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The following resolution was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011: RESOLUTION: Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Boston being the ancestral land of the Massachusett people; and WHEREAS, members of the First Nations have continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and to members of First Nations who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Boston” aspires to “Decolonize Boston” with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples; and Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite members of the First Nations to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent. We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land; and We hereby declare that Columbus Day should be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” |
203 Responses to “Occupy Boston Ratifies Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples”
I love it. Congrats!
Me too. Unfortunately, some people don’t understand that our country had serious issues of inequality before 2008. Some people don’t understand that oppressed communities need to be explicitly included in our movement.
During the Great Depression, a social movement won the New Deal, which gave people relief from unemployment, poverty, and social insecurity. But women and people of color were largely excluded from the benefits of the New Deal (housekeepers and farmworkers were excluded from fair wage laws and social security for example).
Let’s not repeat our mistakes.
Me absolutely not. Unfortunately, some people don’t understand that in order for this movement to get anywhere, it is going to need to include a much, much, much, much wider segment of the population than it currently does. That segment of the population is not going to come on board if they think that this is focused on the rights of indigenous people. Sorry, but that’s reality. We are going to need the support of racists, gun nuts, tea partiers, homophobes, evangelicals, xenophobes, and pretty much everyone else that progressives dislike. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN STAND UP TO THE FORCES ALIGNED AGAINST US. If you think a coalition of the usual progressive groups is going to change anything, then you are seriously deluded and perhaps should hop in a DeLoreon and go check out the year 2004 (or any other year really).
We’ve been through this sort of thing before. Progressive movements always end up losing focus and eating itself. These sort of distracting declarations undermined the anti war movement almost a decade ago.
Let’s not repeat our mistakes.
“We are going to need the support of racists, gun nuts, tea partiers, homophobes, evangelicals, xenophobes, and pretty much everyone else that progressives dislike” – Maybe consider joining the Tea Party?
– Maybe consider joining the Tea Party?
Maybe go fuck yourself?
The average employee of Goldman Sachs made $401,462.00 in 2010. This means they each made, on average, $3,300 while you clowns are sitting around debating resolutions about whether to be upset about the outcome of wars that ended 350 years before your parents were born. You guys are so effective it makes my head hurt.
Great point.
I’m actually Native American and I think this is retarded. Why are we now called “First Nations”?
I’m actually “Native Canadian” and the official term up here is First Nations. Why it’s suddenly being used here… *shrugs*
I agree with the spirit of the memorandum, but worry that the “renaming” of the holiday will turn potential supporters away. I think everything up to changing the name of the holiday is fine.
I love it.
@CP, Occupy Boston is a movement demanding change and challenging current structures, systems and practices in the U.S. I understand that it is important to avoid “alienating” supporters, but if we truly wanted to avoid “alienating” people, we wouldn’t bother occupying at all. Re-naming a holiday so that it reflects the true history of our nation is a step towards a more honorable, equitable and honest U.S. To say we shouldn’t suggest this change because it might “alienate” people is, to my mind, the equivalent of colluding with oppression because we don’t want to upset anyone who benefits from oppression.
(“Alienate” is in quotes because anyone who is not indigenous to this land is, by definition, an alien to it).
**We must be bold enough to define and demand the world we want.**
I am of Celtic origin. Celts are originally from eastern Europe. They migrated west and some wound up in Ireland. Are they indigenous to Ireland?
Too late. We Indegenous People have already changed the name of the holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day years ago
…also the name of the holiday is after just one person,it’s not Italian American Heritage Day.To use the cliche,trying to change a holiday named after Adolph Hitler,should there be such a thing,not so different from having one named after Columbus, after all, should not be insulting to Germans,but should be opposed by Italians as well and everybody,even Columbus’s family
…also the name of the holiday is after just one person,it’s not Italian American Heritage Day.To use the cliche,trying to change a holiday named after Adolph Hitler,should there be such a thing,not so different from having one named after Columbus, after all, should not be insulting to Germans,but Columbus day as a holiday should be opposed by Italians as well and everybody,even Columbus’s own family
Im for recognizing past as well as current injustices and reaching out in solidarity to the First Nations, but what do you mean by ‘Decolonize Boston’? I just don’t understand that part at all, its vague
great!
If you’re thinking about showing up in protest of the Columbus Day parade, DON’T DO IT!
The ‘North End Regional Review’, the community paper of Boston’s Little Italy, gave Occupy Boston a very good editorial comment in last week’s paper. And they are a staunchly conservative community.
The paper has gone out on a limb to recognize Occupy Boston and if you disrupt a tradition like the Columbus Day parade, you will alienate people who you might otherwise gain as supporters.
Don’t slap these people in the face after they came out in support of you.
I’m sorry, but you can’t be serious. They don’t deserve a kickback or a free-pass to continue a celebration that has perennially dehumanized the indigenous cultures of this country. I see what you’re saying, but no–no apologist attitudes.
kickback wasn’t the right word I wanted. I’m tired. Hopefully you get the point.
Oh, I am as serious as a heart attack.
Don’t alienate Boston’s Italian AMERICANS. The protest against Wall Street has traction. Focus on that.
These people are so lost and confused as to what the message is, they’re trying to fight on 142 fronts, all at once. Let them spin out of control and fling members off the bandwagon.
Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win!
How much buckshot can we drill into our own feet?
These broad declarations are continual proof that we are drifting farther and farther away from any cogent “Wall Street” message.
How about a resolution that clearly states 2 or 3 demands that have something to do with practical change on Wall Street? Change that will be guided by principles of justice.
In order to get anything done, you need a concentrated effort in a single direction, and I don’t see how this furthers a cause.
The intent is fine, but the rhetoric is getting pretty tiresome.
many other campers/occupiers/supporters believe that a ‘reply’ to the problems of wall street is for a later conversation. this movement has not yet decided what it wants to focus on and that is good. let it be for now. if you care so much about making the wall st issue the top issue, start speaking with people @ Dewey, start talking during GA. let your voice be heard, dont simply type a few posts and think you are driving the process. respectfully.
Agree with Henry K.
I’m of native descent and not foolish enough to pretend to speak for all my peoples, but don’t dilute the clear demands of the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Let’s rain on the parade! Who is with me?
I LOVE THIS!
This is all well and good, but this is the really the first thing to come out of here? Can we keep it at this is an inclusive movement, and get on with identifying some clear demands? I do not disagree with the statement posted above, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
I agree with Chesnut. There are more pressing issues a foot!
then go to Dewey and speak. we need that.
It is the same moral cowardice that allowed these people to bully this resolution through that allows this system to stay in place.
yeah… it’s so hard to be a white man. oh, the power…
some might consider it moral cowardice to be threatened by such a resolution…
Now this is just silly. The idea of decolonising, and declaring a new name for things. It’s a good way to loose all shot at any respectability as a movement.
Some of my Iroquois anscestors chose different sides during the first american revolution, and the league of five nations before that did not always agree to work together.
Invite and include. All first nations people are among the 99%. That is what is being dealt with right now. Heck I can even see discussions of alternative currencies as a means to cut the banks out of our survival. But that is a cooperative discussion idea, not a derail and reposition of energies and group mentality.
But try to focus on finding value in all the peoples of America, not scattering focus and mixing in entire other movements. Don’t confuse things.
All first nations people are among the 99%? What about the ones running casinos and fighting unionization efforts of their labor?
Number of Native Americans in the top 1% income bracket in this country: 0
QED
This is quite possibly the most important thing that happened on October 8, 2011, whether or not everyone realizes that yet. Only time will tell. There are still many who do not realize that this step is potentially the single most crucial, consistent, and effective action that has been or will be taken by this movement. The cascade of goodness that will come from this, if we stand strong and do not let ignorance, greed, apathy, and racial/cultural prejudice dilute or subvert it, will be beyond any of our expectations. Without this, the movement is as doomed as the system it is fighting.
Anyone who finds this idea in the least bit inappropriate or distancing might consider spending some time with First Nations people. Without that perspective, the objections to this memorandum of solidarity are both nonsensical and harmful to the integrity of the movement and everyone involved.
We have to take a stand, and this is the first step. We cannot pretend to seek justice without addressing this first and with persistent, committed enthusiasm. The Memorandum is not enough. We need to live up to this. It can’t be just words. We need to live in a way that has integrity with our past and our future.
I must repeat: whether or not everyone realizes it, history may remember this day as the turning point for America. And so, it is perfect that it should have happened in Boston, the city of the Revolution, the birthplace of the current political system. I am so proud of Boston that I wept buckets. Many minds were already in solidarity with Occupy Boston; today, it gained many hearts.
