I have been reading news reports about the #Occupy movements around the country and the rest of the world. I have been seeing local protests in my new place of residence in Glens Falls, NY shown above. I have to admit, at first I was a little put off by it. I just came from an area that is hurting so very badly in the job sector. Not that Upstate NY has not been hit. The housing market was the only thing holding up St. Lucie County, FL and it just died overnight. Leaving many without work. Mini malls everywhere are just empty shells. Graveyards of businesses that used to be. My wife and I were witnessing real crime in the form of theft and murder within walking distance to our home. It was never like that when work was present. It was time for us to leave. I certainly do not think our new town is perfect by any means. However, there is one thing that we gained by moving here. People have pride in their town. History must be preserved. Local businesses are no exception. It made me realize why these protests mean something on the smallest level. People are hitting the streets here because they want these things to thrive. It is my hope that people back in Florida are doing the same. Especially in St. Lucie County. I invested the largest part of my life trying to make a music scene happen in that area. I do believe I made a difference on some level. I hope I did. I made a point of continuing to make music and book shows so that people could continue to do something as a unit. I loved every moment of it. It was never easy as our scene would go up and down over the years. I eventually had to move on for my own reasons. It was the hardest decision I have made in my life. I always thought local there and it was time for me to start thinking outside of that box or at the very least, start thinking local in a new place. This moving experience and the recent Occupy protests have made me think deeply about how important it is to get involved again. We need to stand together on some front. Any front for that matter. Support your fellow townspeople and speak up with a simple gesture. It could be as simple as buying from a local farmer, organizing a local punk rock show or hitting the streets to voice your opinion. Feeling good about where you live is the start. No change comes from wallowing in misery. I left Florida for the sheer need for change in my heart. Now is a time for change as a whole all over the world. Amazing times we are witnessing. I think local. I contribute to where I live because it feels good inside. How are you helping your area? How are you helping the world? Let’s come together and discuss on the street and online as well.
Take care,
Joseph Beaty