Occupying Los Angeles 10-1-11

WE. ARE. The 99%! WE. ARE. The 99%! WE. ARE. The 99%! WE. ARE. The 99%!
Ten days after being immersed in the crowd of around 2000, the words still resonate through my core. Not since I had the pleasure of marching on Washington for GLBT rights in 1993, have I felt so empowered. This day, however was even better. In Washington, we were the 10%. Here, now, WE. ARE. The 99%.
This was a powerful day, indeed. The crowd was extremely diverse. Sitting on the lawn right next to two angry teenagers with a sign that read "Fuck the FED", was a mother and 4 yr old daughter with one that read "Wall Street Needs a Time-Out". Perspective. People were telling their stories and actually listening to each other. That's where the unification comes in. Your story IS my story.
My home is in foreclosure. We hired an attorney who determined that the mortgage was full of loan violations and did nothing else. Most likely the violator(s) will go unpunished. We, on the other hand, can't afford another attorney, so are SOL. My wife is a secondary school teacher with a Master's degree. Based on what is happening in other states, she is becoming concerned about her pension and retirement funds.
Hard work just doesn't pay unless you happen to be a straight, white, male with the right connections. The "American Dream" is a dead paradigm and I'm excited about what's to come. No matter what the end result of this movement, it is serving to unify this country like we have never seen before.
I challenge you to find an Occupation near you and spend some time there with your fellow citizens. Share your story. Listen to theirs. We will all be better for it. The Occupy movement is bringing America back together and I for one, am once again proud to be an American.
*Video by my wife, Jamie O'Neil