Treat anyone who doesn’t understand the importance of this the same way we treat people who don’t understand the importance of ending the wars or stopping the destruction of the planet. People are waking up at their own pace. Those who are already awake about something need to have patience with others. But do not let patience become lethargy, do not let ignorance triumph over justice, do not let anyone’s negativity tarnish in any way the bright spark of hope this has ignited. Cherish that spark as you would if you lit it with your last match, unprotected in a blizzard. It is that important.
The real birthplace of the “current political system” was Philadelphia or even Virginia…
Anyhow, I wept when I read Wounded Knee (So what)… this is still a side issue. No one’s forgetting anyone and trying to be “all inclusive” will ironically dwindle our numbers… There are plenty of organizations that deal with Native American causes and I’m all for them. That isn’t the issue.
Stick to the main point (if there really is to be one) and get things done. Seriously doubt that history is being made for the Native Americans with this resolution…
Nicely said. These people are so lost and confused as to what the message is, they’re trying to fight on 142 fronts, all at once. Let them spin out of control and fling members off the bandwagon.
If the main goal of the Occupy movement is economic equality, then the issues of racism and colonialism cannot go unaddressed. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the poorest communities in the US are on reservations?
Soo upset to see that the republicans no longer have a monopoly on letting fringe groups and interests dilute messages and undermine credibility. “Decolonize”? “Indigenous People”? I’m not even going to humor the argument. Your going to kill the movement with this nonsense.
I’m sorry, but including marginalized people in the struggle that they’ve been trying to tell you about for DECADES (centuries??), the one that you’re just getting hip to, is NOT nonsense. Listening to and giving a damn about an entire race of marginalized people is NOT nonsense, and this country’s Indigenous People are not a “fringe group”. I don’t see how the message “Save the Middle Class” (which, btw, is coming out the mouths of a lot of people these days) is a credible message, when a pretty big part of the 99% is not middle class (and that trickle-down theory is BS, as you know). How about “Recognize Everyone”?
Your not “humoring” (as though there were something comical or amusing about PoC wanting to be included for once) the argument speaks volumes as to what you will do with/for these marginalized groups if and when this movement has made headway. You will walk away and not look back. Please don’t pretend that you won’t. Your position, right now, is clear.
If people don’t like the way the GA is being run, I’m sorry, but you have to get out there and make your voice heard. If you’re not doing it, you better not be complaining about what the GA decides. GET INVOLVED!
@Laura- Unfortunately, many people simply cannot attend GA. This forum is their means to make their voices heard.
i have a job, 2 kids and a home – i found a way to make it down there once already and plan on going back. the reality is if you want to share you opinions you certainly may – but you have to be there. i agree that there need be a way to engage the many of us who are not able to ‘occupy’ but for now, this is how things are happening. the Media tent is doing a great job considering how little expertise/resources they have. if you want to impact, you have to attend. its the way these things go. respectfully.
@ Zane-I have been to the site on my day off for the last two weeks. I too have a job, home & kids. Unfortunately I also have a visual impairment that prohibits me from driving at night.
Every evening I get on this site when GA starts so that I can be a part of it in the only way I am able to. It bums me out every time that I am not there.
All I was trying do was ask Laura to go a little easier on folks who want their voices heard too.
@Zane
Are you serious right now? That is some real ableist BS coming from your fingertips.
I have agoraphobia. I have a panic disorder. I cannot manage crowds because I cannot process that much input. I literally CANNOT ATTEND without having severe panic attacks and ending up in the mental health rooms in the ER, and possibly ending up at a mental health facility until I’m stable again. Can I not speak on things, too? Is my voice less important because I can’t grab the mic?
I’m not trying to diminish the fact that you were able to make it down there, so please don’t diminish other people’s voices and opinions just because they actually can’t attend. Think before you say things.
I’d be more inclined to do that if it weren’t a complete waste of time constantly interrupted by pointless identity politics.
This declaration gets to the root of the whole problem. Which actually started with the cave man (not woman) because bullying won. Looks to me like the idea is not to gain influence or power by bullying, but rather by discussion and inclusion. If so, you have to include all the peoples who have been oppressed. When I use the word “bullying” I really mean using any power available to subdue and run rampant over the human rights of others, which obviously includes killing and maiming—because you can.
If we build off of this declaration there will be a seismic shift in this country. I applaud it, and found it very moving.
I agree, thanks for supporting us brown people!
I could not agree more!!
i agree columbus day is a totallly bogus holiday…and a slap in the face of native tribes….no doubt it’s relative to the rape and pillage of native tribes living in harmony on many lands…and the system that probagates it…how about a respectful peaceful perhaps even silent action that says we support your community and it’s humanity and heritage…but you’ve been misinformed about columbus and his for profit exploits…and while we know it is not your intention…celebrating columbus day is like waving a confederate flag on happy enslavement day…join with us and help us fix a system that deliberatley misinforms us in order to exploit all of our communities and resources…peace
What was done on this soil to the Native populations was horrendous. A little history is a dangerous thing. It’s commonly thought that tribes co-existed in peace and harmony, but that’s just not so. They had their own enemies and torture and wars before they were slaughtered by our superior weaponry and arrogance.
From the entry above:
“How about a respectful peaceful perhaps even silent action that says we support your community and it’s humanity and heritage.”
That makes sense.
Still, stick the point and we’ll actually get somewhere. If we waffle on a cogent list of demands, we’ll only become a blight on the landscape in South Station. And, now that the media is paying attention, why waste it on this?
By what you’re saying it sounds like your definition of the 99% does not include Indigenous people. Thanks for that support, it will get you somewhere. And by the way I have faith that not everyone is extremely stupid, so I don’t think everyone has the romanticized idea that all tribes lived in peaceful coexistence….who would be that dumb? (That’s rhetorical). I would suggest that you be careful what you say before you think about abandoning an entire race of people by suggesting comments like this as a good plan or method to apply to the movement.
While your resolution raises a valid concern, I’m worried that you may be radicalizing the Occupy Boston movement to the point where the 99% may dwindle down to another 1%. Don’t lose your focus (as many of us see it) of fighting for us as a unit, not as a bunch of smaller groups!
I think this is actually addressing part of the same problem that the movement is about.
What is the Occupy [whatever] movement about, fundamentally? Groups – corporations and a few very, very wealthy individuals (the 1%) – focused on economic gain above all other considerations, leading to harm to others (the 99%).
What was colonizing other lands about, back in the day (and still happening, in different ways)? Countries being focused on economic gain, and believing they had the right to turn people already in those lands into slaves, or to just kill them for getting in the way of expansion.
I’m not so sure how we’re supposed to “decolonize” places, though, and I don’t know that calling us “guests” really encompasses the complexity of the issue, either.
Yes, this gets to the heart of it.
This is beautiful! And, taps into a missing voice in the movement — the indigenous people. I have read a blog by a SW Native and watched a video from a Lakota man this week — both addressing Occupy Wall Street. They say — where are my people? They could help — include them.
On that note — I would encourage the general assemblies to consider things like asking for the inclusion of the ‘Rights of Nature’ in our constitution. Ecuador did this in 2008-09. Bolivia did this in April 2011. Turkey is looking at including ‘Rights of Nature’ in their constitution at the current moment. If America did this — it would be amazing. If natural processes, life, and such were protected and representable — corporations would not be able to cause death and destruction.
Lastly, for those of you that say that this statement by Boston might splinter the focus… Welcome to America. If you stand for anything, you splinter the focus. I feel that this topic is unavoidable. If we don’t mention the indigenous peoples and their history — then, we are ignoring the elephant in the room.
Great job Boston — see where this goes! Your intentions are good!
The only missing voices are the ones who don’t show up to be heard or don’t bother to correspond… There is no restriction at Dewey Square, everyone is welcome and it’s up to them to turn out.
support. the ‘place’ has been determined, if interested parties want to participate, they must be there now.
One word bothers me: guests. I’m offended by the notion that a person can be born in a country, live there and die there and still be considered a “guest.” This same thinking has been used to oppress people around the world (search online for a discussion of citizenship “jus soli” versus citizenship “jus sanguinis” and you’ll get my point). By the time this was approved last night, people seemed exhausted, so maybe that’s a factor. The one guy I know there who is actually a Massasoit Indian had even left the GA by this point. And by this hour, other responsibilities prevented me from full engaging the GA or I would have attempted to block this. Although backtracking or second guessing ourselves is generally a bad idea, this is a topic we should revisit.
