MY NAME IS LARISSA.

Recently there has been much violence in my community surrounding the Occupy Movement. This disturbs me and I have been thinking a lot about it.

A few months ago I took a picture of myself with a sign supporting the 99%...including myself in the 99%. The Occupy Movement has accomplished something really amazing. It has ignited the hearts of young people in the United States to stand and speak up about the challenges many American families and individuals face: hunger, unemployment, lack of health care, lack of opportunity, lack of hope. I applaud this achievement.

I marched with the Occupy movement on the day of the General Strike in Oakland, CA when the port historically shut down. I watched and I listened to those around me. I chose not to return. Thousands of people marched right past federal buildings and danced in the streets. Something did not seem right to me. Now the violence is escalating on both the sides of the movement and the police.

I live and work in Oakland, CA. I talk to the business owners in my neighborhood regularly. The movement is hurting business for everyone...but especially mom & pop businesses...the folks who live in, support and supply the community. I find it hard to believe that it is any different in other communities across our nation. So, I ask the Occupy Movement AND the police to take a minute to reflect on what your goals are. What are you trying to accomplish? Is the violence achieving ANYTHING positive or constructive? It does not seem so to me. What good will it do if all the businesses in a town must shut down? How then will people be creating jobs? Where then will people get the things they need?

From the beginning I have said that I felt it is important to occupy our minds, bodies, souls and communities. But what does that mean? To occupy my mind I must know and speak my mind. To occupy my body I must be present to it’s health and needs. To occupy my soul I must be conscious of the interconnectedness of all beings. To occupy my community I must live there and be careful to make choices that are in the LONG TERM best interest of me AND my neighbors.

My method of occupation has been to pursue Art, get to know my neighbors, patronize my local shops and refrain from violence. To occupy a mind, body, soul or community each must be in a healthy condition. So let us make our choices wisely and engage in praxis. If you don’t know what praxis is, occupy a dictionary for a couple minutes.

I’ve watched some of the videos on youtube posted by “Anonymous”. Whoever this person is, they are speaking from behind a mask. To occupy and LIVE in our communities we can not wear a mask. It is irresponsible to follow orders from a person who will not show their face, will not tell you their name. This keeps you from being able to make an assessment of bias and motive on the part of “Anonymous”. To give orders from behind a mask is manipulative and cowardly.

It is time to look at 100% of the picture. Just because a person has money does not mean they have not worked for it. Just because a person does not have money does not mean they have not worked. Everyone has their own unique life and situation. A condescending bootstrapping mentality is just as myopic as an angry entitled mentality. No matter how much money a person does or does not have everyone must eat, sleep and shit to live. There are transgressions on both “sides”. It is time to practice personal accountability, forgiveness and cooperation. There is room at the table for all.

Police, put your weapons away. You are part of the community too.

Protestors, put your swords of righteousness down.

Government, open your ears and hearts and stop looking at the dollar signs.

We are all in this together.

The world is ROUND. It has NO SIDES.

When in doubt MAKE ART or PRAY and above all else...LOVE 100%.

In Light & Love,

Larissa