Summer 1932 (photo source unknown)
November 2011Old is new—or maybe vice versa—with a heaping helping of technology mixed in.
Photo: Scoboco/Flickr, via Gothamist.
Prostesters camping out, much like in the old days, but this time the word is spread—and the serious news reported—by tweets, cell phone pictures, and Bat signals.
The phase of occupying city parks may be over, but the movement is not; in the year ahead it will be very interesting to see what happens next.
Following the 99 percent movement—and earlier, Wisconsin's dramatic reaction to its state government takeover—were last year's bright spots in news.
Grassroots action could inject some reality into this election year, despite what the major media choose to cover.
Most reporting of the recent death of Vaclav Havel was predictable, quoting world leaders on loss of one of their own, and of course noting the end of communism in the former Soviet bloc.
Havel was a writer instrumental in launching public challenges to the Czechoslovak communist regime, beginning in 1977 and succeeding in 1989. His example is a reminder of what is possible if people decide to use (in Havel's phrase) "the power of the powerless" and stand up to tyrants.
A remembrance of Havel by Timothy Garton Ash.
For me, 2012 will be a year of trying to keep up with the Wisconsin recall and with how OWS develops—possible sources of good news to look forward to.
And I'll try to do some reading up on our nearly forgotten history.
Senator George Norris, co-sponsor 1932 Norris-LaGuardia Labor Act (photo source unknown)After all, in a time when most workers are left behind in one way or another—unemployed, or doing the work of three for the pay of one—some of the old, suppressed ideas are still the best.
IWW "silent agitator" sticker
Image: Rebel Voices
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