Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
I grew up with protests against the Vietnam War leading off the 6:00 news every night. Kent State wasn’t just a couple pages in a history book; I can remember the horror and shock I felt when it happened. That our own military (Ohio National Guard) could fire live rounds at unarmed college srudents was impossible for this very young boy to fathom. Now I find myself wondering if we’re destined to see history repeat itself. Will this generation have to endure it’s own Kent State moment before we wise up? When will we realize that those charged with protecting us are really only working for the interests of the oligarchy and those who profit from the status quo? At the risk of sounding like one of those long-haired hippie America-hating radicals so many Conservatives have convinced themselves are the majority of protesters, I’m concerned. I’m concerned that it’s becoming easier to repress dissent than it is to have an honest, open discussion about the systemic problems that the Occupy Wall Street movement is focusing on.
I’ve found myself really hoping to branch out and begin writing less about politics and more about life these day. Unfortunately, events have a way of overtaking and overwhelming the best of intentions. Now I find myself feeling honor-bound to speak out. I’ve always believed that writing can be a way to bring change to the world. If I don’t live that belief- especially now- than I’m every bit as hypocritical as those on the Right who woke up on third base and somehow convinced themselves they hit a triple.
Lord knows it’s time for things to change….
WASHINGTON — On Friday, a group of University of California, Davis students, part of the Occupy Wall Street movement on campus, became the latest victims of alleged police brutality to be captured on video. The videos show the students seated on the ground as a UC Davis police officer brandishes a red canister of pepper spray, showing it off for the crowd before dousing the seated students in a heavy, thick mist…. “The UC Davis students were peacefully protesting on the quad,” wrote the student who took the videos in an email to The Huffington Post. The filmmaker, a senior, asked that his name not be used for fear of retribution by campus authorities. “The cop gave them 3 minutes to disperse before he said they would come and disturb the protest. The main objective for them was removing the tents. … The students did have a right to be on campus, they were assembling peacefully and the campus was open at the time.”
When you feel that your only available response to a peaceful protest is to respond with violence…well, you’ve just demonstrated your lack of any desire or intent to occupy the moral high ground.
I watched this video in mute disbelief; is this really what we’ve come to? Is suppressing dissent by any means necessary now the Prime Directive? Have we learned nothing from our experience during the Vietnam years? And do people in positions of power really think that this sort of overreaction will quell unrest and silence dissent? It’s still early in the movement, so I understand it’s difficult to draw conclusions. Nonetheless, given the manner that and the speed with which the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread, I find it difficult to see how it can be easily quelled. This country has a protest movement built on legitimate dissent on its hands. The question should be how to address the concerns expressed, NOT how to silence the dissent and break up demonstrations.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
If there’s one lesson that should’ve been learned from the anti-Vietnam War protests, it’s that violent suppression of dissent DOES. NOT. WORK. You simply cannot aggressively and/or violently suppress expression of dissent, not in a democracy like ours. This is not Syria, where protesters can easily and without accountability be shot and killed by their government. You can use police as stormtroopers to try and break up demonstrations, but if protesters remain committed to non-violence and resolute in their determination, you will eventually lose. Gandhi proved that there’s no effective strategy to combat and defeat committed, non-violent protest.
The pepper-spraying of peaceful protesters at UC-Davis demonstrates both that those in power have no effective strategy available and that committed non-violent protest will eventually prevail. If the Occupy Wall Street movement can remain committed, resolute, and (most importantly) non-violent, they will prevail. It may (and likely won’t) happen overnight, but it will happen. Non-violence, when practiced with patience and determination, will eventually carry the day. If it can chase the British Empire out of the Indian subcontinent, it can force Congress and the oligarchy to address the issue of income inequality and create a system which levels the playing field.
For this country’s sake, I hope that these changes will take place before this generation is forced to endure its own tragic Kent State moment.
