Comments on: OWS at Six Months: Reflections on the Winter Occupation

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:48:00 +0000

The issues of openness and non-violence, and their oposites, will continue to be contentious; my hope is that the creation of a new camp in Union Square will help aleviate some of these problems. (Perhaps not elimate them though). Part of what was lost when Liberty Park was cleared was a community; this community could act as a place where occupiers could live together, enact shared goals and a shared sense of identity and common fate. Though problems, many of them actually, arose even then, it is my sense they became much worse shortly after the park was cleared. Although I didn’t believe it then, having a camp is not simply of symbolic importance, its a laboratory of democracy that can help us better ameliorate the issues that divide us.

By: Jeffrey Goldfarb

Jeffrey Goldfarb — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:25:00 +0000

I find this account of the tension between the ideal of openness and the pursuit of substantive goals particularly interesting. I think Brown’s recognition that this tension will be persist but needs to be addressed without definitive resolution is wise. I believe that the same sort of tension exists between those who look to the movement to shape the direction of more conventional politics (my position) and those who want to see a clean break with a corrupt corporate dominated political system.

By: Gera

Gera — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:46:00 +0000

you should send this to Donnybrook! Great article and photos.