Oh poor, poor John. I’m so sorry you’re feeling oppressed by Native Americans, it’s so hard isn’t it? Don’t take the guest idea so hard to heart, just look at it through another perspective, please? Sorry for the sarcasm at first but I sincerely think you should revisit your notions on the subject.
I’m not a guest in some country I was born in and probably will die in. I didn’t decide to be born here. You’re turning people off, like me. I was one of the first ones out there but I’m rapidly turning from unmitigated support to “good luck with that.” We know Columbus day is stupid, this sounds like 14 year olds arguing.
As anyone can see, I did not say I was feeling oppressed by Native Americans. I said something very distinct from that claim. If your own sarcastic tone made you sorry, you had the opportunity to change it before posting your comment. I’m always open to the possibility that I might be wrong, but when the person saying I’m wrong chooses to communicate in school-yard taunts rather than civil dialogue it indicates to me that I’ve probably taken a good stance.
(God this is such a cliche disagreement on the left but I gotta do it.)
My personal opinion is that this is a bad move. Not a bad idea in and of itself, but given the wider Occupy movement, it’s not going to be helpful. Why not keep the stories and causes at the individual level? We need the focus on them, not on us.
The Occupation across the country has been going well. Much better than I could possibly have hoped for. My heart is soaring. But this is nowhere even close to being near enough. We need millions more out on the streets. Millions and millions more. Otherwise this is going to be no different than when we protested the wars almost a decade ago. Are we asking for policy change or systematic change? Personally I’m asking for systematic change and in order for that to happen, the message needs to stay simple. Too much influence in the hands of the few.
We are the 99% is more than just a slogan. We are pretty much going to need that sort of number in support. Think about the amount of power that the 1% hold. Do you really think they’re going to give that up because a few million people walk down the street? We need 100 million out there. 200 million. Now is not the time for this memo. And yes, I recognize the complete ridiculousness of the notion that anything having to do with human dignity and rights should have a time that is anything other than RIGHT NOW. I completely agree that it is completely disgusting. But that is the nature of the system we oppose. It is ridiculous and disgusting. And that is why it is so important to build our numbers right now.
And by supporting Native peoples you will have more numbers, be careful what you say.
Statements like these are ego driven and myopic. Everyone has something to say, that doesn’t mean the entire movement needs to adopt the language.
It’s not an ego, it’s a fact that Native issues are so different from any other issue out there. Some people suffer more than others in the 99%. You’re not taking the time to look through my perspective…and even after this comment is read by you, I’m sure you’ll still see my words as hollow.
It’s not an ego, it’s offering an invitation to a people who are never included in these types of movements. See how much resistance you are already giving to this document? Did it hurt you somehow by offering solidarity to Indigenous Nations? It’s too easy to say everyone is included and then by telling them to shut up and just work because they’re included seems counterproductive. Some people suffer more than others, but these words are just hollow to you aren’t they? Not everyone in the 99% suffers in the same way, so by saying one method will fix all oppressions is just not the case my friend. I hope you will be my friend and take what I have said seriously, as a legitimate concern. If everyone was included, as you have said, why would I have the need to type this?
Also, the phrase “Decolonize Boston” should also have been either defined within this statement or excluded. It could mean building an apparatus whereby native people where assured representation in local government, which would be fine. It could mean we we’re insisting that everyone without a percentage of indigenous ancestry that we consider acceptable should vacate the city, which would be draconian, racist and just generally insane given out overall agenda (where the hell are these 600,000 already downtrodden people supposed to go?)
Typo fix “…given OUR overall agenda.”
COLONIALISM and the Occupy Wall Street Movements: COLUMBUS IS NOT A DAY!
http://cdb-tonatierra.blogspot.com/2011/10/colonialism-and-occupy-wall-street.html
“guests”??? Who invited you?
> I must repeat: whether or not everyone realizes it, history may remember this day as the turning point for America.
I will put a reminder on my calendar, for 5 years from now, and see how that statement plays out.
I can’t figure out how to remove a post (80’s technology I guess) so I declare it removed. Done.
I agree with the folks who think that this is silly and distracting.
Well if it’s so distracting why don’t you change your affiliation from the 99% to a lesser percentage? Because by not sincerely seeing what this document does you’re working against your own cause. I mean if you would like to detract and remove support for Native Peoples, be my guest. I’m sure it will help out in the long run. Maybe we should remove anti-racism as a goal too huh? Perhaps not take issues from Black communities seriously either? Because focusing on them would be silly, wouldn’t it? Re-evaluate your thoughts on this, please.
The black community already overcame so many obstacles. Their issues are non-issues nowadays. The only issue now is how to increase the white population to make it a white country again!
Dividing the 99% into special interest groups is what detracts and removes support. The 99% is already all inclusive. Regardless of heritage, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, political leaning, economic status, etc. That’s the entire point. The entire movement is already about including everyone. Everyone is already welcome. Why single out one group from thousands of diverse backgrounds? It’s not about not taking concerns seriously it’s about equally representing concerns. Singling out one concern above all others makes this the defining concern of the movement. Is this really why you think everyone is backing you?
I’ve got GOOSE BUMPS reading this! Bravo!!
Amen
The Italian-American community has been indigenous to Boston since the early 20th-century wave of immigration. Comprised primarily of working class immigrants, it helped build local infrastructure. Calling to attention this elementary knowledge, we ought to deem embarrassingly illogical any argument which posits that uniform, idolatrous worship of Columbus a.) exists, and b.) would preclude Italian descendants five centuries subsequent to the death of Columbus from supporting a working-class, nonviolent and rational movement toward sustainable living.
Maybe I have the wrong protest here. I was looking for the one which was protesting economic injustice, that is mostly caused by our politicians being owned by big business.
If this is not the right place I can keep looking.
Keep looking, indeed, for the interrelated bottom line issue called human rights. Where does big business find cheap labor? Slaves, Asian sweatshops, urban apartheid ghettoes.
If you think race and economic injustice are unrelated, you need to go educate yourself.
If you think making race a central part of the message is going to allow us to reach the critical mass required to change things, you need to pull your head out of your ass and get a grip.
Occupy Boston needs to be more careful about the statements it chooses to represent itself. This statement is very troubling, makes me reconsider what I am doing here.
Well if fighting racial injustice is troubling for you, perhaps you should not be a part of this movement.
I’m all for injustice of the Indigenous peoples. Dominate species win. Always. Hands down.
fighting racial injustice is not troubling for me, condemning citizens to view themselves as “guests” is.
@ John Legend: I ask that you try and understand from various Native perspectives how non-Native peoples can be seen as guests on this land. For existing on this continent for thousands upon thousands of years you would think that this very young country can be seen as a guest on Indigenous lands. Your city is on top of Native bodies, villages and places where these people still live. You and no one else are being “condemned,” the idea is not to evict you or anyone else, it’s just an act of recognizing the Indigenous Peoples of the area, who still live there and nearby, it’s protocol.
Hey Jesse, keep it up bro! Perhaps we shouldn’t! When that happens, have fun with the 4 percenters out there.
You’re right Jesse. I’ve decided this isn’t for me because of idiots like you. Good luck with your little camping trip. It’s not going to change a god damn thing and it’s going to be the fault of little ego maniacal twits like you.
i’m with you jesse!
I do realize that many indigenous persons don’t consider us “settlers” or “guests” but rather “invaders” and want no part of our BS system. That is TRUE to an extent–but it is also true that while my culture is not native to this land, I was born here and this is my home, too. And what of those who have settled here from other places but have come in peace? Not all of us are invaders.
So I have this dream that we come together and figure it all out together and make it better. I do feel as though we CANNOT do it without indigenous voices. I think our way of living is so far from realistic, so far from holistic, that it is too big a stretch of the imagination to think that we are going to solve this stuff on our own. Indigenous peoples KNOW how to live on this land, realistically and holistically.
Some of them would like to just sit back and watch us crash and burn–and who could possibly blame them? And there are those in our culture who don’t think about or care about indigenous peoples and their perspective. But there are those from both settler and indigenous cultures who truly want to work together. There are those of us who desire to make radical, positive change and know that indigenous wisdom is crucial to this process, and there are those indigenous elders and mentors who are willing to teach us children of the settler culture how to live on this land.
So to me it seems that the very FIRST and most important issue to be addressed in the revolution is this massive, traumatic, festering wound that has never been treated or even properly identified. How can there be healing when there has been no attempt even to apologize and try to start making it right? Everybody reading this, I humbly plead with you to make this a high priority and start talking about it with anyone who will listen. We can never heal the problems of the present until we start to heal the brokenness of the past and repair and rebalance our relationships with the land and with one another, whatever our cultural background.
