A New Frontier

Insight + 5 Asana Tips:

2011-12-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

Sarah van Gelder: 10 Ways to Support the Occupy Movement

2011-11-09T05:25:00.000-08:00

Sarah van Gelder: 10 Ways to Support the Occupy Movement
And you don't have to camp out. But you have to tune in.

1. Show up at the occupied space near you.

Use this link to find the Facebook page of an occupation near you. If you can, bring a tent or tarp and sleeping bag, and stay. Or just come for a few hours. Talk to people, participate in a General Assembly, hold a sign, help serve food. Learn about the new world being created in the occupied spaces.

2. Start your own occupation.

Use this Meetup site. Or call together friends, members of your faith group, school, or community group. Reach out to people from parts of your community you don’t normally work with. Unexpected alliances keep the movement from getting labeled as partisan or representing only some people.

3. Support those who are occupying.

Most sites need food, warm clothes, blankets, tarps, sleeping bags, communications gear, and money. Many need people to do loads of laundry, to help with medical care, to provide legal support, to serve food, and to spread the word. Some people call in pizza orders from nearby vendors. Support the folks at Liberty Square in New York here, or check in with your local occupiers to see what they need.

As we discover a community of people who are experiencing similar hardship, humiliation turns into compassion for others and for ourselves.

4. Speak out. Get into the debates and the teach-ins.

Many occupation sites have workshops and discussions on critical issues of our time. Get into the discussion. Bring your expertise and reading materials to share. YES! Magazine is offering free copies of the current New Livelihood issue to occupied sites (request them by emailing JobsIssue@yesmagazine.org). Bring the discussions to other groups you are part of. Listen to perspectives you haven’t heard before. This process represents a critical, but under-reported side of the movement: People are shifting from being passive, frustrated observers of politics to active, powerful players. Instead of waiting for our leaders to do the right thing, people from all walks of life are becoming leaders. It makes us unstoppable.

5. Share your story.

Post how you’re part of the 99 percent on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or in print. Through this movement, people are discovering others who are also losing jobs and homes, who are overwhelmed by debt or working a dead-end job. Through this sharing, humiliation turns into compassion and self-respect. And it builds understanding of the sources and the impacts of our crisis: A Wall Street system that funnels wealth to the top 1 percent is leaving the rest of us behind. Community plus insight makes us powerful.

Photo by Sarah van Gelder.
6. Be the media.

Show up with your video recorder, camera phone, or laptop and share the stories of the occupation. You can download a selection of posters donated by graphic designers and spread them around. Highlight the human dimension of the protests. It is harder for critics to disparage a movement when people see the faces of those involved.

7. Name the meaning of this moment.

What will make the world better for the 99 percent? How has the power of the 1 percent gotten in the way of your hopes and dreams? Make a sign, write a blog, update your Facebook page, or speak out on the issue that means the most to you. Include the phrase, “I am the 99 percent.”

8. Insist that public officials treat the occupations with respect.

The eviction of the Liberty Square occupation on Wall Street was averted by massive public resistance from those in the square and from others. Other occupations also need support. The 99 percent don’t have the money, political access, and media empires of the 1 percent; the occupations are one of the few ways we are building power. Ask your local officials to respect people's right to assembly.

What Can Stop the One Percent?
Naomi Klein: There’s only one thing that can block the wish list of the one percent, and it’s a very big thing:
the rest of us.

9. Study and teach nonviolent techniques.

There are many examples of outside provocateurs who spark violent incidents that can discredit nonviolent movements such as this. The corporate media is hungry for violent images. (There’s already been an example of an admitted provocateur from the right-wing "American Spectator" who provoked pepper spraying at the National Air & Space Museum). Learn how to lovingly and firmly interrupt and contain violence, and teach what you know. Here are some resources.

10. Be resilient.

This movement is here for the long term. Some efforts may fade because of cold weather or harsh police responses. Others may self-destruct through faulty process or violent outbreaks. The movement may be idealistic, but it won’t be ideal. Don’t get disillusioned; the demand for a society that serves the 99 percent won’t go away. The movement may morph, but it has become unstoppable. Help it evolve.
The genie is out of the bottle. People will no longer accept the systematic transfer of wealth and power from we the people to the 1 percent. In this remarkable, leaderless movement, each one of the 99 percent who gets involved helps shape history.

WHY OCCUPY?

