How to spot an occupier: the good

In theory, the Occupy movement is a great idea. It’s a movement of Americans doing more than just writing opinion columns or griping while watching the news. It’s citizens using their Constitutionally given rights. This is what America was founded upon.

However, occupiers have recently faced an intense level of scrutiny and criticism. Movements are disintegrating or being shut down across the nation. In an objective effort to help those involved occupy more effectively, here are a few rules you can use to get your point across:

1. Don’t alienate your base. If you are truly part of the 99 percent, you must be supportive of the majority who are not protesting beside you. A friend of mine was walking by the Occupy Bloomington movement the other day with a Starbucks cup in her hand and got called a “capitalist pig.” She’s someone who has been following the Occupy movement and believes in its ideals. Just because someone is drinking a cup of pricey coffee or is dressed in designer jeans doesn’t mean they’re against everything you believe in. Be inviting to others if you want to gain support.

2. Keep an open mind. Be willing to listen to people who don’t necessarily agree with you. If you want other people to be receptive to what you’re saying, you have to be willing to put yourself in their shoes, so to speak. If someone disagrees with you, don’t condemn him. Instead, explain your reasoning for your position and invite him to explain his.

3. Know your facts. Go beyond just listening to what other people say and do some investigative work for yourself. Look at both sides of the Occupy perspective and avoid committing yourself to only sources that you agree with. Know your issue like the back of your hand and be able to rationally support your claims just as you would expect from your opposition. Don’t treat numbers and percentages like law. Statistics can be easily manipulated to make a point.

4. Have a sense of humor. The Occupy movement is becoming a part of our culture, and it’s going to be made fun of in the same way that anything else in the news will. Don’t get offended when people poke fun at your views, and don’t yell at people for exercising their right to free speech. They’re using the same rights as you.

5. Be peaceful. This hasn’t been a huge problem here, but movements around America are met with increasing brutality and are accused of violence and crime within the camps. Remain peaceful, and you’ll keep the focus on the issues that matter most: the things you’re protesting.

­— kelfritz@indiana.edu