If the focus is going to get bogged down by this one specific issue involving indigenous people, then you may as well just pack up and go home. There are very powerful forces aligned against us and if we do not focus on the issue that represents a true united front of the 99% then it’s over. Which is completely sad because it hasn’t really truly begun.
The root of the problem is an economic one, not an old spiritual wound left from colonist brutalizing and nearly destroying native people. The answer to the economic issues we face are not to be found on the running of modern native governments (reservations) or in ancient wisdom. The brutal truth is that there are +300 million people in America, under quasi-capitalist system, living in a quasi-capitalist world with another +6 billion more people. Not to put too fine of a point on it, but unless your solution to this economic problem is brutal genocide to the point where we can go back to living off of hunting and gathering, we can probably skip the ancient wisdom in terms of looking to how to deal with multi-billion dollar megacorporations.
Ignoring the brutal economic realities in favor of this wishy-washy statement that doesn’t even begin to make sense is a solid way to kill this movement before it starts. What exactly does “decolonizing” the Boston entail? Do we need kick out everyone without X% of native blood? This statement is either non-sense that means nothing, or as blatantly crazy.
Focus people. The national attention on OWS isn’t because _insert_your_pet_cause_here_. It has everyone’s attention for one and only ONE reason, economic strife. Accomplish something on the issue that has the focus and means the most to the 99% before disintegrating into the thousand and one sub causes.
This statement is just going to invite mockery and ridicule. It isn’t going to get anyone who wasn’t already here to come, but it will certainly make a lot of people who are suffering economic hardship and looking for answers dismiss this movement as a bunch of unfocused hippies who don’t know what they want and can’t accomplish anything.
Come on, just THINK about how it sounds to a normal person working two jobs (or no jobs!) struggling to make ends meat. Occupy Boston announces that the answer to your suffering is… warm words to the tiny fraction of natives that we didn’t slaughter, and “decolonizing Boston”, whatever the hell that means. Yeah. I bet the new converts will be lining up for that message!
The problem is economic. There are other problems in the world to be sure, but lets tackle just one for now, okay? If this is to be a national movement, we might actually need to stop for a few seconds and think about how we sound to the rest of the country. They want economic answers, not self flagellation over how their ancestors committed genocide.
Thank you.
Thanks. I am a tends to radical lefty, and my first reaction to this was oh, FFS.
Will Father’s Day be protested for the “Destructive and sexist Patriarchal system of fatherhood”?
Will The 4th of July be protested because only whites won their independence?
Will Flag Day be protested because the American flag represents imperialism?
Pandering to Native Americans and asking for their “wisdom” is really kind of patronizing….
The whole thing is sloppy, and it shouldn’t be. The focus was and should be on WALL ST., but now it’s a million little pet protests, which will destroy it all.
Dude, haven’t you seen Wayne’s World 2? Weird naked Indians are wise as hell!
With everything currently going on in the world, and with this movement, it’s shocking to me that this is an issue that gets a resolution. I think it is important to invite all groups into the discussion, but singling out one group – even in a positive manner – does not accomplish this. I appreciate what is trying to be done here, but I really think that this could have been done in a much better, more inclusive form. The wording to me is very ‘them vs us’ – I thought we were trying to move past this. Is this type of resolution going to be created for every minority group in the United States of America? In addition, to me, this type of resolution implies that groups have to be invited into the movement. I think this is a bad precedent to set. It was my belief that everyone was already welcome in this movement. To me, giving specific invites to specific groups implies that some are welcome and some are not. Perhaps a twitter mention or opinion piece would have been more appropriate than a resolution. A resolution carries substantially more weight an implies that all people involved in the movement hold this belief and that, to be frank with the wording, “and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries” are all descendants of white colonialists.
I recognize that this was discussed at the GA and there is an open invitation to attend the GA, but please keep in mind that if this movement is really about the 99% that the GA needs to take into consideration that they are part of a larger movement where not all voices are able to be present at 10:30am or 7:00pm for 3-4 hours every day. I actually think that the running of the GA is a larger issue that needs to be re-visited. The way the GA is currently structured excludes a lot of voices – people who work or have families are less likely to be able to attend and give voice to issues because of time constraints. Having the time to attend the GA’s to have your voice heard is a privilege. There should be other ways to give people a voice who do not have the luxury of time. It doesn’t help that many of the issues discussed in the GA are not issues of the broader movement, but of technical problems the over-nighters face while living in the camp. Obviously, these issues are important; however, not knowing what issue is being discussed when makes it impossible to know whether or not spending 3-4 hours at generally assembly will be relevant to the broader movement or relevant to where people should wash dishes.
Please remember that the GA needs to be very cautious about what kind of a message they are putting out there. This message, as others have already mentioned, is a troubling distraction and a perfect example of what news media could latch onto to derail this movement.
“Is this type of resolution going to be created for every minority group in the United States of America?”
Probably, yes. I’d love to see some liberal centrism creep into this lefty protest and try to convince us that we’re not all united against the monied class, we should be fighting amongst ourselves about which races and genders are bad to distract ourselves from our country being stolen, just like the 1% wants us to. Business as usual.
We will also be having a subcommittee after the GA to discuss which racial and gender identity is the realest and most authentic version of humanity.
Fascinating discussion — although I do not think people need to be in complete agreement to work together. Let’s find common ground… that’s where our power lies. I LOVE the idea of using this holiday for a teach-in to raise awareness of the cultural clash between indigenous and western European people and values… then and now.
In case anyone missed it: http://nycga.cc/2011/09/30/declaration-of-the-occupation-of-new-york-city/
on October 9th, 2011 at 4:07 pm #
[…] Copy: http://occupyboston.com/2011/10/09/occupy-boston-ratifies-memorandum-of-solidarity-with-indigenous-p… Category: Uncategorized Tag: memo, ref, regina October 9th, 2011 No comments yet admin […]
You know how long it took those people to carefully spread small pox on those blankets without getting infected themselves? I’m sticking with Columbus Day. Get a job, or get out of the country. The country you’re moving to will be happy, and the people in this country will be forver grateful!
What a profoundly foolish resolution. I’ve been watching Occupy Boston gradually degrade into a politically correct farce, at a time when the nation desperately needs to focus on the corruption of the government by Wall Street.
This is politics folks, not a literature class. You have to build support, not alienate a large part of the community. “Decolonize Boston”? Are you even remotely serious – what 99% do you represent?
What’s even sadder is to see the General Assembly process evolve into a body hijacked by its most radical members. This seems to be a sad repetition of history (e.g. France, Russia, Cuba), where valid and necessary demands are pushed to the side by more radical factions. No, I don’t expect the GA to be ordering people to the guillotine, but I do expect the GA to either come to its senses and represent the 99% of sane Americans or continue down its path to irrelevant and pointless identity politics.
I could not have said that any better. These people are so lost and confused as to what the message is, they’re trying to fight on 142 fronts, all at once. Next, they’ll talk about dog’s feelings are hurt by hugging other dogs. Let them spin out of control and fling members off the bandwagon.
well said.
Yes, the GA’s need to look out for ‘professional protesters’ like the ones I saw Thursday of last week. The ‘angry young man’ who wants to be the center of attention and define and radicalize the movement for his own glorification.
Agreed. Especially in a movement where the vast majority of people that need to voice their consent and participate in the movement cannot make every GA.
This was my biggest fear when this all started, and sadly it seems to be coming true.
History repeats itself, which is why you folks should study it rather than studying social justice.
Does this statement include the Cherokee Nation who just stripped the descendants of their black slaves of having any tribal rights?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/07/ap/business/main20117370.shtm
These people don’t have flaws like you and I do. They are not merely living and breathing complex systems subject to their environment and genetics. They are the carnal embodiment of realness. They never fought wars or ate meat, preferring instead to float in a perfect meditative state in large tents called “Injun Huts.” In addition, they are so proud to live AND so proud to die, a living contradiction for the paleface to marvel at. I am an incredibly white man, and I feel such shame in my heart when I think about my family members fleeing to this country in the mid 19th century seeking jobs digging canals because they were starving to death under the thumb of a colonial power. They were shocked to find out when they got here that they were really in America to kill Indians all day. Why, forefathers? Why? Why did you invade this great land?
