Lesson of the Occupy Movement - The Ed Show and Hemingway

Last night, I was watching the Ed Show on MSNBC.  Ed had a guy on there who was talking about the 99% movement in terms of us needing to learn lessons from the occupiers.  It made me realize that many of these big name people have not been actively “doing” in the occupations around this country and the world.  I mean, I knew this, but it didn’t really register until last night.  I, on the other hand, have been involved.  I have done something these supposedly very smart people have not.  Why?  For two reasons:

·         First, I care about exhibiting whatever power I can to prove that there is a great injustice in this nation.

·         Second of all, I’m not afraid to “do.”

This second point is extremely important.  Indeed, all of you who need a lesson to learn from the occupiers; how about this?  Get out and DO!  It’s really very simple, but there are a ton of people scared to death of being involved.  At the same time, the movement would not be remotely the size it is today without people who are passionate and willing to march and occupy and, in some cases, be arrested.

I recently finished Ernest Hemingway’s book, For Whom the Bell Tolls.  It was a fantastic war novel which captured passion in both love and war.  Early on in the story, the main character, Robert Jordan is talking with two guerilla soldiers (occupiers) that are helping him out, Pablo and Anselmo.  Anselmo decides to draw attention to Pablo not wishing to fight, saying that he was afraid of the “fox.”  Thus, the man instigated an argument between himself and Pablo.  This is the dialogue which follows:

     “Very little,” said Anselmo scornfully.  “Very little in my judgment.  To steal, yes.  To eat well, yes.  To murder, yes.  To fight, no.”

     “You are an old man who will make himself trouble with his mouth.”

     “I am an old man who is afraid of no one,” Anselmo told him.  “Also I am an old man without horses.”

     “You are an old man who may not live long.”

     “I am an old man who will live until I die,” Anselmo said.  “And I am not afraid of foxes.”

Pablo said nothing but picked up the pack.

     “Nor of wolves either,” Anselmo said, picking up the other pack.” (Hemingway 16)

Therefore, I urge you to reflect about whether you are the fox, clever but without the courage to stand up for what you believe in?  Or are you prepared to fight the wolves?