2011-10-16T07:56:00.001-07:00

Many people keep asking me" why are people showing up to Occupy Wall Street" here is, in my opinion, just a slice of what the matter is:
To bring awareness regarding the abuse of Americans through corporations avoidance of paying taxes, the many loopholes our government creates for them, which in turn takes jobs out of this country and cripples the middle class who not only pay the most in taxes but also lose out in jobs and small business opportunities. If you take issue with your government and the way our financial institutions do business, don't look to Washington to pass legislation to change it until corporations abuse of power, abuse of employees and abuse of democracy are revealed for ALL to see. The conversation has begun. ..and, to put an end to these wars that are bankrupting us, not only financially, but morally and is killing not only our men and women but our foreign relations around the world.

Hartford: Occupied!!

2011-10-08T10:11:00.001-07:00

Another great thing an Iphone can do...You won't see it on FOX-Watch it Watchdogs!

2011-10-05T08:30:00.001-07:00

Fox: Out Foxed. Smart people unite.

Wall Street: Occupied!

2011-10-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

I filmed this on the steps of city hall in NYC yesterday when these city officials, activists, writers and protest organizers voiced their concerns regarding the harsh treatment by NYPD, and, more importantly, the vast corruption that resides in the heart of our political system: Wall Street.

Somewhere To Disappear

2011-07-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Maybe THIS is the New Frontier:
Trailer 'Somewhere To Disappear' from Arnaud Uyttenhove on Vimeo.

Life Lesson From My Garden

2011-06-26T10:23:00.001-07:00

One can add years onto your life simply by getting older..how? By knowing with absolute certainty, what is, and what is not, a weed..helpful hint: give it a sniff..

Brooklyn Bridge Goes Green For Iran

2009-09-25T00:00:00.001-07:00

I Shot this Sept. 24th on the Brooklyn Bridge and In Manhattan. I found women are the driving force in the civil movement for the fight for civil and human rights in Iran. Brave and powerful women.

One Last Look before We Go

2009-09-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

I can't say it, but HE can.

Clearly, we must move on from racism and name calling. Yet, we also need to move on from calls of socialism, Nazi,"not a citizen, Witch doctor, etc. etc. The right seems to have no problem denigrading our President over his attempt to insure them and his success at pulling the economy out of the toilet bowl. But WE..the majority who voted for him, must not INFLAME sentiment in this country. I guess it's the left's fault for taking OUR liberties of freedom of speech to defend the sanctity of the state..

The real winner will be the people who actually inform themselves and quietly turn away from those that cannot grasp the workings of government and their own needs.

This link will provide you with a look at what we are dealing with, the true reality of the state of mind of 40% of the country. Not to inflame, of course, but to prove that our outrage and counter claims were far from unfounded.

Keep watching.

Click the Title of this article above for "Proof"

The Proverbial Two Way Street

2009-09-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

I think that the "tolerance" of these bigots is dangerous. America seems so much more "fragile" to me right now. Economics can really screw with one's self esteem. So many people feel marginalized, helpless. Teabaggers and Birthers are a cult to me. They have a new sense of belonging and purpose since Obama was elected. But they are transparent. They might as well wear white hoods at these townhall meetings.

We, as a country, blacks and whites, struggle with our shame about our issues with slavery and puritanism. If the outraged opposition refrained from their bizarre and dangerous behavior, perhaps they could make their points without such a strong reaction from those of us outraged at their ignorance.Two way street.

Sarah Taylor & Maggie

Our Middle East Crisis

2009-02-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

13 comments:

Amirhossein Manzourolajdad said...

It's the first time in a long long while that I see someone talks so clear and honest about the issues in the middle east from within the united states. I am a middle eastern student living in the states for now and I truely admire your insights on this. You have no idea how much I amire your speech
Luv you Maggie!
January 13, 2009 5:13 PM
Hans said...

Hurray Maggie!
You are so right again. A footnote: I do not think the Muslims or the Europeans think of the US as Godless. The US has more Christian fundamentalists than anywhere else on the planet.
Muslims just have a hard time understanding that killing 6 Million Jews is called a genocide, while killing 8 million Muslims since Gulf War I is called "a search for peace, democracy and prosperity".
January 13, 2009 8:12 PM
Maggie Kortchmar said...

Hi Hans, "Godless" not necessarily pertaining to "religion" more our Western hedonistic and glutinous "ways", our reckless abandon of decency., I guess I didn't make that clear enough. We all know there are christians a plenty in both the US and Europe. Yet we also know that in order to get our attention, Religion is used to manipulate and inflame. Thanks for your comments Hans, I love to recieve them. Peace.
January 13, 2009 8:20 PM
Maggie Kortchmar said...