Honestly, this resolution makes me so sad. That Occupy Boston could not ratify Occupy Wall Street’s statement of grievances, but can produce a terribly divisive resolution on a problem that is over 200 years old and completely besides the point plays right into the media’s stereotypes of Occupy as an unfocused movement that doesn’t even know what it wants. This resolution, along with the planned march on Columbus Day backing this resolution, is a PR nightmare. Where are the resolutions against the past conduct of Wall Street Banks? The resolutions for the problems that we are actually protesting? Has everyone’s donations, time, and hope been wasted on a group that is as wishy-washy as the news media claims? It has made me lose hope that this movement has enough focus on the problems at hand to actually make change.
Although the plights of America’s indigenous people are legitimate, it IS NOT the focus of what this movement is about. Everyone’s done such a good job not defining this movement, so why define it now with this? Be savvy, people. Whereas the media was ignoring you before, the whole world is watching now. Don’t blow it.
Very true. They’re risking it all by doing this.
Jesus Christ people, you might as well write Fox’s narrative about lack of focus for them. You look like a bunch of children if you protest everything under the sun. Prioritize your focus on the most egregious issues (preferably ones that are actually actionable to fix…) of the day and start there. The general public only have a finite amount of bandwidth that they’re going to devote to listening to your message, and when the signal to noise ratio becomes too polluted with random crap they’re going to tune you out all together. Same goes for the media.
I agree. I feel that focus will come with time, but it needs to be a higher priority.
Compromising what’s right and what’s wrong for the sake of professional propagandist liars who are more interested in making things up than finding out what we say anyway in order to run a better PR campaign is what will get us called cowards. And rightly so.
Why should we be willing to compromise the truth in order to attempt to earn the love of haters (which we never will do) instead of speaking truth to power in order to earn the love of the oppressed?
There is an infinite amount of things wrong with the world and people don’t have infinite amount of time to listen, so you have to draw a line somewhere, should O.B. issue statements every day on every mundane thing wrong with the world? The answer is an obvious no. Then you go from representing the true 99% who is disenfranchised with Wall St (a very focused and tangible thing) to a wayyyyyy smaller group of self selecting, self important people who are just writing a manifesto about all that is wrong with the world so that they can show everyone how smart they are (because at that point, your hope of actually affecting change is 0%).
And you’re right to an extent, the corporate media will get their narrative one way or the other, but take them out of the equation and the point is the same: the independent media and independent minded moderates who come to the site are still going to be overwhelmed by the random noise and confused on what is actually being advocated.
I’ll put it more simply, every time you add a new pillar of random B.S. onto your advocacy, your public appeal (and therefore potential to affect change) goes down:
Anti-Wall St?: Truly represents the 99%.
Anti Wall St + Random Columbus Day Rant?: Maybe 50%
Wall St + Columbus Day + Other Unimportant Problem Du Jour? 20%…
The point is to take back our democratic so WE can solve these problems through the democratic process. This isn’t the forum of ‘everything will be solved today’, it’s a forum of ‘let’s get our country back’. How we run it after we have it back is up to us. We will NOT get mass agreement by losing focus. Mass agreement is exactly what the 99% is all about.
Yup, any Columbus bashing that goes on will be front page material. And that equals bad news for OWS….
But, they made the big declaration on here, so it’s on them.
I like the idea of GA, but it is obvious from declarations like this that we are not going to be able to make successful declarations until more people attend the events. I would even say that GA should only focus on decisions that will include more people and get the organization of the camp under control. I understand that this topic is on everyone’s minds because of Columbus Day coming up, but we need to focus on INCLUDING more people, not the opposite. This movement will gain the most traction with what it started as: A call to arms against corporate intrusion into our democratic process and the stagnation and slippage of the middle class into the pit of poverty. Those two issues alone are enough to gain support. I personally spoke to 5 people who had negative views coming into the protests, and was able to make them feel positive about us changing the country. I did this with two ideas: Severing the connection between Corporations and Governments. Fixing the wealth disparity between the super rich and everyone else.
I’m also seeing people getting in arguments about their positions on this page. If we are the 99% we need to figure out how we can represent ALL of them, and not just some. We cannot make big demands without a big movement.
on October 9th, 2011 at 6:10 pm #
[…] is disorganized. Take a look at what the liberal hippy people did in Boston over the weekend – WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America […]
Its important to note that the founders were insistent on cooperating and prospering with the indigenous people. The founding of the republic came from the idea that man was made in the image of God and that conception wouldn’t have survived in Europe and so Nicholas of Cusa and Paolo Tosconelli recruited the young Columbus to carry the flag of Republican values and renaissance culture to the New World to unleash the “Noble Beast” in opposition to the slave system of Feudal Europe. The main conflicts between the settlers and the natives arose from British directed Jesuit-style destabilization efforts but there was full intention by those such as Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton et. al. to bring the native people under the wing of a Republic capable of protecting itself from the slave-mongering British Imperial System which now has moved on to economic warfare such as you see on Wall Street and in the City of London. The massacring of the Native people was to be lead up by Andrew Jackson, a known agent of the Aaron Burr and Van Buren faction, whom at the time were organizing the Northern Abolitionists and the southern Slave States to fight for succession which would have undeniably caused destabilization through pro-British Imperialist sentiments in the Slave States. It was done primarily with the intention of destroying the history of the United States to future generations, on whom they would push such liberal ideologies as Anarchy, Environmentalism, “Responsibility To Protect” (R2P Continual war doctrine of the past two Administrations explicitly). This Movement should focus on how American can be, as it historically has, the instrument through which true economic development and prosperity can be shared with the world, including those now starving in the horn of Africa… If America goes “back to nature” there will be no hope for those Nations to develop because we must lead the world out of this hell, and being the most powerful citizenry on the face of the earth I think we should, we have no moral right not to.
WAKE UP CALL….
Our time is limited.
How long do you think the city will allow Dewey Square to be used as a campground?
How long do you think it’ll take people to dismiss us altogether?
How long do you think the media will give a damn if nothing concrete comes together?
This discussion is a royal waste of time and passion (doesn’t matter if it’s noble or not). Either get focused or find another campground that will have us stay indefinitely… we just may need that much time.
From today’s news:
Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday the clock — and the city’s welcome — are running out on Occupy Boston…
Here’s the rest if you haven’t read it already:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1372041
I’m all for recognizing the contributions of first nations people, giving them a voice in society and honoring their contributions past and present. canada does this really well i think…or at least better than this country. but this document sounds a bit naive in that it seems to be romanticizing “the wisdom of the native people” and objectifying them.
i.e. “We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone”
i mean, whatever, indigenous people are part of the 99% that shouldn’t be something that needs to be explicitly said. and by saying “you native people so wise, you teach us white people what to do” i don’t really feel that is progressing to the next level where you want to be.
With no offense meant, I cannot imagine that you are very well informed about the wisdom you are speaking of, based on your dismissive attitude towards it. I encourage you to look deeper into that which you are dismissing as irrelevant before you make such a definitive statement.
You patronizing little shit.
http://larouchepac.com/node/19767
The focus you need is very well provided by the much demonized but equally great man whom i have been following the past years, his name is Lyndon Larouche. He has been right and he is right, and this bunch of kids running around with no prospective future and a fatal fear of authority have to consider what future will work! We need to act like adults now because the world needs us NOW! Acting like adults means knowing a leader when you see one and following when its the right thing to do. a Zero-leadership group will inevitably fail. The marching orders are there and we are at war with this system, this isn’t a game!
And its not just corporate greed its an international looting operation which is breaking down NOW, when their system breaks down they go for the kill so they don’t loose their grip on power… thats where we are NOW!
The union leaders will take over and use these poor kids for their own ends. They will come and hang out with the minions for a few hours then go home to their nice warm houses, then come back and give a fiery speech to keep the plebs going another day. Sad reality these kids dont know a thing about the history of how central planning is created. If they got their way we will end up like the Soviet Union and all the plebs standing in bread lines…go home folks and get a job and love your country, demand change via the ballot box.
I stopped by the LaRouche kiosk last week when you were handing out flyers about Glass-Steagal. (I asked if you were affiliated with the Occupy thing and you said No.)
Lucky for them the Herald didn’t snap a picture of your kiosk all decked out with the ‘Obama-With-a-Hitler-Moustache’ posters and put it on the front page. There wouldn’t be a single tent in Dewey Sq. today. (They were selling those things at the Palin/Tea party rally on the Common a few years ago. Is that where you got yours?)
If that’s how the LaRouche movement wants to portray itself, fine. It saves the rest of us time because ignorant bigots can be dismissed without a second thought.
