I like being a witness.
During the OWS protests, I went to the rallies and marched within them, not just because I believed in their passion and intention (however vague it was), but because I wanted to see what it was like on the front lines.
The news is skewed, we all know that. So when something like this comes up, I want to be there and participate in it to determine with my own 1st hand information what is right and wrong.
When the protesters were ousted from Zuccotti park, I was compelled to draw this picture. Thinking of the students, the nefarious bull and the way the big wigs smirked and slighted the protesters, the delicate ballerina picture that was the OWS calling card, I felt like the expulsion was deadly for the cause. I sensed then, and still do that their momentum was uprooted because of that, and in an era where “viral” ideas and content depend on a strong forward momentum to stay relevant, this was a harsh blow.
The fall of OWS. I’m still pretty pleased with how the ballerina turned out since I didn’t use any references for her pose.
A former classmate of mine dropped out of school to become a leader in the occupy movement. I always admired their determination, their willingness not to just sit back and “like” or “share” a bunch of causes on facebook, but to take the plunge and take real, life-changing action for the sake of their beliefs.