Occupy Your Education by Jason Del Gandio

"What role does higher education play in the formation of the Occupy Movement and/or social movements in general?"

"At first glance there appears to be no inherent connection between a college education and social justice. Universities are organized around different areas of study, many of which have nothing to do with social movements. While some schools do cater to issues of justice, democracy, and political transformation, this is neither common nor obligatory. College is about education rather than radical social change."

"You are free to reappropriate -- that is, occupy -- your education in order to learn about, participate in, and organize movements for social justice. Just as the Occupy Movement is reclaiming and transforming the democratic nature of this country, so too can you reclaim and transform the nature of your education ... The purpose is to develop a body of knowledge that resists and overturns rather than accepts and perpetuates modern-day oppressions and inequalities. This may not be the formal mission statement of the average college, but there is nothing holding you back from constructing a program of study that helps you change the world."

"The social life of college is also an opportunity for developing your capacity for social change. The overall experience is nothing less than a laboratory for personal growth, social development, and political practice."

"Neoliberalism subordinates government control to the interests of private profit. The government -- rather than regulating the market -- becomes an extension of market activity with the sole purpose of increasing capitalist competition. Neoliberalism provides tax breaks for the rich, reduces spending on social programs and welfare, expands corporate control, and eradicates labor rights, environmental protections, drug and food regulations, and even national law. The basic purpose is to allow private interests to own and control every aspect of the human, social, and natural world. Things like food, water, farmland, forests, healthcare, prisons, militaries, political processes, mass media, and, in this case, education are targets of neoliberal control."

" Education should not be a privilege or even a right. It should be a way of life, and that life should be a political force for the common good. Occupy your education."