I’m not in the Larouche Movement but thats pretty horrible that you would do that. They have the mustache on Obama because he’s a puppet of the empire we need to destroy and thats rather clear these days as he has bailed out the Banks more than anyone in history, has launched illegal wars surpassing the lack of concern for the constitution of even Bush and Cheney, and now he’s Blatantly killing American citizens without due process of Law.. FOR SPEECH CRIMES! I suppose you would still go to the plate for Obama on all that? Just like those rabid republican idiots defending Bush after 9-11 and defaming whole religions to make room for more 3rd world invasions. i can see you are part of the reason why this movement is only about the very few bullies who push through dumb ass amendments… Listen to what LaRouche has been saying for the last 50 years and you might understand what needs to be done but it proves you’re ignorant to look only from this false dichotomy of Left vs. Right because thats how they’ll have it before they bring this nation down to its knees, including you and you’re privileged college friends whining about your white guilt… grow up and make a resolution for Glass-Steagall and prove to all of those who are watching that this thing isn’t completely incompetent.
So this is what our future will look like if you folks are to accomplish your end game? No thanks! Bunch of kids playing Lord of the Flies. Go home, get a job and be productive. Maybe take a lesson on the history of central planning, socialism and its inevitable destruction of personal freedom. Cause this is how it always starts and thats where it always ends up.
How about you come down and show us what it is to be an adult? From the history of the last two generations very little has been done or said that kept our current reality from coming to pass. This resolution was passed because there are too many people staying at home complaining. Keep in mind, however, that even if this has been passed, it can be voted on again. Maybe next time the votes are cast you can be there to voice your view!
No thanks I have a job…and I prefer personal freedom rather than collectivism.
Today I went to Occupy Boston to learn from what I saw, no pre-conceived notions or expectations, honestly just to soak up the energy that surrounded me. I’m not political. I don’t speak political. When I walked around I heard group conversations about topics including anarchy, libertarian, socialism, and how many new Starbucks are opened each day. I went home sorry. What I was hoping to hear about was new ideas about job creation, benefit creation, incentives to encourage instead of dispair about the current status of our economy, and creating a dialogue about what the middle class is taking on the chin. What I heard about was fringe issues that I’m sorry won’t change the country’s job crisis. I’ll continue to attend the Occupy Boston GA b/c it cares a great deal to me, but please stop talking about fringe issues (i say that with all respect) b/c these are sea changes that are totally off-topic and provide fuel to those who wish to dismiss this movement, and I’m certain will not encourage a dialogue to make a change to the current situation.
Thank you very much for coming back. I understand your frustrations, but remember that this movement is in it’s infancy. It will take some time for it to mature into what it needs to be. Also, if you feel strongly about something not representing you, make sure you use your power to block whatever is being discussed.
Thank you for your proactive explanation and not defensiveness, b/c I understand what’s happening is still under construction certainly. I’m still very energized and I’ll be back, and try to focus the discussion on what is tantamount to the frustrations of the middle class.
Hear, hear. And yes, please do come back!!
This resolution feels divisive. It also feels like a departure from previous resolutions. They manged to be inclusive and acknowledge injustices without implying that one group or person has more or less of a right to be here than another.
Occupy together is keeping the world centered around economic and social justice. Occupy Keene discussed the need to remember that world is suffering in different ways via economic injustice and while we suffer in this country in many ways there are those we must remember who have no rights or access to water on their lands, indigenous people continue to suffer world wide through actions like the privatization of water and other resources located on lands that belong to tribal entities. Let us continue to Occupy Together for unity with regards to economic and social justice, WE ARE ALL THE 99% WE MUST ALL OCCUPY WHEREVER WE CAN FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN.
The fact that Wall Street corruption sparked this movement does NOT mean it is the be-all and end-all of the movement. This cannot be a single-issue movement, because the situation is far too complex to narrow it down to a single issue. This memorandum gets at the heart of what is wrong with the system, of which the Wall Street corruption is just one symptom, not the disease. Don’t get distracted by the symptom. Even if a symptom is what brings us to seek attention, the focus needs to be on healing the whole. Wall Street corruption is a symptom. Don’t get distracted by Wall Street. It is not about Wall Street! I am glad Boston GA understands this well enough to ratify this memorandum.
Then rename the movement because if it isn’t about Wall Street, then it’s about a million grievances. Frankly, we don’t have the luxury of time. The media loses interest, the public loses interest, and those who are expressing their frustration in this thread will eventually lose interest. I, for one, find it difficult to get behind a politically correct agenda that seems to be driven more and more by white guilt. This is the same leftist crap I’ve heard for over 30 years while living in Cambridge, MA. Doesn’t mean it’s bereft of truth… but it is utterly beside the point. We don’t have time…
The complaint from NY was “Where’s the media?” Now that we have the media’s ear, we’re not filling it with anything worthwhile. I’ve worked in journalism and I know that the attention will go elsewhere and we’ll wind up with a solid core of 100 true believers and the only mark we’ll leave on this country will be a little stain located somewhere on Dewey Square.
I agree. Several of our family were there from day one. We gave it time, we helped and we participated. We saw first hand if you disagreed or had a different opinion from the group you were either booed off the stage or “hurried along” with the little hand signals. In the least you were marginalized and ignored. We witnessed this with our own eyes. Your movement isn’t about the 99%. It’s about the percent that goes along with the bigger agenda. That agenda seems to us to be entirely left wing directed. We see this through, Unions(this was NOT put up for a vote either btw), George Soros, MoveOn.org, Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Cornel West, etc. Including the thumbs up from Nancy Pelosi, VP Biden, and Obama. You know the saying “If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be a duck”. This along with the constant fracturing of the message of the 99% vs the 1% with all your pet projects. Don’t forget, the 99% includes capitalists and rich people too, so displaying signs and chanting about taxing the rich while walking down Newbury Street alienates plenty of the 99%. Not everyone can join the party @Dewey on a nightly basis and speaking from direct experience, you do NOT represent us, and we ARE in the 99%, just not yours.
There’s no need to “rename” anything. This isn’t Occupy Wall Street. This is Occupy Boston. We do things our own way up here. The Yankees fans can get all single-minded if they want, but it’s nice to see that we haven’t fallen into that trap.
wall-street IS the disease, we have the opportunity right now while they’re in their last dying breaths to kill them before the whole system blows out and takes us with it! GLASS-STEAGALL would have been an appropriate resolution. this movement did it in NY and we can only be successful if we have one single Iron fist the country-wide. There are currently only 2 massachusetts co-sponsors we should have them all if any of these so-called democrats still know who Franklin Roosevelt is!
I guess Time magazine was right, we are all Keynesians now. This is how Socialism arrives and the loss of all our freedoms. Someone will rise to the top with promises of collectivism and before you can blink all our freedoms are taken away and the police state begins…then we have North Korea or at best the USSR. Hope you guys dont mind standing in bread lines during the winter. Do everyone a favor and dont procreate, good Americans love liberty…
PeacefulP… I agree… without any unity between all of the Occupy movements the message and strength of the movement is diluted. I have no idea why this is so hard for people to understand. It doesn’t exclude anyone or anything. It’s disingenuous to say that the Boston movement is unrelated to New York since it wouldn’t be in existence without New York.
Gertrude Stein was right…
There are a lot of people who’ve donated a lot of food, clothing, tents, electronics, medicine, clothing, time, and even money to Occupy Boston, and they haven’t done it because of Columbus Day. They’ve done it because our country has 9.1% unemployment, massive under-employment, a huge wealth disparity, and a political process that is completely beholden to monied interests. Are Columbus Day and the US government’s treatment of Native Americans total bullshit? Yes, of course they are. But that’s not why I spend every day I can in Dewey Square, and it’s not why this movement has sprung up at this historical moment. We owe it to all of the people who are supporting us to try to get this right.
exactly. *exactly*.
Off the deep end we go.
Is there NFL and NHL in this New World Order?
on October 9th, 2011 at 10:33 pm #
[…] Fuente: Occupy Boston […]
What I see here is the seed of the creation of a new society. This statement starts from the beginning, setting the new society in motion on solid footings of truth and justice. I like the fact that the movement is unfocused because it scares the shit out of the 1% to see huge crowds with diverse needs and demands. And even more frieghtening, the crowd is organizing itself to meet its own needs what with their food and medical and legal facilities, etc. The thinking that we should have some talking points or grievances to address with the 1%, if it should be their pleasure to entertain such notions seriously, would be a concession of our illegitimacy. We don’t need their consent to make bold statements of truth and justice. This action has great depth and wisdom if one can understand it from beyond the narrow scope of dollars and prime rates and elected officials. This is real of-by-and-for work. Get out there and participate!!
