I live in two worlds. One world brings me close to the streets both through being a chaplain at the Occupy camp, and in the experiences I've had working with the homeless. The other world is that of being a well-paid, middle-class, professional in a position of influence, privilege and status. Both my worlds give me access that others don't always have.
Whenever I am with the Occupy camp I yearn for the presence of more of my professional friends. I think we have a lot to offer to the conversations taking place within those camps. And it's not all political. I think we have a lot to offer in conversations about life, values, dreams and ambitions. Granted, there are several freeloaders and parasites that hang out and drag down the Occupy camp, but for the most part I've met an incredibly talented, sharp, bright bunch of young adults who, despite being betrayed by the American Dream, are still courageous enough to battle for a better life -- not just for them but for us all.
I wish more professionals would take time to hang out for a couple hours at the camp, because the longer you are there the more deeply you will see and feel. Sometimes a superficial, casual drive-by glance shows only the chaos and the dirt. But insert yourself into the picture with listening ears and a willingness to engage in simple, basic conversation, and your perspective will change.
I admit there are times when I want the camp to just go away. I think it's unfair that the college is sucking up the financial costs. I worry about the physical health of the campers, about winter sickness and disease. I worry about safety, particularly of the young women there. I think that the camps have made their point -- now let's move on.
But then I actually go there and hang out and come away knowing that the camp itself is part of the message. The young adults at the core are canaries leading us into a new flowering of democracy. It isn't pretty, but it is necessary. The campers are Marines who take to the field first and create openings for others to follow.
I wish professionals would go to the camps and experience the artistry from inside the canvas, so to speak. But I also know that professionals won't and can't stay there. We professionals have our own responsibilities and our own skill sets and pathways of influence. We professionals need to come together within our own conversations. We need a place to talk through the complexities of economic justice and a politics without corporate corruption. We need a place to address the question: "What can I do if I'm not in a tent and I don't go on marches?" We need, basically, a "real change" salon, one that moves thought into action.