Occupy is an expression of hope and an invitation to pay attention at this unique and expectant moment. It’s an opening, not a destination. People naming the obstacles to their full humanity, people in motion, people growing and changing and teaching and learning are people who can storm the heavens and accomplish the previously unthinkable. And Occupy has already won, that is, the movement has changed the frame, redefined the discussion, and introduced a range of new ideas into the public square, for example: We are the 99%! Like every other movement in history, it was “impossible” the day before it burst onto the scene, and yet it seemed suddenly “inevitable” the day after. The response of the powerful follows an age-old, exhausted and predictable script: ignore them, ridicule them, try to co-opt them, and beat the shit out of them—and all four responses are still in-play. The wonder of the movement is its ability to see these moves for what they are, and to hold tight to their independent vision, unique approach, and this precious thing. 99%!
>> As American culture has evolved over the past 100 years it has gone through some abrupt shifts in ideology. Perspectives changed dramatically through the mid 20th century and yet we are now seeing a kind of cultural stagnation in which there is a growing resistance to change. The concept of America as the «melting pot» has been thrown out the window and now immigration, class warfare and economic inequality are political campaign points. Why do you think there is such a growing market for the «Us vs. Them» fear mongering we are seeing in today’s political theater? BA: I fear you’re looking at history through rosecolored glasses. There has always been resistance to change, class warfare, nativist and jingoistic attitudes, and hatred of immigrants. And at any given moment, things can indeed feel slow and stagnating in spite of the fact that chaos, turmoil, commotion, pandemonium, dynamism, zip and zing are churning just out of sight. Look again. >> Throughout the later half of the 20th century there has been a constant attack on the educational systems of the US, particularly from the far Right. As states like Texas continue to rewrite the history