Occupy Thanksgiving: Sending the Message by Giving Thanks

WASHINGTON — Consensus might be a critical component to the Occupy movement, but The Washington Post reports the difficulty an interfaith group had in inviting Occupy DC to a culturally/philosophically attuned Thanksgiving dinner. It seems the McPherson Square Occupy group is so deeply devoted to the democratic process, getting a RSVP takes a lot more effort than a simple "temperature check."

Detailing the multi-day process of getting confirmation from the Occupiers that they will attend the vegan/vegetarian/Kosher/Halal/traditional feast might leave the "middle-fifty" wondering whether the movement is.... well... a bit "too..." This is where the Occupy movement(s) might need to be very careful in running too far a "fowl" of American cultural norms.

Thanksgiving may represent indulgence for some American families, but for many others, it is truly a time to "give thanks" for family, friends, health, and sustenance and a time to reflect, with tremendous gratitude, that they/we are able to provide for our families—and to pray or reflect on ways in which we can help those whose challenges may be more difficult.

Indeed, for half of our population, those struggling on the margins of financial stability, the act of celebrating Thanksgiving in the traditional way is more expensive and much more difficult than at any time in generations.

Here, Occupy DC has an opportunity to express their gratitude, while pointing out how many American soldiers are requiring food stamps and the donations of food, just to survive; how many American children are going to bed hungry; and, how much food prices have risen due to the subsidies and price supports paid to corporate farms and the 1% by ALL American taxpayers. Occupy needs to learn "never to miss a photo op," especially if it's a tearjerking reminder that most Americans cannot afford to live the Norman Rockwell portrait any more.


When Occupy is defined by primarily by "consensus fingers" and pepper spray, and not the important message that inequality is the malignancy at the core of our financial troubles, it will fail.