The first meeting of Occupy Española hosted a number of people. The group was diverse. And, I hope it will continue to grow in number and diversity!
Santiago Juarez, long-time activist, former Executive Director of NM Progressive Alliance for Community Empowerment and Re-Visioning New Mexico, J. D., and my mentor, gave us a call to action; or non-action, as it were. He reminded us that the actions that may come out of Occupy Wall Street were not the most important. Dialog. True dialog was the real point of holding the space on Wall Street, and the NNMC cafeteria. He said that our politicians, CEOs and Wall Street workers may continue business as usual, but it would never be the same, because they had nowhere to hide. It was now evident that the emperor has no clothes.
Santiago reminded us that class warfare HAD been waged, and the rich had won. Not only had they won, but that we the 99% had lost. You and I - We the people - had lost. Now is a time for dialog.
Santiago had taught me long ago that dialog was incredibly important! But, dialog takes patience and I find it much more difficult than action. Last night was a wake-up call! I realized that I am an action junkie. There have been times during this year (heck, so many years of my adult life) that I felt powerless unless I was taking action that I never stopped to fully appreciate why I always felt so joyful to just sit around talking with all my activist friends during the planning, and after executing an event/action.
It was the sharing, the building of intimate connection, that gave me real soul. The actions, I knew, were the foot in the door to begin dialog with others. But, valuing the time with my fellow organizers was what was truly lacking in my realization of what mattered.
I've been blessed enough to work with many, many groups over my lifetime. Within those groups I always found a strong connection to several of my fellow members. Those connections have lasted even when the group or my relationship with the group didn't. My wedding this summer was full of people with whom I had made those deep connections. It was an honor that a good number of them were present, and that those who couldn't be there sent their best wishes!
Occupy Española promises to be one of the most fruitful groups I've ever belonged to. Last night there was the type of brave discourse that I have hoped and planned for for thirteen years. People were themselves. They spoke from the heart. And, yes, a couple of people left when they were no longer comfortable. That's how real it got.
I admire those who entered and remained in that dialog. It was full of the pain that we in this community have faced for centuries. It was also full of hope! In general, even the difficult parts were ultimately met with respect. I couldn't have asked for more; true respect for one another, as fellow beings spoken with truth, heart, and courage without regard to action. Dialog for dialog's sake. And, that my friends, is worth ALL the money the 1% and Wall Street hold!
They can no longer fool us. We can see them clearly. The emperor has no clothes. And, WE the People have found one another in dialog, at last! Que Viva Occupy Española!
Join us for the next Occupy Española General Assembly (meeting)
Date: Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Time: 7pm
Location: Northern NM College Cafeteria
921 Paseo de Oñate, Española, NM
For more information on the meeting call: 505-231-1433
Here are some of the sites for more information:
Occupy Española's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Espa%C3%B1ola-NM/123499061086609
Occupy Wall Street: http://occupywallst.org/
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