You need a spokesperson to bring focus to your demands.
I've been following OWS as much as possible since it first started. With the streams and Reddit, I watched it grow from about 10 people in front of Wall Street to a global movement. I went to my local Occupy movement and took photos, too. I understand the problem that OWS is protesting. And I'm glad that they even have some demands now, however hidden they are.
However, a lot of the message seems to be muddled by a lack of cohesiveness within the movement. Almost every single person I have talked to about it has said, "They just don't seem to have a clear goal." You can only blame the lack of media coverage so much. Because who is the media supposed to talk to anyways? The only option they seem to have is the people protesting in the street. So sure, they could get Business Degree Bill, a recently graduated marketing major that is $50,000 in debt and hasn't been able to get a job. He has experience speaking in public. But there is an even higher chance that they get Comp. Sci Kyle, who has never spoken in front of a camera before. Or Welder William, who thinks the solution is to set fire to the 1%.
What the movement needs is a spokesperson. No, not a leader. One of the main points of the movement is that there should not be a leader. But what about a spokesperson? And what about a committee that analyzes and outlines the major goals? The committee looks at what the people are protesting the most, and pass it onto the spokesperson. The spokesperson then speaks with the media and in public. Hell, have the spokesperson run for office. If the committee botches it, the protesters can always add signs liked "Spokesperson Steve does not speak for #OWS!" And OccupyWallSt.org is already doing the job of the committee.
Someone may have a better idea, but this spokesperson could always be elected by having web-based polling stations at Occupy movements and online. All you need is a few people with laptops.
A lack of organization worked at first, but I for one think it's about time you stepped it up. Your message works for the people that take the time to leaf through the bullshit on the internet to figure out what exactly you want. But the common person has no idea what you're all about when they see "We are the 99%". So what? What do you want to do to become the 100%? Let people know.
TL;DR: Bring your demands out front and have someone with strong debate and public-speaking skills be able to represent the movement on the public stage.
Posted Dec 2, 2011, 12:59 AM UTC