I had the day off today so I decided to do what any fun-loving 30 year-old does away from work, attend a political activist event. I'm glad I went. Not because it shed new light on a significant issue nor to push my own agenda or to witness someone cuffed and drug away. I'm glad I went because it was genuinely enjoyable and I'm a sucker for impromptu sign-making.
I went with an open mind hoping to learn, specifically, the common goal and how occupying a public park in downtown Dallas is the means to an end. I quickly found several people eager to talk to me on camera. There were many issues that the occupiers were concerned about. They were concerned with the lack of wealth among most of society, legalization of drugs, corporate greed, the U.S. political system, minimum wage, and First Amendment rights, among others.
The two most prevalent themes I found were shirtless guys with tats and unsolicited assertions that the peaceful gatherers were not "dirty hippies". I don't have a problem with tats or hippies but the fact is the minute you set foot in a public park sans shirt and with a guitar you are tacitly.....a hippie. To be clear: in park with guitar-not a hippie; in park shirtless- not a hippie; in park with guitar and without shirt-hippie.
I was hunkered down for a couple of hours and everyone welcomed me to hang around with my camera while they had internal discussions ranging from the rules about having an insurance policy when gathering in a public space to what to do if arrested. A discussion was had between a journalist/activist from a little-known, local media outlet and an activist about the problem with having a warrant out for one's arrest. It was decided that the individuals with warrants should avoid being arrested.
The camp setup at the park was about what one would expect. They had a couple central base areas, lots of tents, and a generator. One of the campers said he was in favor of finding a way for the generator to be powered by a bicycle instead of gas but he hadn't put it all together yet. There were blankets and linens drying on a park wall after being washed in the fountain and a significant amount of bagged garbage sitting near a garbage can. It was fairly clean other than that. There were also plenty of drums (both bongo and snare) which is a key indicator of a big league political activist event. Nothing says "I have a problem that needs to be dealt with!" better than a unison chant accompanied by a shiny Ludwig Supra-Phonic. Hand-clapping is for B-squad amateurs and union picketing; big boy movements require drums.
The signs I saw read, "Stop Police Brutality!", "Trickle down feels a lot like being pissed on", and, "Tax Bill O'Reilly out of Existence!". This furthered my belief that the "movement" was unorganized and lacked a central theme and focus. At one point an activist broke into a group conversation we were having stating, "I have a quick announcement. There's a major event happening at City Hall right now so we're marching". To which another activist replied, "What's the event?". The eager one said back, "Uh, we don't know".
I think this movement is like so many before it. There will always be a group of young people with no direction or purpose who are in search of both. Media pundits have been saying that this movement must have started many months ago and was planned to interfere with and undermine the conservative political agenda. That may be true. However, if that is the case these kids were unaware of its beginning or roots. I got the feeling during all of my conversations that these individuals had somebody espouse a handful of beliefs to them and they have run with it ever since without thinking the ideas through. It didn't feel as though they had their own personal arguments over their beliefs to validate them. These people want to be a part of something important, in contrast with their usual activities and livelihoods which few of those to whom I spoke would deem important. I don't happen to think that an "important life" can be defined easily, but it's worth noting that none of these individuals fit the mold.
If you are wondering if this protest/movement was exactly what you have pictured in your mind, it was. Thank you Dallas! Fight the power and keep your shirt on!
View today's video below:
