> OCCUPY WALL STREET: The Game of Colonialism and further nationalism to
> be decolonized from the “Left”
>
> by JESSICA on SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 · 90 COMMENTS AND 124 REACTIONS
>
> The “OCCUPY WALL STREET” slogan has gone viral and international now.
> From the protests on the streets of WALL STREET in the name of “ending
> capitalism” – organizers, protestors, and activists have been
> encouraged to “occupy” different places that symbolize greed and
> power. There’s just one problem: THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY BEING
> OCCUPIED. THIS IS INDIGENOUS LAND. And it’s been occupied for quite
> some time now.
> I also need to mention that New York City is Haudenosaunee territory
> and home to many other First Nations. Waiting to see if that’s been
> mentioned anywhere. (Author’s note: Manhattan “proper” is home to to
> the Lenape who were defrauded of the island by the Dutch in 1626 – see
> more from Tequila Sovereign).
>
> Not that I’m surprised that this was a misstep in organizing against
> Wall Street or really any organizing that happens when the “left”
> decides that it’s going to “take back America for the people” (which
> people?!). This is part of a much larger issue, and in fact there is
> so much nationalistic, patriotic language of imperialism wrapped up in
> these types of campaigns that it’s no wonder people can’t see the
> erasure of existence of the First Peoples of THIS territory that
> happens when we get all high and mighty with the pro-America agendas,
> and forget our OWN complicity and accountability to the way things are
> today – not just the corporations and the state.
>
> Let me be clear. I’m not against ending capitalism and I’m not against
> people organizing to hold big corporations accountable for the extreme
> damage they are causing. Yes, we need to end globalization. What I am
> saying is that I have all kinds of problems when to get to “ending
> capitalism” we step on other people’s rights – and in this case erode
> Indigenous rights – to make the point. I’m not saying people did it
> intentionally but that doesn’t even matter – good intentions are not
> enough and good intentions obviously can have adverse affects. This is
> such a played out old record too, walking on other people’s backs to
> get to a mystical land of equity. Is it really just and equitable when
> specific people continue to be oppressed to get there? And it doesn’t
> have to be done! We don’t need more occupation – we need
> decolonization and it’s everyone’s responsibility to participate in
> that because COLONIALISM AFFECTS EVERYONE. EVERYONE! Colonialism also
> leads to capitalism, globalization, and industrialization. How can we
> truly end capitalism without ending colonialism? How does doing things
> in the name of “America” which was created by the imposition of
> hierarchies of class, race, ability, gender, and sexuality help that?4
>
> I can’t get on board with the nationalism of an “American” (or now
> “Canadian!”) revolution – I just can’t. There has been too much
> genocide and violence for the United States and Canada to be founded
> and to continue to exist as nation states. I think John Paul Montano,
> Anishnaabe writer captured it quite well in his “Open Letter to Occupy
> Wall Street Activists”:
>
> I hope you would make mention of the fact that the very land upon
> which you are protesting does not belong to you – that you are guests
> upon that stolen indigenous land. I had hoped mention would be made of
> the indigenous nation whose land that is. I had hoped that you would
> address the centuries-long history that we indigenous peoples of this
> continent have endured being subject to the countless ‘-isms’ of
> do-gooders claiming to be building a “more just society,” a “better
> world,” a “land of freedom” on top of our indigenous societies, on our
> indigenous lands, while destroying and/or ignoring our ways of life. I
> had hoped that you would acknowledge that, since you are settlers on
> indigenous land, you need and want our indigenous consent to your
> building anything on our land – never mind an entire society.
>
> I will leave you with this new art piece from Erin Konsmo (also
> pictured above), our fabulous intern at The Native Youth Sexual Health
> Network she created on “OCCUPY: THE GAME OF COLONIALISM”. Hopefully
> you get the picture now.