Occupy Valentines Day?
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across the world for months now, demanding that the top 1 percent of income owners take note of the hard-working, lesser-income travails of the other 99, saying Capitalism as we know it is broken - we need another way.
With February 14th coming around the bend, a Tumblr site called Occupy Valentine's Day seeks to ask: How about the plight of the 27%?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that's about how many adults live in what is considered to be a single relationship status, says site Unmarried.org.
"The yearly celebration of Valentine’s Day—defended as an innocent and harmless tribute to love—often serves to remind us that either our romantic situation is not good enough or our single status is a tragedy," says Occupy Valentine's Day site creator Samhita Mukhopadhyay, Executive Editor of site Feministing and author of "Outdated: Why Dating is Ruining Your Love Life." Mukhopadhyay seeks to end "Couple-talism", to help others realize there is another way to express your own personal love for oneself, and for others.
If you're tired of the miles of pink and red ribbon and lace, piles of heart-shapes boxes, balloons, jewelry, and well, heart-shaped everything else, this site is for you. Don't quite fit into a carefully marketed heterosexual love-fest? Upload your photos and story.
If you're single, don't even think about going out for dinner on February 14th. Occupy Valentine's would rather couples stay home too, and take a stand, enjoying instead "a sexy conversation by candlelight with your partner about structural inequity." Use your blog to remind others about domestic violence, or hang out with your friends, single or not. "Make a commitment to have fulfilling, accountable and loving relationships in all parts of your life," says Mukhopadhyay.
This isn't about hating the holiday. The site says "Occupy Valentine’s Day is about changing the culture of romance."
Tired of having candy, card and jewelry companies telling you how to express your love? Gather together as one at Occupy Valentine's Day and share your unique story of genuine romance. It's guaranteed that nobody will be hauling you off to jail...
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