Amirhossien!, If I can reach someone like you I feel I am making a difference. Thank you for that gift.
January 13, 2009 8:24 PM
Hans said...

Thanks Maggie, I know it is a cliche, but please keep up the good work. (Sorry, could not think of something more eloquent.)
January 13, 2009 9:01 PM
Bob Hoeppner said...

Well, that was quite the harangue. I don't think anyone has this all figured out. Anyone who thinks they do will probably run into unintended consequences.
January 14, 2009 4:58 AM
Maggie Dowling Kortchmar said...

Bob-it's worse to stand idly by. No one is seeking perfection, just a bit of fairness and honesty. You either do or you don't-seek-
January 14, 2009 7:06 AM
Bob Hoeppner said...

It seems to me that to withdraw involvement from Arab countries would be to stand idly by. Which I wouldn't necessarily be against as long as I could still drive to work, meaning having energy for my car and having minimal concern about terrorism.
January 14, 2009 8:00 AM
Anonymous said...

Bob Hoeppner-Wow, are you ever wrong. I don't care much to depend on foreign oil anymore.,You still can drive to work, but lets have our country secure and then we can make sure we get you into a carpool.
January 14, 2009 8:05 AM
Bob Hoeppner said...

Wrong about what? I didn't say I wanted to depend on foreign oil. I said I wanted to have enough energy to drive to work. If that can be hydrogen or electric, that's fine with me.

>You still can drive to work, but lets have our country secure and then we can make sure we get you into a carpool.

You realize that statement is practically meaningless?
January 14, 2009 8:55 AM
Hans said...

On the whole this particular massacre currently happening has very little to do with oil dependency, Mr. Anonymous. It is all about territory and ideology. The combination is lethal. No army will destroy Hamas as long as Hamas feeds fugitives, while others try to exterminate them. Who would you support? The hand that feeds you or the man/woman who is aiming a machine gun at you?
January 14, 2009 9:24 AM
Qari Nejat said...

I am loving what you say, and pray that US will listen and do as you say. Muslims want Americans out of the middle east entirely, and want for US to cease support to Israel to let nature take its course with them. . US has no business in the middle east. Your lack of faith has something to do with why Muslims do not want your presence and though you do not understand your own godlessness, at least you acknowledge that you are godless.

There is a hope coming for your children, though. They will be glad for your work and will see how you have brought them near. You will be hailed for this type of work, as will Juan Cole and the others who bring this hope with your words and efforts.

In due time there will be peace through the Caliphate, but until then, people such as you are the best hope that the middle east will be once again the domain of those to whom it belongs and will forever belong. You must continue to work to convince your fellows of the rightness and inevitability of your words. Keep speaking and writing! You are valued and necessary.
January 14, 2009 12:31 PM
Nader Hassoun said...

Love your work...

Roland Martin Show/Pre Election

2009-02-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

Cnn gave us a go
I really screwed up when Kevin went on and on about how important it is to give Oil Companies and big corporations tax breaks!..I should have said "What about you Kevin and me?, don't we deserve the breaks more?" Hindsight...and only 6 minutes for the spot, had to touch on Iran.

What Are Your Plans?

2009-01-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

How Will You Make The United States and Our World A Better Place in the New Year?

A New Frontier

Insight + 5 Asana Tips:

Sarah van Gelder: 10 Ways to Support the Occupy Movement

1. Show up at the occupied space near you.

2. Start your own occupation.

3. Support those who are occupying.

4. Speak out. Get into the debates and the teach-ins.

5. Share your story.

Photo by Sarah van Gelder.6. Be the media.

7. Name the meaning of this moment.

8. Insist that public officials treat the occupations with respect.

9. Study and teach nonviolent techniques.

10. Be resilient.

WHY OCCUPY?

Hartford: Occupied!!

Another great thing an Iphone can do...You won't see it on FOX-Watch it Watchdogs!

Wall Street: Occupied!

Somewhere To Disappear

Life Lesson From My Garden

Brooklyn Bridge Goes Green For Iran

One Last Look before We Go

The Proverbial Two Way Street

Our Middle East Crisis

Roland Martin Show/Pre Election

What Are Your Plans?

Photo by Sarah van Gelder.
6. Be the media.