A Spotlight on the 99%: A Profile of Sam Stein
As I’ve become more familiar with the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement and its people, I’ve also become increasingly fascinated by the diversity I have seen. So many people from all walks of life are involved in the OWS movement for both similar and different ways. Additionally, the OWS movement in NYC alone has been getting 500+ boxes a day of stuff- so the support for this movement extends beyond the people who are actually present in Zuccotti Park, events, General Assemblies and other discussions. I’ve decided to do a short series of interviews with different people who have made the decision to get involved in the protest, looking at different things such as their diverse background, their level of participation, and other interesting things they have to say. The first person I interviewed is Sam Stein. See below for his great answers to my interview questions!
How involved have you been and what type of things have you done for the protest?
I have been in and out of Occupy Wall Street since its beginning, and that’s one of the great things about this action and this space it has created. Because of the dedication of those willing to sleep on any given night, I can come and go from time to time, and know that it will still be there and vibrant. In that sense, I am not an active member of the occupation, but a supporter and a participant. I have spent time in the space, attended General Assemblies, participated in Jewish holiday services on Yom Kippur and Simchat Torah, marched in solidarity and off-sight rallies, helped protect the space from eviction, and wrote a piece about the meaning of our “occupied” spaces-“Sites Speak Louder Than Words: The Symbolic Language of Our Targets.“
What do you think are some misconceptions or general points about the protest that you’d like to clarify?
Well, I think one important thing to keep in mind is that more than anything else, Occupy Wall Street is a space in which a movement is growing, rather than a movement that’s occupying a space. Right now, it consists of four elements: a space we have claimed for ourselves; a shared critique of the current political economy; a democratic decision-making process; and some ineffable quality, that you can only grasp if you’re there participating in the actions. It seems to be on its way to becoming a movement, but that is a process.
Why do you think OWS is worth supporting?
Occupy Wall Street is worth supporting for two reasons: it is shining a light on many of the underlying inequities in our systems of governing and commerce, and it is open-ended and can become anything we want it to be. There is a space and a process to get involved and have your say in what this thing becomes.
Why would you encourage someone on the fence to get involved?
If you are on the fence, I would first encourage you just to go to Zuccotti Park. Many people have told me they are waiting to go- either they want to go for a particular event, or they just don’t know what they would do if they got there. Just go, take in the atmosphere, think critically about what is (and just as importantly what is not) happening there, and then decide if and how you want to get involved. But first go, and look around with an open mind.
What is one memory or anecdote you have from the protest that you’d like to share?
So far, my favorite memory of Occupy Wall Street was the end of the Yom Kippur service there, when the Rabbi, finishing his sermon, encouraged anyone who wanted to to make a pledge of something they committed to doing in the coming year. The pledges ranged from the relatively simple (“I will call my mother”) to the complex (“I will work to end capitalism”), with a whole lot between. After repeating these pledges back to the collective congregation, anyone who wanted to take on that pledge shouted in unison, “Aleinu,” Hebrew for “it is our duty.” It was a powerful moment.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I would like to say that for whatever its shortcomings and faults, the most amazing thing about Occupy Wall Street is that it ever happened, and its greatest strength is that it’s still happening. I hope to see it grow and improve, and win.
A lot of people out there think that Occupy Wall Street protestors are anarchists. While we are creating somewhat of a state of anarchy, would you like to explain what “winning” means for the OWS movement?
Two things. First of all, I can’t speak for OWS and define victory. Some people say we have already won, in shifting the narrative in this country towards issues of economic inequality and access to public space. Others say we will win when we influence public policy in a direction that favors the working and middle classes over the rich. Still others are working towards a more revolutionary transformation of our political and economic systems. So victory is defined on a number of scales, and people are working on all of those scales at once. Second, a lot of OWS protesters are anarchists! I hope when people think about anarchism now they will think of what they see happening on Wall Street, because whether or not we fly a black flag or agree on an analysis of capital and the state, it’s an excellent example of contemporary anarchist practice.
Thanks, Sam!
