Standing on the Sidelines | Occupy Cleveland

I don’t have a list today. I just have one story.

I come to most of the evening GAs, but usually float away to clean things, introduce new people, or take care of individual needs. So I spotted an unfamiliar face at the edge of the crowd at last evening’s GA. I talked to a Black woman who looked like she was about 55 and asked if she was new to the gathering. Oh no, she said, I’ve been here a few times and I love what you all are doing!

Turns out, this woman works downtown, but can’t get away from work for the noon GAs. She comes to the 6pm GAs and leaves in time to catch her bus home before dark. We talked for a while about inclusion, and I pointed out that everyone is already a member of General Assembly, and she can participate on an equal footing with everyone else. Even if she just comes around for the first part of the meeting.

My new friend (whose name I didn’t ask) said she usually does “sideways thumb” but wasn’t completely clear on what it means. We talked about that for a while, and it came out that she mostly supports the decisions made but even when she disagrees feels it’s not right for a woman to get in the way or speak up.

Um, wow.

We talked for a while about how men and women interact in decision-making, but my new friend was very clear on her belief that God made women to nurture and men to lead. I just said, “Wow, we really do not see that the same way. At all.”

A bit later we walked to the bus stop together and I saw her off on the #15 with a hug.

Why am I telling you all this?

Because it was 100% totally made of awesomeness. And I am grateful. Check it out, here’s someone who’s a bit older than most of us, who was a stay-at-home mother for 20 years, who works in the public sector now and loves the Occupation movement even though her gender views are totally patriarchal.

I love it that our wonderful sisters–people like Becka, Erin, The Other Becca, Sarah, Scarlet, and many others–are leading and teaching out there every day, persisting even when we men sometimes do and say things that block, marginalize, and undermine. (Our issue, guys. Let’s get on that.) But I also love it that my new friend on the #15 bus feels included in a way that works for her.

This should absolutely be an inclusive, empowering, non-sexist movement. At the same time, if we’re supposed to be the 99% we absolutely must also embrace our sisters and brothers who’ve internalized things like racism, homophobia, sexism, and a hundred other unhealthy isms. There is no purity test. There is no political correctness check.

We are the 99%. That means you don’t have to be feminist enough, or anti-racist enough, or conscious enough, or even nice enough to engage.

And for that, I am grateful. That’s my Occupy Cleveland Appreciation for today. Peace all around!