Thank you to the Troublemakers

Troublemaker

Noun

A person who habitually makes trouble for others; esp., one who incites others to quarrel, rebel, etc.

As I was getting ready for work this morning I heard a reporter on one of the local Toronto morning news shows advise that most Occupy Toronto protesters where leaving St. James Park in Toronto peacefully but there were some "Troublemakers" refusing to leave.

Up until now I embarrassingly admit that I haven't given the actual protesters that much thought.  Their message has been unclear and it seemed (Not saying that this is actually the case, and even if it was, who cares?) that there were as many people just camping out as there were exercising their right to gather, protest and work for change. (Do not email me with the legalities of this, I really don’t give a shit).  This morning however, that term "Troublemaker" caught my attention. I had the same reaction I do when I bite into something cold sans Sensodyne, cringe, ouch... Troublemakers?  WTF does that mean? Why is there a negative connotation to that word, especially in this particular case?  Isn’t that what you have to be? What else could the protesters be but Troublemakers and Rebels?  Have you ever tried to fight an injustice nicely, politely, patiently?  How far did it get you?  Was justice served? Of course they are Troublemakers and thank goodness for them. 

Although I may not necessarily agree (I’m not sure exactly how I feel about this, I confess I switch back and forth regarding its efficacy), with occupying the park, and I wish they had a clearer message, if for no other reason than to shut up all the naysayers who constantly use their lack of a clear message as some type of proof of their incompetence, I want to thank the Troublemakers.  I want to thank them for doing what I am too busy, too tired, perhaps too cynical and jaded, possibly too scared to do. Thank you Troublemakers for standing up for what you believe in and reminding us we can and we should.

Are they lazy?  Are they hippies (say it isn’t so!)? Are they jobless, crazy radicals or social crusaders? I think they are a combination of many things and maybe some folks who have it harder than most so they seem a little angry.  Ok some of them seem a lot angry but there are individuals and families out there who have a lot to be angry about; you know, what they will feed their kids, where they will live, that kind of thing. If you are thinking to yourself right now, “how is that my problem”, you might as well stop reading.  In the end they are just fighting for people and those in power to acknowledge that the system isn’t working for many.  We need to keep in mind that that means different things to different people, for some it means no vacation this year, for others it could mean not being able to afford medicine for themselves or their children (hence that whole really angry thing).  I know it’s inconvenient and easy for me to say as I’m really not personally inconvenienced by this particular protest, but next time it may be a cause you give a shit about and you will be told to, “just move along.”

If you are a Troublemaker…if you have ever fought for Aboriginal rights, Women’s rights, fought against racism, sexism, homophobia, violence against women and children….if you have ever fought for the right to choose, the right to drink clean water, for human rights...thank you.