Thoughts?

On July 4, 1776 men gathered in Philadelphia and wrote these words: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

For the past 40 years our government has been invariably pursuing the interests of corporate greed over the interests of the people. This one Object has been their aim at the expense of the people that consent to be governed. We can and will create a full list of grievances, but that list would be much too long and incomplete. Instead, we can explain what it is that we would like to achieve and then begin that process.

Since we are part of a movement that has no official leader and no official hierarchy each of us brings our own values to the movement. For me, I am passionate about alleviating poverty and homelessness. For others they are passionate about the way our government and society privileges people with lighter skin. For others they see the destruction of our environment as the paramount problem that we are facing today. Yet, the secret that no one in power wants to admit is that all of these issues are the same issue. They are rooted in our desire to control. People create a system of power over others so that they have a feeling of control. This system of power over people, plants or animals is a system of inequality that must be brought down. The Occupy movement is the last chance that this country, and this globe, has to fight against the powers that will destroy our world.

It is our right and our duty to throw off the Governments, around the world, that are invariably pursuing corporate profit over the health of our people and our planet. We are lucky enough to be alive in a time when we, as a global people, have become aware of the ways in which our governments are colluding with one another to frighten us into thinking that there is a scarcity and that we must fight each other over the crumbs that they give us. We must stand up and say that as The People we are united.

We are going to create the new world that we want to live in. We will no longer listen to your lies that tell us that we have to choose our issues to fight. We will no longer believe the lie that profit is more important that the life of the forests. We will no longer believe the lies that the only way to create prosperity for some is to build it on the backs of the poor. We will no longer believe your lies that only people who have money should have the best healthcare. We will no longer believe your lies that people in poverty are there because they do not work hard enough. We will no longer listen to the television that instills fear of those who practice a different religion or wear different clothes or speak a different language. We will embrace this diversity. This diversity is what makes us strong. We know that those of us standing up in Chicago and in New York and in Madrid and in Tahrir Square and in Tunisia and in Syria and here in Austin, TX are all brothers and sisters. We are fighting a united fight and we are winning.

The Poor will always be with you

There is this passage in Mark that has always bothered me. I've always been critical of this passage because I never understood it. I read it again this weekend in preparation for Children's Chapel on Sunday and I think I finally started to get it.

Here's a quick summary: Jesus and his disciples are eating dinner at Simon the Leper's home. A woman (in Luke she's identified as Mary Magdalene) comes and pours very expensive perfume on Jesus. The disciples rebuke her and say that the perfume should have been sold and given to the poor. Then Jesus rebukes the disciples and says that she did a good thing and that the disciples will "always have the poor with you."

In the past I've seen this passage as an excuse to neglect the poor; I've seen it as a way to say "the poor will always be with us" so we don't have to do anything for them. Instead lets spend tens of thousands of dollars on our new church. Jesus told us to right here that we don't have to spend money on the poor and instead we should spend money on him. Our church building is clearly what Jesus would have wanted.

When I read this on Sunday I noticed for the first time where the story was set. This story is set in the home of Simon the Leper. All we know about this man is that he has a home and that he has an incurable skin disease. (Any good Bible will have the footnote that the word for leprosy was used to refer to multiple skin diseases, not just leprosy). We also know that people with skin diseases were considered unclean and therefore were not allowed to participate in the religious life (or any communal) activities. The fact that Jesus and his disciples were in this man's house and sharing a meal with him is a radical act. That act, by itself, would be revolutionary. It would be as if the Pope decided to go and have dinner with an abortion doctor. This story just leaves the tidbit about where it is located as a small detail in the background. They move on to the real story, the woman pouring her perfume over Jesus.

This is a purely symbolic act. Jesus is preparing for his own death. At the end of this passage Jesus sends his disciples out to find a place for his final meal. He is clearly thinking about, and aware of, the fact the he will be leaving this earthly life in a few days time. He has brought the battle to Rome, so to speak. This woman, probably one of his disciples - although the male centric lens of the gospel does not name as one - pours this oil on his body in preparation for burial. She is probably giving him the most valuable item that she owns. Instead of waiting for him to die she is giving it to him in the here and now. She is saying that what we do right now is so much more important than what happens after we die. We don't need to wait until this life has gone to give our most valuable asset because the lives that we LIVE are our most valuable assets. By pouring her perfume on him she is saying - I am living my life for Jesus. I am not waiting until I die (or you die, Jesus) to have the Life that you offer.

The disciples reaction shows just how little they get it. They say that this is a waste. Her perfume could have been sold for a year's wages and the money given to the poor. What we forget is that all of this is taking place in the home of a poor person. Not just a poor person, an excluded person. Jesus does not talk about the poor in some abstract "over there" sort of way. No, Jesus goes to their homes for dinner as he is preparing to lose his life. Jesus is not concerned with the ability to throw money at the poor so that they are no longer poor. He is trying to create a new system where people are valued because of their humanity not because of their wealth. As long as we fall into the trap of believing that if we just give enough money to the poor then we will eventually eradicate poverty we will never overcome poverty. This is lie is tempting because it seems to address the basic cause. Why are the poor, poor? They do not have money. Yes, that is the definition of 'poor'. But that does not answer why. Why are they (we?) poor? We are poor because our society has been built to create a class of people that slaves away to serve those in power. We have been programmed to see poverty as something that we can fix as individuals. That is impossible. Poverty is a system of power that must be dismantled.

