Every Wednesday when we send out our email newsletter to those who subscribe, I include a “Notes from the Heart” section that doesn’t appear on the blog. It’s usually a raw, open sharing of what’s going on in the moment from my own journey in business. Here’s the Note I published on October 5. I had been inspired by Jen Louden’s post, and I realized I wanted to speak up about the Occupy Wall Street movement more publicly.
Back in July, Adbusters, a magazine/organization dedicated to unveiling the excesses of Madison Avenue advertising and corporate dishonesty, released a manifesto. It was their response to the Arab spring, where many countries in the middle east rose up against tyrannical governments.
This manifesto was entitled #OccupyWallStreet. The idea caught, and OccupyWallStreet was born as a protest and movement. Since late September thousands of people have gone to an occupation of Zucatti Square in Manhattan. Most recently 700 people were arrested blocking the Brooklyn Bridge. There are now more than 100 related Occupy events springing up across the United States. [Update: Nearly 1000 Occupy events globally.]
Before I was in business I was an activist. I know that direct action can sometimes seem futile, but when it works, it’s the only thing that seems to make a significant impact. The tactics of Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, should not be ignored, because of the great change they brought.
Unfortunately, people rarely engage with things they are passionate about to that level. The reasons are simple: survival and overwhelm. If you are too exhausted trying to earn your living, you don’t have a lot extra to participate in your community.
Equally, if participation means you risk arrest, or just plain missing work at a job, you need a great deal of courage to show up.
While I was a paramedic, I was involved with a lot of direct action activism when off-duty. I could do that because my work schedule was ten 24 hour shifts a month, leaving 20 days a month as free time.
But I couldn’t risk arrest in civil disobediance. As a paramedic, if I had an arrest on my record, I would’ve lost my job. So, I was careful about how I engaged.
I’ve spoken often about how micro businesses and the self-employed are the tiny seeds of change that can help to heal our economy by the virtue of what they do.
But another benefit is that you won’t fire yourself if you get arrested or miss work. As a self-employed person, or in a very small company where everyone is known and trusted intimately, you can make time to engage with your communities in direct action.
You may or may not agree with #OccupyWallStreet aims as I do. What I am hoping is that you move your business into stability and momentum so that it can support your active and full participation in your community, unrestricted by fears of employment, survival or consequences from others.
“This is what democracy looks like.”
love,
Mark
15 Responses
Love this, Mark. My recent arrest for civil disobedience in front of the White House felt like one of the most important things I have ever done. As I remarked in my recap of that weekend, ‘If not me, who? If not now, when?’
Being able to risk arrest without getting fired is a critical component of these movements. I appreciate you shining a light on it here.
Much respect,
Brandon
You were? You did? Brandon- that’s fantastic. It’s so important to stand up and be counted.
Why, thank you so much, Mark. 🙂 I wrote about my experience, and shared some of the inspiring events that took place on this post: http://www.brandonsutton.com/you-are-now-under-arrest/
I’m going back up on Nov. 6 for the final demonstration. We are encircling the White House with a human chain. It’s the final appeal to President Obama to fulfill his promise of ending ‘the tyranny of oil.’
Stay tuned… 😉
I don’t think it will be the final appeal, Brandon- at least I hope not- but I’m glad it’s happening.
It was good the first time I read it. It’s still good. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Thank you, Lisa. 🙂
I almost completely disagree with the Occupy movement, insofar as they have something to agree or disagree with. But I agree with them doing something. If the world pisses you off, turn it into a positive by doing something constructive about it.
Also, as I put into a joke here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=170824683006432&set=a.116515588437342.29703.116305808458320&type=1&theater
In this vein, I once saw a concert by New Model Army (who am I kidding, I saw all of them in the NL for the past 20 years) and Justin said about activism that it’s not about what it acchieves, what it’s for or against, but that you should do it because it’s good for the soul.
Hey David- It is so good for the soul to engage with the world around us. I’m glad you spoke up- we all need to engage, hopefully civilly, whether or not we agree with each other. Without all of us, we don’t have a complete picture.
Hi Mark,
I’m from Italy and think this is a great way to change people mind. A good chance for America?
Milena- I sure hope so.
That is a very good article Mark, I really enjoy it.
As Brandon says
Rage Against the Machine! Nick – we’ve been working this Occupy movement such a long time, in different names…
In the 18th century over 90% of Americans own their business, over 65% in the 19th century and now only 5%. Research has also found that only 5% of American today can call themselves financially secure…Is it a coincidence why we are in trouble?
Not sure what this has to do with business, but the movement is going quite well.
Mark,
I on other hand think. What ever the out come of business is .. weather helping a society to grow or democracy ? We the business owner are here for the single fact to serve the consumer and earn profit. That’s it.
Weather we help the democracy i don’t think any one intent to do that.