By Mansfield Frazier
In spite of the negative comments of conservative pundits, scurrilously and desperately attempting to discredit and diffuse the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, the uprising of young people all across the country had, and continues to have, a profound effect on the American body politic. Just because most folks are not willing to camp out on a public commons or attend marches and rallies, that doesn’t mean they’re not supportive of the movement and the call for change.
Even greedy Robber Barons should realize that when everyday, middleclass, hardworking Americans begin losing their homes due to the manipulations of markets by speculators things are bound to eventually get ugly. They’ve been hell-bent on making record profits, even if it means destroying the American Dream of home-ownership. But don’t look now, it’s too late; the train of change in America has already left the station.
When the OWS movement first started here in Cleveland I was interviewed by some of its leaders as they sought to find ways to make their efforts more inclusive and egalitarian. I gave them what little advice I could, and some that was off base. I informed them the only way to change America was via ballots or bullets, and since they were not about to take up arms they’d better organize as a voting block. I was wrong.
All they needed to do was exactly what they were doing, which was driving the debate to the left, even if they eschewed voting. The few hundred protesters demonstrating here last year began to drive many fence straddlers off to the progressive side of the political spectrum, just as Tea Partiers had been driving folks to the right in previous years.
When summer comes around, OWS will be right back, stronger, more insistent, and more demanding… and in the end they’re going to bring about the change they seek and we all need. They’re going to win. As Gandhi said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
I just received this message from my good friend Rick Nagin:
“We’re at a crossroads as a country. In recent years, millions have lost their jobs, homes have been foreclosed, and an unconscionable number of children live in poverty. We have to stand up to the people who caused of all this and confront the rampant greed and deliberate manipulation of our democracy and our economy by a tiny minority in the 1%.
“Inspired by Occupy Wall Street and the fight for workers in Madison, Wisconsin, the 99% will rise up this spring. In the span of just one week, from April 9-15, 100,000 people will be trained to tell the story of what happened to our economy, learn the history of non-violent direct action, and use that knowledge to take action on our own campaigns to win change.
“We’ll gather for trainings in homes, community centers, places of worship, campuses, and public spaces nationwide to learn how to join together in the work of reclaiming our country through sustained non-violent action. Will you rise with us and join a 99% Spring action training?”
Cleveland locations and times:
Tue 4/10, 6 PM
USW Local 979 Hall
3421 Independence Rd., Cleveland
78 registered participant(s) (250 maximum)
Cleveland, OH 44105
Hosted by Debbie Kline, David Pierce, Carol Hopkins-Lutz
Sat 4/14, 10 AM
Ultimate Skills for Life Center
8003 Broadway, Cleveland
61 registered participant(s) (75 maximum)
Hosted by Diane E. Coates
Sun 4/15, 1 PM
Cleveland Eastside
3775 E. 131St (up) Cleveland
15 registered participant(s) (30 maximum)
Hosted by Shirley A Stevens, Ken Rapoport
The time is now, don’t sit idly by on the sidelines as history is being written; get involved. See you at one of the trainings.
From Cool Cleveland correspondent Mansfield B. Frazier mansfieldfATgmail.com. Frazier’s From Behind The Wall: Commentary on Crime, Punishment, Race and the Underclass by a Prison Inmate is available again in hardback. Snag your copy and have it signed by the author by visiting http://www.neighborhoodsolutionsinc.com.
Cleveland, OH 44105
Cleveland, OH 44105
Cleveland, OH 44120
2 Responses to “MANSFIELD: Time to “Spring” Back Into Action”
IndyCA35
What a bunch of dummies, including Mansfield.
Reminds me of the California students protesting the 10% tuition hikes. The reason for the 10% tuition hikes was to pay for retired civil service loafers, so they can retire at age 52 and keep getting fully paid for medical care and pensions.
I can see why the USW wants to co-opt OWS.
In 1990 there were 14,000 steel workers at the mill in Cleveland. Today there are about 2000. Thanks to the USW.
As for the “manipulators” who drove people out of their homes, it’s funny that didn’t happen to me. Maybe because I actually paid my mortgage payments.
If Ghandi had thought like Lenin and acted like Stalin, like you guys, he’d have failed too.
Elaine
For IndyCA35:
1. You must be so thankful you have a (just over broke) JOB to help pay that wonderful (rent) mortgage payment, for that over appraised piece of property you own (sorry … that the mortgage company owns).
2. For your information … all it takes is one protest to help fuel a bigger protest, and on and on til you have OWS and then watch out … it’ll be like people waking up from a deep sleep. Wide .. Wide Awake!
Oh yeah, … regarding the steel industry, … came across the following (helpful):
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/business/worldbusiness/23iht-steel.1.18064775.html?pagewanted=all