Jesus understood this. The disciples that followed him did not. They were probably uncomfortable because they were in the house of an unclean man just before one of the holiest holidays. They were probably thinking that Jesus had just ruined all their plans to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem. Now they see this opportunity to show how much they support the poor. Look at this waste of money on perfume that should be used after Jesus is dead! Why are you embalming him before he dies they cry. Why can't we just take that money and give it to the poor? They desperately want to try and prove that they get it. That they understand that we have to fight luxury and give money to the poor. That is not the solution.

The solution is a revolution that has no room for exploitation. A revolution that has no room for poverty. But also a revolution that is just as intolerant of greed.

I finally see what Jesus means when he says that the "poor will always be with you." He is really giving a command that we will always be with the poor. We will be among them. We will be poor so that we can combat a system that values people based on money. Finally this passage makes sense to me.

I am ashamed of Austin!

I am saddened by the City I call home. Three weeks ago I though this city was on the right track. The City Council unanimously passed the 'Responsible Banking' Resolution. This resolution gave the city 60 days to research moving their money from the Bank of America into local credit unions or banks. Now, 21 days later they have decided to move their money into J.P. Morgan Chase.

Rolling Stone put out this article today. These big banks are operating like Mafia around the country. They are basically stealing our tax payer dollars and using it for their corporate interests.

It is outrageous that our City Council would give our money to this bank that lies and cheats and steals. They are taking my money that I work hard for and they are giving it away to criminals. We cannot let this stand. We must make sure that the City of Austin knows that we are opposed to this immoral action.

They have an ethical and moral responsibility to the people of Austin to make sure that our money is in the hands of honest bankers. They have failed us. If they will not listen to us while they are in office than we must put people in office who will listen to us.

Each and every member up for re-election must know that Occupy Austin is not going to sit idly by. We are not placated by a resolution passed to keep us happy until the real decisions were made.

No more. Council members Spellman, Martinez and Cole, you need to know that your time is up. Here is what I say to you: "Occupy Austin is going to make a difference in this election. We are for the rights of the people. We are looking out for them because you are certainly not."

I am not going to simply be sad and ashamed of this this city; I am going to work to make it a city I am proud to call home.

Occupy Southby

I realized that as I was just getting involved in the Occupy movement I had much more time to post about what I was seeing, experiencing and feeling. Now I have immersed myself fully and no longer have time for anything except planning and actions. (I don't even have time for many of the actions that I wish I could go to).

This week should be my most stressful week. In January, I stepped up to be the magnet for a group called "Occupy Southby". We have been planning and putting together teach ins and performances to coincide with the festival of SXSW. The few weeks leading up to this were very stressful. This week, we are seeing all of our hard work pay off. Admittedly, I might be counting my chickens before they hatch, but based on our first two days - things are amazing. Everyone that is coming out is enjoying our events and we are building bridges within the community. We are educating ourselves. We are creating new life. This week is not stressful for me, it is a beautiful example of what we can do when we work together!

I am so grateful that I have been able to, and will continue to be, a part of this group. There has been some drama about the way things have been done, but overall we are able to overcome those differences to work together. I believe that we are a stronger community with more ties to the broader Austin community now.
We have some hard work ahead of us to finish out this week, but I know that we will be successful. I have to go back to my 'paying' job tomorrow. I know that the last two days will be wonderful. I am upset that I cannot participate, but I am not at all stressed about how those days will be proceeding. That is the beauty of decentralized, group organizing. This group is so amazing!

I wanted to make sure I got all of this down. I am just filled with hope and inspiration from making all of this hard work into something real.

On my way home tonight..

On my way home tonight I saw a homeless man. This is not an unusual occurrence for me. He was standing on the street corner with his sign. There is usually someone on that corner.

When I saw that man I realized that it is wrong that he is homeless. There is no other word for it. Wrong. The fact that we have a society where people are allowed to live in abject poverty and resort to begging on street corners is wrong. We live in the most powerful country in the world and yet we choose not to address this issue. Homelessness and poverty are not separate issues and neither are greed and wealth. It is because of the greed and wealth of a few that we have the homelessness and poverty of the many.

We need change. Our country cannot keep serving the god of greed.

I occupy because I know that the time for change has arrived.

Occupy Austin Eviction (part 1 of 2)

I'm not one of those people that is scared of the police. In fact, I generally think that police are trying to do their best (I actually believe this is true of almost all people – we just define best very differently).

Saturday night I was scared of the Police. Although this story is about Saturday night, let's start with Friday to set the scene.

