I've Got a List of Demands Written on the Palm of My Hand

"List of Demands" by Saul Williams

(Updated Below)

Why we are giving into the pressure of outsiders trying to discredit us is beyond me. Our demands aren't clear enough? And that's a problem because...?


It's a problem for the people seeking to co-opt us and/or marginalize the Occupy movement because they want most of all to get into a technocratic discussion of why we can't have what is our right as human beings to have. Of course no technical tweaks will offer any reprieve of our grievances; our collective alienation, oppression, and dehumanization are built into the system itself. And of course the powers that be know that, and as long as we are talking about specific reforms we play into their hands.

This movement is at it's best when it creates an opportunity to practice community and democracy outside the system. Our foremost demand should be to continue to do just that, and for others to do it as well. It is at it's worst when we allow ourselves to be portrayed as a party that people can shop around for. We are NOT the left wing's answer to the Tea Party. We aren't another party--we are a new party that doesn't require parties, because party systems are undemocratic.

So if people must have a list of demands, in order to show other people what we stand for, and to give common cause for others to join us, then perhaps that following list will suffice:

1. We demand the right to represent ourselves in a democratic fashion.
2. We demand the right to speak about our non-freedoms however we want, whenever we want, whereever we want.
3. We demand the right to have a dialogue with each other about how to build a better world for ourselves.
4. We demand that we and every person on the planet is guaranteed all human rights, including but not limited to:
1. Education 
2. Healthcare
3. Nutritious food 
4. Shelter befitting a human being as defined by the person themself
5. Productive work of a person's choice that is not exploited by others for profit
6. The right to love who we want, however we want
7. The right to clean wind, water, soil, and air
8. The right to associate with others as we see fit and to engage in community in ways we find fulfilling
5. We demand the right to control our own destiny and the destiny of all fruits of our labor.
6. We demand an end to alienation and economic exploitation.
7. We demand an end to all institutionalized forms of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, sizeism, islamophobia, antisemitism, or any other system of oppression which impoverishes some and grants power and privilege to others.
8. We demand a society where the good of all is placed above the profit of a few.

In short, we demand that we, and every other person on this earth, are treated with the full rights and dignity that is fitting for a human being.

(note: This list is hardly exhaustive, I know. I will gladly add something if you think it belongs here).


UPDATE 10/26/11: Occupy Boston ratified this Statement of Purpose, and in my opinion it's right on track.