Inclusiveness at Occupy Portland

I sat on a bench next to some homeless men in the park today, and no one asked me for money.

I’ve spent a lot time around homeless people in my life, but tonight I saw something I’d never seen before. Tonight I saw homeless and disabled people being treated with love and respect by their community. Free cigarettes were the rule.

Hell, free everything was the rule.

No one asked me for money, though we all needed it. No one tried to sell me anything except ideas. People talked and listened to each other. They shared their stories and their work. Yes, there were crazy youngsters in all manor of dress. Yes, there was yelling and smoking. Yes, it was wet and muddy, but there were volunteers constantly sweeping muddy walkways.

Today I sat on a bench with homeless people and watched as their community treated them like human beings. Today I was at Occupy Portland.

It’s not all star trek and hippies in the park.

The philosophy is that everyone is welcome at Occupy Portland. However, even in a community practicing love and justice it still takes work. Ron Paul supporters spent the day creating argument and getting yelled at. And, anyone who’s afraid of the police is going to be nervious, because the police patrol every hour. While we all dream of a better world, we should also take this time to realize racism is a also a part of the 99%. Yet, even as I stood next the ‘crazy’ Ron Paul supporters, the community, the individuals of community, would walk by and constantly remind everyone to be inclusive. Inclusive means accepting Ron Paul supporters are welcome to #OccupyPortland. A small handful even welcome the police…

The best #occupy twitter finds of the night

The Casual Vegan