OWS Protesters Arrested on BKLYN Bridge. Are You The Revolution?

"OCCUPY WALL STREET: The Game of Colonialism and further nationalism to be decolonized from the “Left”
By Jessica On September 30, 2011

By Special Correspondent Jessica Yee

Decolonization, the Game
The “OCCUPY WALL STREET” slogan has gone viral and international now. From the protests on the streets of WALL STREET in the name of “ending capitalism” – organizers, protestors, and activists have been encouraged to “occupy” different places that symbolize greed and power. There’s just one problem: THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY BEING OCCUPIED. THIS IS INDIGENOUS LAND. And it’s been occupied for quite some time now.

I also need to mention that New York City is Haudenosaunee territory and home to many other First Nations. Waiting to see if that’s been mentioned anywhere. (Author’s note: Manhattan “proper” is home to to the Lenape who were defrauded of the island by the Dutch in 1626 – see more from Tequila Sovereign).

Not that I’m surprised that this was a misstep in organizing against Wall Street or really any organizing that happens when the “left” decides that it’s going to “take back America for the people” (which people?!). This is part of a much larger issue, and in fact there is so much nationalistic, patriotic language of imperialism wrapped up in these types of campaigns that it’s no wonder people can’t see the erasure of existence of the First Peoples of THIS territory that happens when we get all high and mighty with the pro-America agendas, and forget our OWN complicity and accountability to the way things are today – not just the corporations and the state.

Let me be clear. I’m not against ending capitalism and I’m not against people organizing to hold big corporations accountable for the extreme damage they are causing. Yes, we need to end globalization. What I am saying is that I have all kinds of problems when to get to “ending capitalism” we step on other people’s rights – and in this case erode Indigenous rights – to make the point. I’m not saying people did it intentionally but that doesn’t even matter – good intentions are not enough and good intentions obviously can have adverse affects. This is such a played out old record too, walking on other people’s backs to get to a mystical land of equity. Is it really just and equitable when specific people continue to be oppressed to get there? And it doesn’t have to be done! We don’t need more occupation – we need decolonization and it’s everyone’s responsibility to participate in that because COLONIALISM AFFECTS EVERYONE. EVERYONE! Colonialism also leads to capitalism, globalization, and industrialization. How can we truly end capitalism without ending colonialism? How does doing things in the name of “America” which was created by the imposition of hierarchies of class, race, ability, gender, and sexuality help that?
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I can’t get on board with the nationalism of an “American” (or now “Canadian!”) revolution – I just can’t. There has been too much genocide and violence for the United States and Canada to be founded and to continue to exist as nation states. I think John Paul Montano, Anishnaabe writer captured it quite well in his “Open Letter to Occupy Wall Street Activists”:

I hope you would make mention of the fact that the very land upon which you are protesting does not belong to you – that you are guests upon that stolen indigenous land. I had hoped mention would be made of the indigenous nation whose land that is. I had hoped that you would address the centuries-long history that we indigenous peoples of this continent have endured being subject to the countless ‘-isms’ of do-gooders claiming to be building a “more just society,” a “better world,” a “land of freedom” on top of our indigenous societies, on our indigenous lands, while destroying and/or ignoring our ways of life. I had hoped that you would acknowledge that, since you are settlers on indigenous land, you need and want our indigenous consent to your building anything on our land – never mind an entire society.

I will leave you with this new art piece from Erin Konsmo (also pictured above), our fabulous intern at The Native Youth Sexual Health Network she created on “OCCUPY: THE GAME OF COLONIALISM”. Hopefully you get the picture now."
Tagged with: Decolonization • Occupy Wall Street • colonization • indigenous • politics
http://www.racialicious.com/2011/09/30/occupy-wall-street-the-game-of-co...

[It is one thing to rally, unify in protest...but the OWS has taken on a new character and will continue to do so as it grows and as people develop. What is important here is to be not just inclusive by inviting people who represent the US mainstream population, or those liberals who find some comfort living under capitalism as long as it does not trample on you, personally, but one must get a grip and understand many voices are being ignored or pacified by elements that cannot speak for us. But it does not mean we should be locked out, not represented or under represented. Do not speak over us, because you have not been speaking for us or representing the concerns we have. I am all for unifying all those like me, who understand, who live daily what it is to suffer the hell the colonized thinking, the settler mentality, the liberal voice who assert their privilege...without any thought that you are contributing to the occupation of indigenous lands and NATIONS by your limited understanding of national oppression. Yes we need to protest against the machine, but consider your contradictions that many who live in the US are the original people and some who fled the horrific conditions in their homelands that was and is continued created by US imperialism -- colonization...We all can unite in regard to the onslaught created by the capitalist state, by US imperialism, but the spectrum is much larger than I hear or read from those who assert themselves while not thinking about the larger picture. We cannot reform or change the US government...it has to be crushed and replaced with the understanding these are indigenous lands and we demand that all our Nations are represented, with a voice as caretakers of Turtle Island. This is true, not only in the contiguous USA, but the other colonies like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, etc..
Manifest Destiny persists,and the suffering beyond many of your imaginations or consideration. Those resisting it since the US came into power, must be heard, counted and represented. Otherwise you will be perpetuating colonization and racism in all its forms.
Consider what Occupation means to those who suffer the onslaught of US military occupation, be it Treaty lands...reservations, be it US/Israel occupying Palestine, US/NATO occupying Haiti, US/NATO occupying Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc etc...we all know occupation and I am coming to DC to protest, PROTEST, the occupations by US imperialism and its allies...If you really want a new and better world, than consider the work one must make to coalesce all those affected by the US capitalism and Imperialism. ~ ~Hacha]

I hear the OWS protesters have now been released all 700 of them

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