Wall Street: Occupied with Opinions

Tattooed Girl: "Mic check!"

Crowd: "Mic check!"

Tattooed Girl: "General assembly meets..."

Crowd: "General assembly meets..."

Tattooed Girl: "At seven p.m."

"Crowd: "At seven p.m."

The overwhelming mass of people pushing to and fro in Zuccotti Park nearly plows me over as I stop to stare at the screaming tattooed girl and the echoing crowd around her.

With the first of several Occupy Wall Street sound-offs, like the one above, comes my new ability to empathize with deer who become dazed by bright headlights.

As a born and raised Region 14 girl, my previous exposure to protests has been driven by groups of no more than 10 people who line up along Woodbury's Main Street holding signs that read "Vote Yes" in regard to the town budget or "Pro Abortion."

Feeling unprepared to experience a protest of this size, I walk around the park for an hour before I feel ready to speak with anyone -- reading signs and listening to outraged cries. Eventually, I am targeted as the perfect candidate to express opinions to.

I'm holding a notebook.

Russian Woman Distributing Fliers: "I have come, not to organize this movement, but rather to encourage the people here to come together in round table open forums. There, we can discuss problems we all want to see resolved. A noisy, confused, disorganized, sexual frenzy won't bring about the change we need. Instead, we should work together to decide on what the resolution for our problems is and how to bring it about. Many people here protest for the end of the Fed. or the distribution of wealth. These are not solutions. What we need is unity."

First Time Protester of 48 Years of Age: "Well, so far being here today has been great. I'm surprised I've lasted this long standing -- I work sitting in an office every day. I'm excited to be here and protest the 1 percent of corporations who hold all of the political sway that the 99 percent of us Americans can't afford to have, but are affected by. Take away corporations' abilities to influence politics and I'm happy." 

Guy Drinking Beer Through a Straw: "I've been walking around this park for days now. This isn't a movement; it's too disorganized. Maybe something could come of it though."

Self-Proclaimed Member of the Granny Brigade: "We are here because we are a part of the 99 percent of Americans. The Granny Brigade has been so welcomed by the young people here and we have learned so much from them. I hope the variety of people here continues to grow."

New York City Tour Guide: "This park gets more packed every day!"

Previous media coverage has characterized Occupy Wall Street as disorganized, and message-less. I fight strong urges to confirm the views of previous media coverage while speaking with each of the above individuals, in an effort to formulate my own opinions.

After a considerable amount of time spent collating facts, feelings and interview dialogues -- I humbly present to you the idea that America is merely a bit out of practice with starting up a protest movement.

Before condemning the movement to death by disorganization, consider the possible advantages Occupy Wall Street could benefit from by taking the time to hear a wide array of opinions and ideas.

Organizing requires something to work with. There is now a lot of material out there. While talking with the protesters I had the privilege of meeting in Zucotti Park, I saw fire in their eyes.

The thrill of feeling heard in a time of turbulent economic times is leaving those who once felt helpless, feeling empowered. Protesters will adhere to a movement where they feel valued and involved in the decision making process.

I predict that the message will come much later -- after conflict and consensus have a chance to work themselves out in a group which may be under-experienced in getting a movement underway.

I still have faith that 'We the People' can unite under the banner of free speech, under any movement, and accomplish what is good for our country.