I can appreciate your enthusiasm… really can… but these are not huge crowds… and an unfocused bunch of people is exactly what the powers-that-be desire. Right now, they’re laughing. They’re not frightened. Doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of promise… but let’s not delude ourselves.
Also don’t scoff at “narrow scopes”… that’s the only way to proceed in the public eye. Simplicity is a virtue and all of the fringe elements will prove to be more destructive to the movement than constructive.
The prime mover behind this movement was Wall Street, corruption, etc. I don’t see how ignoring the big picture does any of us any good. Truth and justice are eternal qualities and, hopefully, inherent in all of us.
… forgot to say that all those talking points and grievances that the mainstream media is trying to tease us into clarifying will be addressed, and spun, and placated to make most of us go right back into our glazy-eyed, hyper-materialist cocoon. Again, the wisdom of this statement is that it requires no “higher power” to legitimize it. It does not petition the congress to take action. It makes the statement *as* a congress, which is exactly what it is. This tactic will succeed by the simple action of SHOWING UP, all 99% of you. (Yes, that means YOU, mister or miss uncomfortable-with-this-statement.)
I don’t think every member of the 99% could fit in Dewey Square. Even if we used the plaza.
Losing sight of our priorities are we? This is what is wrong with today’s Left. Rather than come together on a core set of issues, we let fringe causes take over and water down the debate. So we’ve gone from cracking down on corporate greed and the ills of unfettered free market capitalism to apologizing for colonists who have been dead for 300 years?
Focus, people!
…and enough with the fruity hand signs! Protests need noise! This is beginning to remind me of the South Park ‘Hippie Jam Fest’ episode.
If the Labor movements of the early 20th century had used these tactics, we’d all be working 60-hour work weeks for $3/hour now.
At least you would be working…
It’s obvious from your comments about the rest of us ‘getting jobs’ and your posting of videos from Friedman about why ‘greed is great’ that you have no intention of contributing useful discussion towards changing our current situation. The video you posted simply promotes a continuation of the things that have been ruining us. Friedman was wrong, take a look around.
I am involved, yet I still have a job and live quite comfortably. I know that our system is failing our country, and ignoring this any longer is going to end in disaster.
That is because this movement is a joke. The Tea Party already exists to do just what you want…change the government so that we may save this country. Small government, less taxes, less spending…simple message. Sorry the Tea Party doesnt want to change the name of holidays…I know, a very important thing! haha
If the Tea Party hadn’t gotten hijacked by the GOP I would be in the tea party movement already. Unfortunately it was hijacked, and I was not able to continue supporting it.
If there is something that you think we are missing that the Tea Party has, come down and tell us. I’m sure there is enough commonality between both groups for all of us to make the necessary demands OUTSIDE the political system.
The reason I say ‘outside’ is that the whole system has been hijacked, and until it has been reformed we cannot expect to go through normal channels.
I understand your frustration Hayek, especially with this ratification, but please try and be constructive here. It looks to me like you appreciate the Tea Party message, but have been unable to understand the similarities. If you are feeling alienated by this group come down and be present (When you are able to). We need you there.
The Labor movement was petitioning for redress *within* a (perhaps, somewhat) functioning, uncorrupt system. I see this movement as something different. The problem cannot be solved from the same level of thinking that created it. (Quoting some guy what was remarkably intelligent.)
Milton Friedman on capitalist greed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
The system that the labor movement was petitioning was functioning and uncorrupted? An awful lot of labor organizers who were killed by union busters or framed from crimes that they never committed then sentence to execution would beg to differ.
I am only a momentary observer. Here are my observations.
I admire the people who are willing to sit through the consensus building process. It looked difficult and time consuming.
It seems natural to worry that if things don’t move beyond the consensus building there may be the type of dead ends and splitting and squabbles that were characteristic of earlier movements. However, I trust people to think things through. It makes sense to me that progress will be slow.
I have no idea what worked in earlier movements. I hope that people will study that and consider it and consider revising their process accordingly.
I don’t see that in the early stages of a movement there is an alternative to long digressive discussions because you do need to have a process that is inclusive.So what is the alternative? The old style of organizing with coalitions and so forth could be a dangerous trap. Yet, I do not see a good alternative that doesn’t include a lot of voices. So it will naturally be a messy process.
I want to have hope and trust the young people to figure this out. I hope the young people will lead and innovate and figure out how to work out a movement that will accomplish the things they need because I think a lot is at stake for them. I am very concerned about the future for people just starting out on their path to adulthood. It would be amazing if everyone harmed b the lack of democracy and their own lack of power would join a movement. No statement. memo, etc. can accomplish such a large thing.
So people writing comments here–if you are not happy with the content of some memo, etc. you are being very silly if you write off the whole thing. The other people who share your difficulties and overall situation are really the only tool you have–if you write them off because they don’t adopt a specific political platform or share your beliefs, you are throwing away the strongest tool you have to make change.
You have to work with other people to get something done–the point is that people are coming together, isn’t it?
There might be a way to reach out to people without having resolutions and so forth. It might work better if no one can pin down what you are about in a precise way. So there might need to be a new path or structure of organizing–maybe some way to make it clear that memorandums are not what this is about.
The negativity in comments on this website is unfortunate. It seems premature to expect a disparate group to arrive at some soundbite everyone will get behind. A lot of people are looking to these occupy movements to get something going for the future so we can all work together for a better society, one that works for the 99%. I hope that people on the sidelines will be patient while issues get ironed out.
You people who are doing the hard work in Occupy Boston of coming up with ideas, please don’t feel trapped by past styles of organizing. Consensus can be good but what if it doesn’t work long term in motivating people to stay connected and work together or figure out what to do? Then consider something else. You can be the innovators, and invent new organizing strategies. I hope you can be innovative about the process as well as about the ideas.
For now, I am really grateful people are willing to do this work because it’s something we have desperately needed for a very long time and there are many people who are looking to you and hoping we can work to support one another to get a more just society that benefits more people.
So thanks.
I wasn’t sure how much all the Occupy places were working together. The Occupy Wall Street site has some pretty cogent comments:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/proposed-list-of-demands-please-help-editadd-so-th/
http://occupywallst.org/forum/our-turn/
Just an idea I want to propose:
A mass suicide. Hear me out!
This action would display that death is a better option than living through this travesty. If we really are passionate about this cause, this fight, nay, this battle, then we must go to extreme measures to win it! I for one am willing to go to such measures and I ask others to join me. If you love what this country stands for, then you will join me!
I propose that we stand across the bunker hill bridge holding hands @ high noon, thousands of us across the span, and simultaneously jump. We will rest assured that this is the most powerful action we can take, and should it not be successful in changing this land for our children and future generations to come, then God save us all.
Guess they didnt bring enough weed to the party?
I knew Columbus Day would be a problem for this protest. The smart move would be to remain silent and treat it like any other day, not celebrating it, nor denouncing it.
But sure enough, you’ve gone and renamed it! It smacks of dorm room P.C. babble.
There are enough legitimate targets to pursue other than a lower-tier type cultural holiday.
Let the Italians and others so inclined celebrate the “great explorer”. That’s how he is viewed by those that revere him. Is it a myopic view? No doubt. But why antagonize potential supporters when you don’t need to?
The Occupy protests have been criticized for lacking focus.
This would be a prime example of that viewpoint.
Protesting a guy who died 500 years ago is so off point, it’s ridiculous.
Good work guys. Goldman Sachs is really shaking in their boots now.
Yes, just outstanding. a brilliant thing to do with your Columbus Day thing. Now that you’ve pissed off the Italians for no good reason, where to next? If you’re here in March I guess you can come to South Boston and protest St. Patrick’s day. That’ll take care of the Irish. There’s a large Russian community right on the Green Line out Brighton way. HOO BOY, I bet you could come up with something to offend them!
(Don’t forget about Black people, Latinos and Asians!)
For people who object that the memorandum about Indigenous People’s Day is off-topic:
The vast majority of conversation at Occupy Boston is about the economy, economic inequality, its causes, and what to do about it. That is the focus of this protest. And the conversation around this topic in my experience has largely been intelligent, informed, and cogent, despite the presence of differing viewpoints and. Anyone saying the protest is unfocused is not investigating enough to find out what the focus is. However, the Occupiers also understand that the issues facing our nation and our world our multifaceted, that there are many connected symptoms of a larger cultural problem. Corporate greed, disrespect for the environment, racial inequality, the lack of real healthcare, etc. are all intertwined and spring from the same problematic system. When this fact is simply declared without being explained, it may sound to some like hippie nonsense or conspiracy theory, but it makes perfectly good sense if you look at the facts.