Friday night, about 10 pm, I got a text from stating that eviction was imminent. Immediately we left our fun night of board games and headed to City Hall. It was a warm February night and rain was on the way.

We arrived at City Hall about 10:20 pm. The scene was I imagine in books or a country that is under martial law. There were police surrounding City Hall in riot gear. There were cop cars blocking the streets around City Hall. Police were barring more people from entering the premises. I saw a few of my friends running back and forth between the free parking lot and City Hall trying to organize trucks and cars to remove all personal belongings before the police took custody of them. Everyone was in a frenzied, harried state. No idea what would come next or why we were being evicted.

At this point we decided to stay far from the fray. Instead of trying to get onto City Hall property we intentionally stayed away from Police and potential arrest. In case this became a violent situation I was ready to be the person that reported on it. As a member of the Occupy Austin media team I contacted more members of the media team, who I knew were not at City Hall, and informed them of the situation as it was unfolding. I took pictures of the Police in riot gear as they descended from the City Bus, now labled “APD”. I watched as more than 100 police approached my friends. I did not know if this would be an incident like the one in Oakland that would end in tear gas and mass arrests. I did not know how this night would end. I was scared.

I saw people being arrested. The cops carrying people from City Hall Plaza to the vans awaiting them. I did not know if they would take everyone or just a few. I knew that doing what I was doing was important, but at the same time I felt guilt because I was choosing to let these people that I have been organizing with, marching next to and creating the revolution with risk arrest and bodily harm while I watched. After a few arrests the remaining Occupiers began marching. They took the tent (the one symbolic tent of our Occupation) and marched. They gathered in a park near City Hall.

Just as we approached the gathered Occupiers police also began approaching the park. We left and began walking in the other direction. They began marching and chanting and took to the streets again. We walked away. Again aware that I was walking towards my own safety while I left my friends (and dare I say family?) in peril. We walked and walked. Trying to keep an eye on this misfit protest that had no where to go. Then it started to rain.

The rain was not playing with us. People had been kicked out of their homes into the streets to wander as the rain approached. It was now storming. We lost sight of the protestors. It was hard to tell who was a part of the protest movement amid the many people out to party on 5^th and 6^th street. I tried to spot those I knew.

It continued to rain. We tried to follow them but they were lost in the rain drops that drenched all those who dared to go out – protestors and revellers alike.

Around 2 am we decided it was time to get home and get to work. We wandered back to the car which was parked about 4 blocks from City Hall. There were a few Occupiers huddled under an awning. We stopped and spoke with them briefly. They had broken up about the same time that we decided to head home. The Occupiers left had made sure everyone had a place to go that night. We headed back to the apartment and began the long work of writing a press release.

I was in an emotional state, unable to think clearly, but I knew that we had to have something to give to the Press by the morning. We stayed up and we worked and we wrote and we wrote and we edited and we edited. Around 5 am we went to bed. I'm proud of that Press release. I'm proud of the way we are handling our eviction.

That was my Friday night. Saturday night was a whole different experience.... and another blog post.

Three months and going strong

This past weekend was the three month celebration of Occupy Austin. It was a great weekend. Mostly it was great as a bonding experience. We are a group of people that are trying to do something radical. We are trying to create a new world that values people over profits. This is hard work. It is the work that needs to be done and we are the people that can do it. We are all tired and scared that we won't succeed. We are all hopeful and scared that we will. We have only been doing for three months in Austin. We are planning for the long haul. Every once in a while we need to just celebrate. That's what this weekend it was and it was amazing.

We had a party on Friday night. A mobile dance party. It was a surprise to the police, honestly it was a surprise to us. We were not sure of our path before the march and we wandered from park to park with our tents and our mobile dance party. We wandered the streets of Austin. We went to the Capitol of Texas and danced on the steps of the Capitol. We wandered to 6th street. The street of parties and drunkards and many people who could join us. We danced with them. We showed them that we are just like them. We are all working very hard and we all need to relax. We had publicized our three month anniversary. Many people came out to join us who had not been out much. Our celebration was a great way to introduce them to our movement. If you think that the movement is all hard work and no fun than we have already lost. Living to make this new world is living a life that has purpose but it is challenging and fun.

On Saturday we had teach ins. There were some on political theory. There was one on Twitter. I taught one on our General Assembly Process and Consensus. I had not publicised this as much as I could have. I thought that no one would show up. On a beautiful Saturday afternoon about 10 of us gathered on City Hall property to talk about consensus. It is pretty amazing to see that people actually care about how we talk. How we talk is at the core of who we are. If we talk in a way that is respectful of all people and lets others talk and listens then we are beginning to form the new world. The way we talk to each other and make decisions affects who we are as a movement. I had the honor of teaching people about this process. It was wonderful. I had the opportunity to share what I have been learning over the past few months. After such a great night Friday night it was exhilarating to see people coming back to do the hard work that it is going to take to make this movement something that actually creates this new world.