Revolution begins with devotion to a moral vision and a belief that egregious wrongs must be made right. In this way all revolutions are a revolution within. These days, there is both revolution in the air and a fear that not enough of us are outraged.
We tell pollsters we’re angry, fearful, and dissatisfied, that we’re sick of greed, the power of big banks and the triumph of corporate personhood. Yet we continue to watch TV and shop at the nearest big box store rather than occupy our nearest park, move our money to a credit union or shop local. Me, I sent pizzas to Zuccotti Park, but I ordered them with my Bank of America Visa card. I read a lot about it and posted messages on my Facebook wall. I sent books to the library. Is that doing something?
In response to the complacency of “God Bless America” Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land Is Your Land.” When I hear his voice crack as he sings “This land is your land, this land is my land” it reminds me that it’s not up to someone else; it’s up to me. I am part of the 99 percent, part of the solution if I want to be. It reminds me that this is our America, albeit with liberty and justice only for some. In the words of Gil Scott-Heron, “the revolution will not be televised,” but it does have a soundtrack. This holiday season, we wish you your own merry little revolution.
