By Richard Finch

Samey Lee, PPU student, who has been participating in the Occupy Movement. Photo by Richard Finch

Until recently, Samey Lee had no real political motivations, even though she is a global cultural studies major at Point Park University. Last October t

hat changed after she shunned her comfortable dorm room to spend another night shivering in her tent at Mellon Green as part of the Occupy Pittsburgh camp.

Despite the dropping temperatures and the threat of hypothermia, Lee, along with 20 to 30 other “occupiers” stayed each night while their peers head home to warmth and comfort. Lee was instantly caught up in being part of the process and discovered a passion to be involved in change. “I met a lot of people, heard their hard luck stories and I began to realize the main problem in society is the lack of caring and respect.” Lee said.

Lee, a full-time sophomore works a part-time job at Mancini’s, in addition to her work-study job at the university. In spite of her hectic schedule she is actively involved in the Occupy movement, attending general assembly meetings and helping to organize events within the camp.

Lee has been living in the camp since October, when a friend from Point Park University brought her along to the campsite, the friend has since lost interest in Occupy, but Samey is still here. Lee is uncertain how long she will continue her involvement with the movement, for the moment she is fascinated with the experience and is learning a lot from the people she meets. Lee added “I’ve met such diverse, interesting people, veteran activists who’ve been arrested dozens of times.”

Dr. Robert Ross, Lee’s global cultural studies professor, said he sees the work she does with the Occupy movement as complimentary to what he wants students to learn from class: “To take action and try and change the world.”

Lee learned a lot about globalization issues in her academic program, but also wants an education in real-world issues and to take advantage of opportunities that are available while she is young. “This movement is a symbol to bring power back to the people. I’m here to learn about life, there are certain things I can’t learn in a classroom.”

At 19, Lee is barely old enough to vote. She plans to gain experience and learn more about the political process so she can make informed decisions. Lee said “I hope change will come. I want to see people care about people, not only as money generating machines for the wealthy.”

Ross said in the global cultural studies program, students learn about how the real world works in relation to political and economic power across the globe, the extent to which a small minority has power over the majority, similar to the message espoused by the Occupy Wall Street movement. Lee said “It is my hope that students use their knowledge and struggle for social justice just like Samey is doing.”

With the weather getting colder, quite a few people went home but a lot of them are still here, Lee says there are probably 20 to 30 occupiers sleeping at the campsite.

Sean Selcer, a co-worker at Mancini’s, initially thought Samey was just another college student looking to coast through a part-time job, said he was surprised at how hard she works, adding she changed his assumptions about her generation, saying “She is proof that young people really know what’s at stake in the world and are brave enough to try and do something about it.”

Ross said his goal is to get more college students interested in social justice issues, hoping they get angry enough to get involved. Ross thinks student are reluctant to get involved in a movement like Occupy Pittsburgh, because what they remember from the G20 protests in 2009, is that college students took the brunt of abuse from authorities.

Ross is impressed that Lee is involved in Occupy, adding she is really informative in class discussions and eager to educate other students about Occupy.

With the fall semester at an end, Lee is planning to go home to Newville, Pa., for the holidays to visit her family. Lee has no definite plans to stay with the movement for the long haul, but she is certain she will take a leave of absence from Point Park at the conclusion of the Spring semester to travel and gain more experience. Lee said, “I’ve learned quite a bit from my experience. Occupy may not change the world, hopefully it will grow, and it will definitely change the conversation.”