Occupy Movements Are Kind of Like Buttholes - Every City Has One

   
         OK, so that doesn't entirely make sense, but you know what I mean. It is hard to define the Occupy movement as a whole, because it takes on a completely different tenor with each city it pops up in - different folks, different interests - from the riotous gang in Oakland to the peaceful pacifists of Bloomington, each has it's own personality, sharing only one common thread - a dissatisfaction with the status quo. No two groups, let alone two people can agree on what exactly the problem is. Yes it is about financial disparity, but just what does that mean - are we talking about - unfair taxation, student debt, consumer debt, corporate greed, capitalism, welfare, living wage, global warming, corrupt politicians, campaign finance reform, fair trade - talk to some folks and they will say, yes, it's about all of that. Ask them what they plan to do about it and you will more than likely be met with an awkward silence.

        Now I can't address all Occupy movements, but I can talk about Occupy Bloomington. I have spent a good amount of time there. I find it fascinating to watch it's evolution from a handful of folks in early October to a full fledged encampment - a tiny town unto itself, right in downtown Bloomington Indiana. Occupy's encampment covers the nearly 1/3 acre park, aptly named People's Park abut two blocks away from Indiana University. There are now about 70 pup-tents and several larger communal tents that serve as a 24 hour vegetarian mess hall (with truly delicious healthy food free of charge), a library and a lounge where you can always find folks actively engaged in conversation any time, day or night. There is a grouping of benches that serve as a gathering point for general assemblies, where the business of the group is democratically conducted, and which during non business times serves as an impromptu area for drumming circles, poets, meditation classes and as a gathering point for folks who just want to socialize.

                                   
          This is a peaceful group, more given to making a statement by friendly social interaction rather than rowdy protests. Indeed, on a sunny fall afternoon it almost seems idyllic as seniors chat and knit while nearby round tummied puppies play in the grass as children run about and the scent of spiced ginger tea mixes with the smell of autumn as soothing acoustic guitar is faintly heard in the background.

          There have been unintended effects of Occupy Bloomington's laying claim to People's Park. As it brings people together it helps to bridge the Town/Gown divide whereby those connected to the University and local townsfolk are rarely given opportunity to interact. It serves as an informal community center open to all - the politically passionate, the curious, the lonely. Being that the majority of the people living in the camp are homeless, it provides them safe shelter free from harassment. The people dedicated to Occupy's existence  represent diversity at it's best - all races and ethnicities, rich and poor, old and young. It's inclusiveness has given everyday people a chance to share not only their voices, but their talents as well.

            This is not to say that all is well in People's Park. Over time as the encampment grows, so do it's problems. First and foremost, it becomes apparent that this is not sustainable on a long term basis. The food ingredients are  provided through generous donations from local restaurants and small private donations - how long this will continue is anyone's  guess - it isn't cheap to provide hundreds of meals a day. There is even talk about moving the food preparation to an offsite location. There are no bathroom facilities at the site - occupiers use the facilities of local businesses and the university student union. Though living together in harmony, it is a camp divided, both figuratively and literally. The homeless have set up on the east side of the park, and for the most part stick to themselves and choose not to be involved with the day to day business and work of the camp.

             A medic group and addiction counselors have been instituted to address medical emergencies and substance abuse in response to one occupier's death in the camp from alcohol poisoning and another person suffering nearly the same fate. They have also had to address how to handle not only unruly drunken frat boys who taunt the camp, but also how to address disorderly residents living in the camp. With the gift of a large monetary donation, heated arguments have broken out as to how to spend the money. There are disagreements how to manage smaller donations, should it go to gloves or food? Who should hold the money? How should it be disbursed? There are disagreements about whether or not Occupy's time and resources should be spent helping venues which support the homeless. Harsh words are exchanged as to whether or not a separate splinter group should be established on campus specifically for university students.

             As Occupy Bloomington has grown  so have the complications of governance. What started out as a fairly simple egalitarian democracy has turned into a rancorous power grab. General assemblies that once ended with a renewing sense of unity now end in discord. What was once a simple process of bringing up ideas a quick discussion followed by a vote has, as the camp's issues and business become more complicated, turned into days and days of debate and bickering with no resolution. People are beginning to feel left out of the process as a boisterous few have take over. Courtesy and respect, once the foundations of Occupy Bloomington have all but disappeared.  There are rumblings of people leaving the group because they feel they no longer matter.

            And so, it is no small irony that Occupy Bloomington, in their tiny People's Park camp is becoming an exact version - albeit on a much smaller scale, of the society at large that they revile. A model where a few attempt to hold the majority of the power, where dissenting voices are ignored, money brings out the worst in people, those who don't contribute prove to be the biggest drain on resources, not to mention that the life they have created for themselves is unsustainable in the long run. As someone on the periphery looking in, I find it fascinating, and can't help but wonder . . . is this human nature or societal conditioning.

          It is a paradox this Occupy movement - that those involved who clamor for change, don't want to work with the system to change it - they don't want to work against the system to destroy it - instead they seem content to recreate  a microcosm of the very system they abhor. I suddenly have this overwhelming urge to watch Lord of the Flies . . .

For images and coverage of the early Occupy Bloomington Movement check out Jonathan Streetman's link
http://jonathanstreetman.com/2011/10/11/occupy-bloomington/