From a journalist's perspective
by Mira Allen
Dear Occupy,
Thank you for stealing my job. No really- I’m serious. I’m an underemployed journalist who could not be happier that you have decided to take the reins. Fortunately, my career has taught me to be resourceful, so don’t worry about me. I’ll figure out a way to earn a paycheck soon enough.
Occupy, you’re the latest illustration to us in the media that our job descriptions are antiquated and redundant. Even though my account balance at Bank of America is dwindling at a rapid pace, I could not be more ecstatic by the increasing numbers of empowered individuals who are reporting from the front lines. And fuck Bank of America anyhow. If I wasn’t currently in France I would have joined you in closing my account a long time ago.
Journalists everywhere are lamenting the fact that we have are having the bullhorn forcibly pried from our sometimes overreaching grip. Let me rephrase that: Old and stubborn journalists everywhere are lamenting this. Many of us who appreciate journalism for the vital service it provides look on the demise of our current careers/publications/way of life with sad but relieved eyes.
Society at large is picking up the slack when it comes to reporting injustices. The Internet gives anyone with a connection the power to amplify their voice. You’re doing an awesome job. Keep up the good fight.
I became a journalist some years ago because I saw rampant abuse of the microphone by mass media. This injustice was the inspiration (and frequently the only sustenance) that dragged me through college, exhausted and broke. In the end I earned the opportunity to write. I also earned a sizable student loan debt like everyone else.
Free and fair access to information is the cornerstone of any healthy society. I went to college to contribute to that. But things have changed in these few short years. You no longer need a college education to contribute.
Many say this has undermined the institution of journalistic integrity. To those people I say you’re fucking blind if you think that institution wasn’t burned to the ground when Reagan got rid of vital media regulations in 1987.
Mass media conglomeration was a direct result of Regan’s horrific attack on rules that were created to avoid media monopolies. It’s the reason that virtually everything from cable television, print, radio and billboards in the United States is controlled by a mere six corporations. This was the beginning of the problem.
Occupy, you’ve given me reason to believe that there is hope. It’s been a long time since I allowed myself to indulge in hope. For that, I’d like to take this opportunity to extend some words of gratitude to all of your Facebook page admins, Twitter profile managers, Youtube uploaders, bloggers, photographers, and all other media vigilantes who are working tirelessly to ensure this revolution is televised. And tweeted, photographed, hypothesized on and discussed. Thank you, truly.
Since you’re all collectively sitting at what used to be my desk, I’d like to humbly offer some advice. This advice comes from someone who has worked on the inside of one of the main institutions you need to topple (or at least redefine) in order to achieve something substantial. I have faith in your ability to do that. Please keep the following in mind:
Engage as many people as possible. Even if you don’t agree with them. Opening the door to discourse is absolutely imperative. It is the best way to keep people informed and avoid the flood waters of misinformation. Keep talking, and do it as loudly as possible.
Educate those who need it about all of the platforms available, be they digital or tangible. This will empower people to realize that they are the story creators. Remember that you are now the voice, not the draconian mass media. They are too busy rolling around in bed with the bankers. Now is your time to shine.
Create the story. Mass media is no longer the single bastion of information. They have lost gatekeeping privileges due to massive abuse and neglect. This spells opportunity for you.
You are now the journalists. You are also the editors, the publishers, even the wide eyed intern who has to take out the garbage and bring everyone overpriced coffee drinks. You represent the entire newsroom. You’re the building housing the newsroom.
Question everything. Question your questions. In this age of digital uncertainty, we have all adopted an unorthodox way of getting our information. Stitching together pieces of headlines gleaned from our Facebook friends, Twitter hashtags, RSS readers and a variety of mobile aps. Comb through it all with a discerning eye. Do not accept anything at face value.
Those who wish to keep everything as 99% vs. 1% are throwing wrenches in your well-oiled machine. Make sure to keep an eye out for them. They come in the form of planted agitators on the ground, on the internet, in the media. Out them as quickly as possible. Getting a proverbial ‘kick me’ sign on them rapidly will ensure they can’t do much damage.
Do not play into their hands. Responding with violence gives the media exactly what they want. They can focus on the sensationalism of the sound bite, the disorganization of the movement to distract themselves from the inevitable truth. This will also lessen your chances of getting arrested.
Anger and ignorance are the only things that can be used against you to oppress you. Presenting a compassionate and informed front will defeat them from the inside. This is not to say you need to get all kumbaya and hug trees while sporting some tie dye. Just continue to be the bigger person in this argument.
Recognize your differences as a source of strength. ‘Divide and conquer’ has been the rallying cry of oppressors everywhere since the beginning. This is a play on our instinctual fear of the unknown. In your ranks you have people of different ages, colors, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations. Herein lies your strength.
The broad brush strokes of variety represent an infinite pool of skill sets, life experiences and perspectives. Be sure to tap into this pool frequently for resources and also to strengthen your forces. Do not let anyone continue to draw invisible and needless lines between you and your neighbor.
Unify your demands. This does not mean you should give up regional requests or somehow gentrify your voice. But, giving mass media something to grasp onto will help them to (possibly) report on it more accurately. It will also go a long way in insuring that your actions are effective. Giving people a singular idea to unite behind is a great way to facilitate solidarity.
It is not up to me to advise you on how to go about this. Within your group you have thousands of bright minds capable of creating a process through which you’ll arrive at these decisions. There are a plethora of statement documents available online- what’s to be said is which one is the official.
You’re doing an amazing job. Don’t give up. In the past, history was written after the battle. Words were dedicated to paper, fashioned by a heavy hand laden with ulterior motives. Today, every single one of you are the writers. Please handle the pen carefully. The story is being written as it happens, and it will not be silenced in the future. Your collective voice is too loud to quell.
Maybe I’ll see you on the front line.
In Solidarity,
Mira Allen