Social Justice: Go Forth And Occupy

Go Forth And Occupy

By: Shannon Mouton

     @ShannonRenee



"Occupy____" seems to be popping up all over the United States and Canada, yes, our presumably docile neighbor to the north has awakened. 

• The original, OccupyWallStreet, is still going strong and OccupyDC doesn't seem to be ending any time soon.
• OccupyVancouver, OccupyToronto and OccupyWinnepeg are gearing up for the long haul. 
• There has been some police action in OccupyBoston and the potential for arrests in OccupySeattle and OccupyDallas. 
• OccupyPortland, OccupySeattle, OccupyLosAngeles and OccupySanFrancisco have the west coast covered.

And this is only a sampling of what is going on across the country.

Many are dismissive of the protesters, which is a shame because it completely misses the bigger picture: for the first time, in a very long time, people are trying to hold people accountable for their actions. So often, you go-along to get-along, let "them" fight the battle or simply ignore issues altogether. Americans literally can not afford to keep silent any longer.

This is WONDERFUL!

No one has to accept the status quo just because it is the status quo. History is filled with institutions and attitudes that were once the status quo, and they only changed when the collective voices of the people demanded or forced change. 

Whether or not you agree, or even understand, what the OccupyXXX in your area stands for, consider supporting your fellow Americans, who are using their voices, versus sitting quietly on the sidelines, letting someone else fight their battles.