Recently I was posting a video slideshow of photos from my Granddaughters’ first Blues festival this summer, and found myself reading and/or re-reading the many post related to Occupy Wall Street/ Vancouver/ and elsewhere. This brought to mind the following quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead – US anthropologist & populariser of anthropology (1901 – 1978).
That got me to thinking about what to say to those who think organizing the occupations of financial districts, holding rallies, and creating peaceful demonstrations will not change anything. The simple fact is these are the very sort of things that brought and end to segregation in the US, apartheid in South Africa, British rule in India, an end to the war in Vietnam, women’s rights to vote, workers rights, protection of old growth forest, endangered species protection, rejection of privatisation of water, and other peoples victories large and small.
Those who got this new movement started, those who are joining in, and those who are supporting it know that change does not come quickly or easily. However, if the idea of change gets planted strong enough, it will become inevitable.
To quote Tommy Douglas – “Courage, my friends; ’tis not too late to build a better world”.
Hey Mike, Just wanted to say that I found these few words inspirational. I was starting to lose sight of what it was the occupy movement in Vancouver was really supposed to be about. This sums it up. Thanks