How I think us Mom's can start helping our OWS protesters in the cities across America

My daughters were just saying they want to go get food at Costco and have us take the food down to the protesters at Occupy SF. Its an opportunity to show our support. I thought this was a wonderful idea. I'm sure its being done already, but I am reaching out to others who like me may be able to afford to do this. It doesn't have to be big but its a way we can all start helping and participating.

My daughters make me so proud....my oldest daughter saw the pepper spray video from UC Davis and cried and was very upset. We have been discussing over the years the civil rights movement, MLK etc. We were discussing what non-violent protest means and also since the Arab Spring across the Mideast discussing the images and events happening there and why. When my daughter saw weeks ago the Police in Oakland shooting tear gas & objects at the Occupy Oakland protesters my older daughter said it looked like Syria. When she saw the UC Davis officer yesterday spraying pepper spray on the students who were sitting on the ground peacefully, she shouted "but this is America!".

When my daughters asked why we haven't been down there protesting, i told them that its not safe for them. I believe thats true and as a mother i cant expose them to a dangerous situation. There is an irony that when i was pregnant with my older daughter i was living in Seattle and had gone down to show my support during the WTO protests & if it had not been for a cell phone warning from my old friend Randy Hayes of the Rainforest Action Network that the Seattle Police were teargassing the crowds, i would have been trapped & possibly injured. Here we are, 12 yrs later and look what she is seeing. Nothing has changed and arguably is much worse. But I'm so proud when she and her sister suggested taking food to the protesters. They said it was like we would be going to go feed & support the troops fighting for the 99 % and the future of our country and world. Its a little way, but maybe that is what us mom's & our kids need to do to support the cause.

:hug:

...ages 12 and 11---and I showed one of them the recent UC Davis pepper spray video. She
was astounded. We talked for a bit, but your post is a good reminder that we need to really
sit down and talk. So, thank you. And you are a terrific mother for taking the time to
talk with your daughters about these important issues.

They obviously "get it". They want to help out and take food. I think that's wonderful.

I think taking food is a terrific idea. I'm sure it means a lot to them--to know that others
who may not be there--are watching and aware of their courage.

Thanks for the great post--from one mama to another! :hug:

I remember you posting in the "early DU days" when we were the Moms of little ones.....they are now growing up, quickly as you know all too well and they are far wiser than we often realize or credit them. Some people might criticize our parenting for exposing our children to these images....i think they are exposed to far worse these days in everyday life and this is similar to what would have happened when kids were growing up in the 1950's/ early '60s and the difference between parents who "shielded" their children from the images of the police dogs and batons beating protestors for the civil rights movement or those that used this as an important learning opportunity. I so worry about the world we have brought them into and what the future holds if it keeps on the path it has been on that the 1 % wants for this world. We all need to participate and support in whatever way we can, even if we cant "put our bodies" on the line against the machine. But if something as simple as bringing an apple & a sandwich can help these protesters who are fighting for us all, then its a huge contribution. Same for bringing warm sweaters or anything to help fight the elements as we enter the winter months.

:hug:

in.

....energy and fight peacefully for another day putting themselves out there for all of us who cant be there with them.

And what better to do during the holidays for our fellow citizens and neighbors to show we care ?

:hi:

:hi:

I think it is a wonderfully empowering experience to take part in with the much younger youth of our nation.

I take my 13-year old daughter down to Occupy regularly.

When she is with me, I just understand that there are safety limits and triggers that have to be pulled no matter how emotionally charged the situation can become and I feel compelled to react...

My daughter really appriciates it...

Sorry to sidetrack your thread, I think it's a wonderful idea, and your daughters are wise/kind beyond their years...

THANK YOU!!!

Your not sidetracking at all....you are another mom who is sharing her experiences and lessons with us all....

We all need to make sure our children learn from what is going on & teach them.....

:hug:

I do shop locally but confess if im going to go down with some sandwiches for the OWS protestors that i will buy the big bulk loaves of bread at Costco....