While thousands of attendees, representing millions of people were coming together, finding points of unity, envisioning another U.S. and planning for its coming, there was a virtual media blackout on the scope and significance of the first ever social forum.

USSF was a beautiful meeting of minds, hearts and spirits. When working in the "Social Justice Movement" within the United States it is sometimes difficult to conceive of what that movement actually is, who is part of it, what is our history, what we are doing, and where are we moving the movement towards. 

The U.S. Social Forum was a meeting point for me as well as countless others, organizations, communities and movement sectors: 

* to raise our own and each other's consciousness of the histories, forces and issues we share

* to begin a shared vision of what is possible for the world and the role of the United States Social Justice Movement in achieving that vision

* And, finally, to begin the long but beautiful struggle for that vision by laying out practical and strategic plans, and committing ourselves to them.

One of the biggest concerns people have about gatherings like this one is that participants come together, bond, get inspired, get fired up, share stories, share ideas, make plans, but months go by, and nothing happens. I truly do not feel this is what's going to happen here, because, well, frankly it cannot and must not happen. And, we are not going to let that happen.

At Sunday's Peoples Movements Assembly, there were opportunities for folks to present summaries of resolutions covering issues as wide and diverse as the people in attendance. The process alloted 2 minutes per presenter. Conflict arose when due to time constraints, facilitators took the microphone away from members of the Indigenous contingent. Later on, they were given space to express the hurt from having one's voice dismissed. A healing space was presented, and I think everyone understood that there was no ill intention.

The fact is that there are time constraints, and there is a process involved. We are not each other's enemies. We cannot be fighting for crumbs from each other. And as the facilitator reaffirmed, we came here to build, not to be broken. 

Another World is Possible. Another U.S. is Necessary. 

Arundhati Roy affirmed at the World Social Forum in Porte Alegre, Brazil that, "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing." I could hear it in the resolve of people's voices at the end of every workshop as next steps were discussed. It was in in every "Si Se Puede!" chanted, every raised hand, listening ear...in struggling through differences, and in building, building, building... constantly building.