To spend one meeting talking about solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and making a statement about Columbus Day when that day is approaching does not mean the Occupiers are entirely losing their focus. It simply means they are taking some time to address a related issue and make a statement about it. This happens in Congress all the time, to draw one already slightly tired parallel. People are very quick to draw a kneejerk conclusion about incoherence and write off the whole thing, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. And although it would be a mistake for this movement to try and fix everything that is wrong with the world at once, it would also be a mistake, and against the spirit of the whole enterprise (which, it may be said, is about modeling true democracy and amending dysfunctional worldviews in addition to being about developing specific solutions to our economic woes) to focus myopically on only certain facets of what is wrong with the country today, and settle for a band-aid when what we need is major surgery. To become upset that part of the conversation touches on an issue that you personally don’t care about or frustrated that it is taking too long to reach consensus is to miss the point, and frankly, exhibits one of the symptoms of our national sickness, namely, impatience. We are addicted to the quick fix and the easy explanation. Both these things are illusory. Real democracy and real progress is neither quick nor easy.
I don’t think it’s off-topic, but it’s a huge distraction. I am starting to wonder how much Brandon-Darby-type influence might be going on.
It seems that right at the moment when you have broad popular support, and people inside and outside clamoring for something concrete to put forward as a goal (like reinstating Glass Steagall, or curtailing corporate campaign money), the statement that comes forth is about indigenous peoples.
Surely you can understand that this is what the 1% wants: distractions.
The Congressional Declarations are just as much a joke in the government as in this GA. Except we pay our Congress critters to waste their time making announcement that have no affect.
The hearts are in the right place, but nobody cares when Congress does it and nobody is going to care when we do it.
And speaking of distractions, I thought I’d pop to Dewey this afternoon. But I noticed from your calendar that today’s teach-in topic is: Palestine. This is another distraction. I agree that people should learn more, but who decided this was the right time and place? Why not a teach-in about how the federal reserve works?
They don’t have a teach-in on the federal reserve or on anything relating to “Wall Street” because nobody taking part in this thing has any g-d clue how any of that actually works.
If you have not been to GA, watched a llivestream or read minutes, then you don’t understand what is happening here. You are imagining something based on your own preconceived ideas, agendas and subjective observations, *which are valid*, and desperately need to be included in the process. You need to SHOW UP! You will then understand why this statement is of great importance, why there will be more statements ranging across many subjects (not just financial), and why the mainstream’s much sought sound-bitten talking points do not matter. This is how democracy evolves.
… and by “mainstream’s much sought sound-bitten talking points” I am referring to the mainstream media, i.e. the 1%.
Maj, with all due respect, you have no idea how important a successful public relations campaign is. Why do you think politicians stay on message? They have spokespeople, organization… even if they don’t stand for a damned thing, they at least say that they stand for something. A movement has to stand for something and it has to speak with clarity. The idea is to beat them at their own game. There was this whining about “no media attention” and now that it’s here we have absolutely nothing coherent to say.
Having a message is not limitation. Having a message can shine a light on everything else concerned. A public relations campaign is an end to itself, it’s merely a platform that the public can digest.
The statement on Indigenous Peoples is a coherent message. If you want the entire movement to have a single coherent message, then you may have misunderstood what is going on. Democracy does not have a single message. It’s multifaceted, complicated, messy and has diverse needs and demands. Take all the people in the country and try to boil their views down to a coherent message. Can’t be done. Don’t even try.
God bless you people for this.
Well done Boston! As one born in Massachusetts these sentiments are so dear to my heart; Thank you for having them, stating them, owning them. I hope we can follow your example to decolonize Los Angeles!
I think we should focus only on things we can be sure represent the lower 99%. basically that we want more money and think that 1% should have less. if we bring on other causes then we cant say we represent 99% of americans.
The Tea Party needs to get involved more and get the STOP THE LOOTING AND START PROSECUTING mantra as the core issue. Using this movement as a soapbox for every single social issue is getting tired and people are getting bored. The novelty is wearing off more and more with all of these tangential announcements.
The Tea Party stands for Small government, less taxes and less spending. If you guys want that then join the Tea Party…otherwise the Flea Party movement will die in the winter as people will get pneumonia 🙂
The following post was copied and pasted from the 10/4 Internal Solidarity Statements Comments. Credit goes to “Mark”, it seems worth re-posting.(hopefully, this is ok with Mark)
” I think it would have been better to say that “We are the 99%, and while we know that we’re not all perfect, and that we are not all even very nice, we are together in this cause. Let us put aside our intolerances, misunderstandings, and bigotries aside and focus on the problems we are trying to face. While we are together, try to understand, respect, and even value others who you may feel, or may have felt wrongly about, and realize that we all hold some common values that bring us together as citizens and people with power.”
Wow. I kind of love this. I know it’s my feminist duty to hate everything, but fuck. This is well done.
Yours in resistance,
Ashley.
Fuck it. Despite how much I dislike this memorandum, I’m still coming down right now to help hold that site.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1993415004060&set=o.277220795639539&type=1&theater
Cynicism nothing more than a way to be fearful and to cop-out. It solves nothing. It shuts down conversation. It subverts understanding. It is cowardly behavior.
What matters to you? Are you loved? Does someone care about you? Do you care about someone? Do you ever stop to realize the miracle of your life and your consciousness?
I care about you. Please be well.
on October 11th, 2011 at 3:46 pm #
[…] events with its recognition of the importance of the colonial question in North America and its Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, I also noted elsewhere that the extreme hostility that has been leveled at many of the […]
I’m really distressed that so many people — privileged people, or privilege-identifying people, obviously — are considering this to be a waste. No person/people are a waste. First Nations people are not a waste. They are not a lesser issue just because they’re not your issue.
This goes for any people who you continue to ignore. Stop treating us like our problems — which are very real — are beneath your notice. You say this will divide us. If you are not including us, we are already divided.
It is a waste if no one shows up because they think you are a bunch of hippies who don’t know up from down. What would you rather have, a successful campaign that upsets the current economic order, or sit around patting each other on the back for how inclusive and pure you are. Pick one, because you can only have one. Either OB makes statements about how they want to “decolonize” Boston (whatever the hell that means) and look to natives for their earthy wisdom (as if being a few hundred years removed from the last hunter/gathers imparts magic earth wisdom), or they FOCUS on what the source of power for the Occupy movement is.
The source of the power for the Occupy movement ISN’T from the American public suddenly realizing that they want a leftist PC government. The source of power is from people being pissed about the economy and absolutely NOTHING else. If it isn’t about the economy, they don’t give damn.
There is the smallest of windows open where the broad American public that is normally centrist or right of center is feeling lost and looking for answer elsewhere. The people that swept the Republicans into power in the house and senate are suddenly lost and looking at the Occupy movement for answers. If you give them something of worth, they might take it. If you give them incoherent babbling about “decolonizing Boston” and rant about hundred year old genocides committed by people who have long since rotted in the ground, and how we need to look to natives for wisdom, they are going to decide you don’t have any answers. Your moment in the spotlight will be gone, and you can all go back to being marginalized and complimenting each other on your purity and inclusiveness.
If you want to be inclusive, spend a few seconds to consider how this looks from the perspective of a person working two jobs and looking for answers. This is the average American who doesn’t give two shits what happened a few hundred years ago and wants food on her table for her children now. She isn’t going to go “Ah-ha! What a brilliant and inclusive statement! Here are the answers that voting for Scott Brown didn’t bring!” she is going to go, “holy crap, these hippies don’t have a damn clue what is going on”.
For people that talk about inclusiveness, you seem blindly unable to see the world from the perspective of the average American that is reaching out to you for answers, and this utterly nonsensical statement proves it.
Focus people. You have a very very short window where the nation is looking your way for ECONOMIC answers. Don’t screw it by dumping junk like this on the front page.
Léonard P , nous sommes de tout coeur avec vous, votre situation nous boulversent , sa lenteur, cette attente, c’est franchement déguelasse !
nous vous embrassons fort !
Isabelle
FRANCE
SUD
Forgotten People of the Navajo Nation stands in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples of Massachusetts and supports your Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
OK this is very good news, but one of these items, I don’t know where this Indigenous People’s Day on Columbus Day is coming from. That is like saying you will have Jewish Heritage Day on Hitler’s Birthday.
Indigenous People’s Day – yes! Let’s have that. But not on Hitler or Columbus’ birthday, no, absolutely not.
What is called Columbus Day can be Indigenous Resistance Day, it can be Genocide Memorial Day, but it does not celebrate the people that the madman and killer Columbus and his people murdered.
Thanks.