nothing anymore.
Sooner or later, every Occupy camp will be busted up and these smarmy little art students will have to find something else to do with their time.
BerkeleyGirl on February 05, 2012 4:44 PM:
This piece is spot-on. It's way past time that Occupy focus on a central message. Early on, I read the trouble signs in a piece at Slate. An experienced union organizer showed up at Occupy Oakland, hoping to be help them, well, organize. He was totally rebuffed.
Last weekend's action exemplified their idiocy. Marching to occupy the Kaiser Center? There's good reason that the convention center is empty - it needs millions of dollars of seismic repairs which Oakland currently cannot afford. (My former hometown was hit far harder than San Francisco in the '89 earthquake.) Let's assume the marchers would have been successful in occupying the Kaiser Center. If anyone, as a result, was injured (or worse), due to lack of said seismic repairs, would Occupy have taken responsibility? Or would they have turned around and sued the city? I fear the latter.
charlie don't surf on February 05, 2012 4:53 PM:
Concern troll is concerned.
What is unclear about the message? The "episode" you refer to was the Re-occupy Oakland weekend. They specifically declared their intention to occupy an empty stadium that was fenced off from public use, and turn it into a community center. The real estate speculators that own the property would rather it be empty than put to any civic use. Remember, these real estate investors got tax breaks from the city and state government to build this facility. So the 99% subsidized the profits from the stadium when it was in use, and will end up subsidizing the 1% when they profit from the sale of that property.
But what really happened is that a demonstration showed what this is about: the powerful 1% using the police force to suppress dissent. The Oakland Police have been under a consent decree for 9 years, they agreed to oversight by a Federal Court so they would implement reforms. This oversight was caused by lawsuits that held the Oakland PD responsible for egregious abuses of peoples' civil rights. And due to the abuses during the Oakland riots, the Federal Court has declared that the Police obviously have no intention of implementing these reforms, so the Oakland PD will be "put in receivership" and placed under the direct control of the Federal Court. The evidence cited in this ruling was from their treatment of Oakland protesters. Oakland PD is prohibited from using beanbag guns and rubber bullets, so they just called in the Alameda PD and their guns, and claimed it wasn't them (even though the Alameda PD was under direct orders of Oakland PD). Also a specific incident captured on video was cited, a protester found an Oakland policeman with black tape over the name on his uniform. This was in direct violation of department rules, and was a blatant attempt by officers to avoid direct accountability, should they be observed violating anyone's rights. Even the Sergeant who demanded the Officer remove the tape was disciplined for not reporting the violation of policy to his supervisors. Only the video taken during the Direct Action showed the violation, and came to the attention of the court directly, when they expected it would come to their attention through Police channels, per their directives.
So you see, this "episode" can be a goal in and of itself. Its very existence highlights the brutality of the Oakland government and Police, and exposes it to public view. The government protects the interests of the rich 1%, and oppresses the 99%. Government power is derived from the consent of the governed. This "episode" proves that they have lost that consent, they are using power derived from the financial interests of the 1%.
Patango on February 05, 2012 5:22 PM:
And what have the conserva Clinton dems gotten or done for us/america ? A whole lot of nothing and the continued race to the bottom for the working class....
If your to frightened and lazy to go out and fight for it , at least have the courtesy to reserve judgment for those who dare to put it out there , any movement that involves humans is going to have ugly parts with warts , and corrections are always necessary when things get big and noticed ...
Sitting on your ass behind a computer screen is never really going to get much done , shutting down ports or institutions , european style , hurting the Walton family in the pocket book , and bring up the fact that 6 walton kids make 600 times more than their 6 million workers , while pointing out the goods all come through these ports from CHINA , can make a whole lot of people take a lot more notice ...
As far as any violence taking place , even a brief glance at the official OWS web sight will set anyone straight in that regard , so it is obvious who is familiar with it , and who is not...
As it is now , its just another boring day in Dickens america , so sit down shut up and eat your gruel...
Sorry Wash Monthly but this blogger is all over the place in every post , you might try and find someone who has come to even a slight conclusion on a subject before they post from one end of the spectrum to the other, all in one post ....It appears to be an 18 year old who thinks things like the civil rights movement were only put together for the purpose of getting a book/movie deal , so someone can become famous , short sighted and self centered ...
Another Steve on February 05, 2012 5:29 PM:
Out of all the groups who are doing or did stuff under the "Occupy" banner, Oakland's version is absolutely the last one I'd choose for the task of developing that "message" them MSM has been clamoring about.
OWS worked precisely because they refused to let themselves be forced into appointing a committee of Deeply Involved Serious Progressives to develop an easily mocked and mockworthy manifesto and laughably unrealistic two hundred forty seven point plan for fixing the wrold. The message of the movement was clear: "income inequality wrecked the economy and is wrecking democracy, so please, politicians who purport to serve us, kindly put on your big boy and girl undies and effing fix it!"
But, the thing that made it work also slapped an expiration date on the movement, the aggregation of a diffuse sense of grievance into a unified demand for attention to the existence of the problem, also put an expiration date on the movement. At a certain point, it was time to go home or risk shark-jumping degeneration into a cover for anarchist idiots.
It was inevitable that the Oakland crew wouldn't get that message.
JEA on February 05, 2012 5:38 PM:
I'm glad someone on the liberal side finally had the guts to call the Occupy movement what it is - a mess...
