Those Fighters in the Streets

Bravery expresses itself in so many forms. When we see it, we almost always recognize it and appreciate it. People gain strength from it as at times they need it most of all. It can aid people in overcoming such obstacles as fear, doubt and trepidation as far as any approaching peril. It expresses itself through more than just allegories and mythology. Every day people all across the earth simultaneously draw on it to help them through the amazing stuff the day to day is often made of.

It is certainly summoned whenever people endeavor to challenge their government or system of rule to get over the inherent internal obstacles besetting those seeking to walk that path. Most that do so don't lightly take it on. They mean it.

They push themselves and those with them. That push is reciprocal. It's the stuff genuine social movements are built on. When such movements are taken up by a minority or repressed majority that took the time out to educate themselves regarding the mechanisms keeping them down, it's truly something to behold. They can be the sort of things written into history books, not because that's the reason for taking the action, but because the level of sincerity behind the movement was worth remembering.

People migrate towards the sphere of such actions because they too see something they wish addressed; something they've wanted to do something about, but up to that point for whatever reasons had not. The roots of it inspire them, perhaps beckoning them close. They can relate to what is being asked for, requested of or demanded of as things they too desire.

When people volunteer to step forward to rend what has been, especially through peaceful protest, it says a lot about the movement itself. Not only the requests and demands, but the overall spirit behind the movement.

Not all people can or will be involved in specific social movements initially. The need to be simultaneously compassionate and brave make them a select few willing to accelerate past their fears and self doubts not only to help their own lot but those of others. They see things they can no longer let go. They can't bear to see them continue. Inside they feel something has to change.

In today's world violent forceful change is something other than what's being talked about here, and often those that join violent upheavals have been forced to do so at gun point by the ruthless, merciless and/or people with less than desirable motives. I don't mean peacekeeping or self defense when violently attacked of course. Just that in general violence seems easier to come by and there is no shortage of corrupt outside entities willing to provide guns and ammo for a piece of the action once the dust settles. Quite often they see people like themselves reflected in those choosing to go on the offensive using violent methods to attain what they most desire. 

Modern history is full of such groups that get corrupted and taken advantage of by external forces such as corporations, governments or both. The nations they leave in their wake get stained by corruption and greed. This isn't always so, but there are certainly enough examples to point to throughout modern history.

Peaceful movements for change can work and are especially effective in already well established and prosperous Western Nations, though obviously increasingly in other places also. Most of us living in Western Nations desiring change don't see violence against our governments and the kind of upheavals those bring as actions we are interested in. Instead we seek transformation regarding certain practices or sets of laws for example by following the examples of people like Mahatma Gandhi or Dr Martin Luther King.

Perhaps it is justice or some combination of both. Whatever the desired change there have to be serious circumstances that get Westerners to step outside of their relatively comfortable lifestyles and take a chance at something a little better. Depending on what's being protested protesters themselves risk possible arrest, violent reprisals from authorities vehement about maintaining the status quo, loss of income, loss of friends and more.

Today in the streets all across our nation people are standing firmly for change. They do not ask for comfort in their quest compared to other recent political protest actions they are not that well funded as far as is known. They have made an effort to make their finances transparent; much more so than certain other recent political protest movements that when asked about their funding reacted as if they had been insulted, met with an affront or became visibly defensive. 

Their movement is not about pulling up to the protests early enough to find good parking for the brand new Cadillac, not that camping out people is a requirement of participation. They're fighting for a decent American future in terms of things like better job opportunity and education. They are not fighting against a specific group, merely to help empower their own. They do not seek to take from others, but to make certain aspects of our governing laws and regulations fairer for all. They want all Americans to be able to benefit from a healthier more robust society and not just for a wealthy few. 

They seek to ensure going forward America is not a society paying taxes for corrupt financiers dreaming up schemes meant to inject billions if not trillions into their pockets at the expense of the rest of us, and then have our government not only hand over the cash to them, but refuse to prosecute them for the crimes that led to them getting our money in the first place. They want leaders that don't just campaign on platforms of promising arrests, prosecutions of and convictions of financial swindlers, but that show the maturity to follow through once elected. What they don't want is people promising such things, then after getting elected appointing the very criminals they called on the carpet while campaigning, to influential government positions and partying with them in front of cameras broadcasting nationwide.

They want promises made to be promises kept. They are not backing down and their rapid spread across the nation and the globe, online presence and place in our everyday conversations is testament to their growing ubiquity in the background of our lives and the resonance of their message. They express something we have all been feeling, but they are brave enough to risk their safety and freedom to do so. They walk the walk so many of us for so long have been only talking, for whatever reasons, those fighters did it, They're there in the streets, and that among other traits takes conviction and of course bravery. They should be applauded for their ongoing sacrifice.

To read about my inspiration for this article go to www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com.