The 99% Movement literally means a movement of what is probably 99.99% of the people in the United States alone. While raising awareness of the economic injustice is clearly evident as a remarkable public relations 'operation' as original organizer David DeGraw indicated in my recent interview with him, it is also a long way from clearly connecting to that real majority that already identifies with that core idea.  This is where everyone's personal responsibility is essential starting with those who are engaged in actions and call themselves organizers, supporters, or protestors working in the Occupy Movement. 

How do we better connect to our audience that supposedly already understands and empathizes with the basic message?  This is why many of us who say that they understand what the 99% and Occupy Movements are all about at the core really need to pay more attention to what that really means. It requires that all of us do more of our homework, give more thought to what we do before we act, and contemplate how to make unity and effectiveness more attractive as much as possible.

For instance, some unity exists in knowing how this movement actually started. Do you know the basic story of how the 99% Movement evolved into the Occupy Movement? Do you know how much of the movement's inspiration originated as a global phenomenon in Latin America, the Middle East and Europe? 

While the movement isn't about just one leader, it certainly isn't a leaderless organization.  It is a decentralized grassroots bottom up movement where everyone is a leader.  As I see it, understanding some of these basic ideas of how the movement(s) started makes outreach much more effective. 

I must admit that there is always much more to learn even about the core issues. Learning is a constant process as is keeping the ego in check. Just like balancing responsibilities in our day to day lives, it is sometimes also a tedious process to sort through priorities, but as we do this and as we get better organized as a movement, the outreach also becomes more effective.  As the outreach becomes more effective, we reach more of the 99% and the active participation grows.  

It is quite clear to me that the movement isn't going to grow just because more people feel the economic crunch.  We also have to be better organized, get to know each other better so that we can minimize personal issues, and always be more cognizant about HOW we present ourselves to the general public and HOW we assess our own roles.  We also must know who our true allies are without demonizing or needlessly putting anyone on a pedestal in the process. 

Speaking of process, it is a process for 'newbies' to understand how this is a whole different approach to direct democracy than we all had been taught in conventional society, so we always have to be very patient with our brothers and sisters who are experiencing the phenomenon for the first time.

Occupy is a very young movement and as all movements, struggles with problems of its' infancy. As long as we focus on priorities and not let our own personal agendas interfere with real projects and actions being completed, maintain the integrity of the movement and leave the egos at home, and reach out more and more to our audience locally, nationally and internationally, we will continue to not only be effective conveying the message, but our internal organization will be more effective.

Love and Peace NOW!

Nowman 

I will continue this dialogue online and in personal conversations. As more and more collaborative projects start coming together, I hope to work with some of you as the outreach evolves while incorporating more and more of our talents and skills. Of course we must always maintain the integrity of the movement!  Check out Occupy Outreach on Facebook and start sharing outreach ideas there with occupiers around the globe. INSPIRE EACH OTHER! 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Outreach/141679115935494