Michael Robinson on February 05, 2012 5:44 PM:
"Even the Sergeant who demanded the Officer remove the tape was disciplined for not reporting the violation of policy to his supervisors."
I'm confused.
Who was it who disciplined the sergeant?
Direct activists? Supervisors wielding government power derived from the financial interests of the 1%?
Who was it who created the policy the sergeant was disciplined for violating? Occupy Oakland? The powerful 1% using the police force to suppress dissent?
The sergeant being disciplined shows that the political system has lost legitimacy how, exactly?
Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, here.
SKM on February 05, 2012 8:43 PM:
Ah! That is where the problem lies. OWS has more than just ONE complaint. This country has been having lots of problems over the last decade(s). I think it is unfair to ask people to just have ONE issue addressed, when clearly there are many problems.
No! I'm not part of OWS. I don't pretend to speak for OWS. However, I see exactly where they are coming from. Again, to say for them to speak on one single issue is an insult. It's almost like when you go to the doctor and have one complaint, then you mention something else, and the doctor says, "Oh. You need to make another appointment." Especially when you've waited for almost a month to get the appointment. Then you sit in the waiting room for almost an hour, then the doctor spends less than 5 minutes with you.
OWS has many complaints, from trying to go to college without the heavy burden of loans, trying to get a job that will be compatible with their degrees, and to make enough money to pay back the loans. Complaints that the average worker is taking cuts to salary/benefits...while the CEO is making millions of dollars. They won't be able to buy a house, their friends/family have lost their homes. The price of everything is going up, but, salaries are not keeping up with the costs - fees, for instance BofA tried to raise fees.
So, again, there a numerous problems. Instead of people trying to bash this group, maybe they should listen and try to work out a solution.
SKM on February 05, 2012 8:48 PM:
I'd also like to add, this is also something that is usual in this country. Nothing is taken to heart until something gets out of control/hand then it is too late to deal with it. For example, teenage pregnancies, drugs, gangs...
SKM on February 05, 2012 9:06 PM:
Okay! Let's look at this another way. For instance, at a couple of Willard's campaign stops, twice, two different people asked him 'what he planned to do for the 99%.' These guys were met with, "Go back to Russia. Go to China, Cuba, Russia..."
I do agree, the 'MIC Check,' could be done away with.
On another note, I do think people should take interest if, some of these kids are homeless actually. It's sad when, for instance, Willard says to these protesters that this is the greatest country in the world because he's a billionaire and look someone in the face that is not as fortunate due to circumstances of outsourcing (no jobs), educational costs...to me, it looks like Willard is rubbing in their faces that he got his, they need to get theirs and it's not his problem. But let's take note, the poor does pay more taxes due to not having offshore investments, not enough to itemize their deductions, maybe not enough kids...
SKM on February 05, 2012 11:06 PM:
Okay! This will be my last comment on this matter.
I think that people need to look at this entire scenario. What if's. Meaning, if you look at other countries, including our own territories, the YOUNG people have left in order to make a life for themselves. So. What would happen if the OWS young people went to other countries? Would we be left like, oh, let's say, Japan, where it is rumored that it is mainly the elderly in that country? Or, let's just say, for the sake of argument, they leave to 'colonize' somewhere else much like the colonization that took place here.
bdop4 on February 05, 2012 11:23 PM:
While everyone is busy conflating Occupy Oakland to the entire movement, a lot of other areas have been effectively occupying foreclosed home and preventing banks from running roughshod over homeowners.
What Occupy did in a few short month last year was amazing. It basically sprang from nothing in NY and quickly spread to every major population center in the country. During that time a pretty large communications infrastructure developed and it hasn't gone away.
Occupying is regrouping and will return en masse when the national campaign begins. When that happens, people will have a choice: get off your ass and get in the 1%'s face, or stay behind your keyboard? I hope all of us choose the former.
RChard on February 06, 2012 1:24 PM:
The encampment thing should go away now. The point has been made, the dialog is up & running. They're overweening now -- their job was to start it, the rest of us are the ones who will finish it; if they ever thought otherwise they're naive. Change may start in the streets, but it happens in the legislature & courts. And nobody's coming to your camp to sue for peace. "Occupy" has put a convenient handle on the sheaf of economic grievances, I wouldn't mind hanging on to the trademark. And keep surprising the machine -- just let's try some other tactics, this one's getting tatty.
Wally on February 06, 2012 4:05 PM:
Kilmister nails what Occupy Oakland really is and Charlie Don't Surf - attempting to defend it - puts the nail in the Occupy Oakland's coffin.
There is an organized group of Bay Area and Northwest anarchists cum communists. Yes, I said organized anarchists. They produce little newsletters in the Mission District, sit in coffee houses in Portland and then they show up, break windows and assault police officers at liberal or progressive demonstrations. These are the spoiled brat/condescending descendents of the Weather Underground/Red Army. But without the guts. They smash shop windows, throw piss at cops and run away. They despise progressives and WANT to embarrass progressives and progressive causes. And they just wanna have fun.
Charlie hits the nail on the head by obsessing about the Oakland PD. The Oakland PD consent decree is NOT related to OWS but instead is a long standing LOCAL civil rights/budget issue between the liberal middle class in much of Oakland along with Asian immigrants and the African American residents of the demimated war zones of Fruitvale and West Oakland. This issue has been unsolvable for 30 years (ask ex Mayor Jerry Brown.)
But this non related issue in no way absolves the Occupy Oakland anarchists from intentionally trying to destroy the OWS movement because it is too bourgois.