There are many arguments made by for squatting (okupa). Some do it for economical reasons; NYC is nearly impossible to afford rent. Many squatters are capable of paying into the capitalist system of rent or ownership but do not do so in solidarity with the first group.
Today I was talking to my friend, who is still in NYC, about his squatting experiences in Barcelona and Amsterdam. He is a college graduate who could get a “regular job” and succumb to the system but refuses and has engrossed himself with understanding the abused and ignored faction of squatters.
I started thinking about the connection between squatting communities around the world made possible by modernization and was wondering if that is not somewhat questionable. If one believes that globalization is a destructive and immoral force how does one justify owning the technology that perpetuates such depravity? I find validity in the argument that using the internet brings more awareness to issues and makes communicating to travel between squats easier. However, I know plenty of squatters who have survived with no modern devises and lived all around Latin America. Actually, most of the squats there refuse to associate with other squats that use technology. The best way for communication is through the ever-moving squatters who carry information, though slowly, all around the globe. Really though, where does one draw the line? Our culture wants us to believe that we cannot completely disentangle ourselves from the modern world. I will keep dreaming and slowing working to become a self-sustaining mountain woman.
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