How Rena Occupies

According to Rena Patty, the occupiers of Zucotti Park are “committed to a non-hierarchical structure” as they move forward to make change and grow in numbers. While some occupiers “step into leadership roles”, the structure remains fluid says Patty. Ever since the world learned about Occupy Wall Street, there has been speculation about what occupiers want and who’s in charge. I guess that’s why the professor of my journalism class decided to go there as a class, and talk to occupiers. I had the pleasure interviewing Rena with my classmates, Lia and Jacob. Jacob’s video footage of the conversation with Rena probably won’t help you identify a specific goal or leader. But you will come to a better understanding of what this movement and the occupiers are all about.

Like the structure and mission of the occupiers, Rena’s role wasn’t crystal clear to me at first. And it shouldn’t be. She brought her expertise as a "certified trainer" in the field of "non-violent communication", and she cares about people deeply. Even though she doesn’t sleep in the park like other occupiers, she been a presence there since she arrived from the state of Washington about a week ago. Rena spoke a lot about helping the community of occupiers make “peaceful connections” with each other and the community around them. 

I listened to her talk in the terms that are relevant in her field of work. From her description of the world’s “sense of despair” to her words about making “peaceable connections”, it was all starting to make sense to me. Rena came to Zucotti Park as a doctor in the field of communication, of peace. Like a doctor would respond to a medical emergency, Rena responded to Occupy Wall St. She saw a need in a cause that meant something to her and she met the need.

Rena spoke a great deal about making sure everyone “has a voice” in the process. But who’s everyone? She talked about the importance of people “naming needs” in order to get along. Whose needs? And when she spoke about how to communicate to someone who isn’t communicating with you, she offered the example of “you’re not hearing me”. And then it occurred to me, that the largest mission of the occupiers is just being heard. Who? All of us! Here in the midst of an age of social media and a chance to communicate with the world, the people have the rare opportunity to simply be heard. So for now, the mission seems to be to make sure everyone has a voice! Therefore, you will only understand the message of occupiers if you listen very carefully.