Remember when we, as a nation, have come together in visual symbolic ways? Remember the flags all over the nation after we were attacked? It moves people's deepest emotions to support a unifying message in solidarity.
I love this movement. I watch it, read about it and want to be a part of it so badly. I also have a busy life, that I must live, to keep home and family happy and healthy. I can't even make it to all the Occupy Denver many times. I am a little obsessed about this movement too, because it says everything I have been wanting to scream for so long.
I have a passion for messaging and I think I have found a way to both, participate and message, in an effective way.
I am going to my local thrift store and buying t-shirts. I will write things on them in fabric paint that I have sitting around. If I don't have that, or it has gone bad, I shall find a sharpie, and write one of several messages on my t-shirts. I will wear them to the store, and whenever I can, as I am out and about.
I am also going to make a cardboard or old plywood sign for my front yard. We recycle everything we can, including old yard signs from campaigns, so I can use the metal framework and make my own sleeve to advertise my support. I may even try to occupy some downtown median real estate, and keep planting them after CDOT takes them away. I am a rebel, what can I say?
I hope you will do something too. Using a message that is tailored to your state, neighborhood, street, is an effective way to get conversations going.
My advice is that when you do, instead of focusing on the political progressive aspects, appeal to personal situations. Everyone in this country has suffered in some way. When you touch someone's pain and show you understand it, it makes them see your argument in a different light. Perhaps you can agree that the country need jobs, and the banks committed fraud and have not been prosecuted.
Start there.
Listen carefully and they will tell you their pain and you will know how to touch them and include them in this movement. Help your friends and family understand, whether they like it or not, they are the 99%.
Perhaps we can spur great things. But right now we need to inspire our neighbors to join us.
I would love to see if we can't brainstorm some other good ideas for people to support this effort without being able to actually Occupy Wall Street. I do not want to buy anything new for this. I only want to use thrift store items or things I collect from recycling or garbage.
We Are The 99%
I Support Occupy Wall Street
All Day, All Week, Occupy Wall Street
Move Your Money!
What other ideas would work to support the movement and help include more people?