Ten Years

Has it really been a decade since...

Since falling in love with the spirit and community of the street, how did I miss it? How did time creep on by to suddenly show in a stark light just how long and far it has been. Do you hear it even now. The chanting voices joined in unison as we declare these streets our streets and beat down capitalism as if our united fist could rule the world. Thrust high into the air with banners and puppets, fire and smoke. A fear of tear gas and penned in/out by the cops. We live here! Didn't they hear? Voices uplifting to sing out with strength and determination, to win over the world with he simplest of ideas - peace and fairness. Not free, you see.

My heart gave itself over that day, that week was proof of what would come and what might become of me. A decade ago I fell in love with the virtues of fighting for what seemed right, giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for those who could not. N30 was the start of a journey that lead to an education and passion marked by injustices and corruption a well as hope and an understanding of living together, depending on one another. It was a change in paradigm and a break into a different kind of activism, decentralized and propelled by individuals. You know, be the change...

I saw the world change that day, I was there finding myself in the streets with chaos and beauty surrounding me. The violence and disorder a surprise, the police taking force beyond necessary levels just to prove a point. Anger and frustration forced my voice and I found the strength to stand my ground and form an opinion. I had ideas about the world and how to change it, ready to take on discussion and further studies. I was a part of it and we shut down the WTO.

A decade...

I was so young, not yet out of my mother's home still waiting on so many things to come. Now I am older, on my own with bills and a job. The passion remains, the streets still belong to all of us. You can still hear our feet and voices rising above the downtown buildings, carried to the ears of powerful men leading powerful lives. Corporate greed has got to go. I live it still, every action an act of revolution. Every statement, one of truth and justice. Love and admiration for the game, for the people I stand with and those that brave the harshest conditions to scrape out an existence and hope for the future.

Ten years of falling in love with a movement that is in constant flux, changing and shifting to always remain the same and true to life. The one and only; a battle with both bread and roses, tear gas and (rubber) bullets, songs and laughter. We walked together, we stood on ground unshakable, and we united with those behind bars. It was a difficult week, but ended with a sly smile. We had changed the world while everyone was watching. It was real, it happened, it was televised.

Here's to more of this, a constant change rippling out toward an ever distant shore to cause a change far greater than we had hoped for. I am still reaching for further enlightenment, deeper understanding, and a more resilient spirit of community and change. Here's to more.