Remember, Remember...

Remember, remember, the 5th of November

The Gunpowder Treason and plot;

I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

On the 5^th of November, 1605, the Catholic revolutionist Guy Fawkes was caught beneath London’s House of Lords with a cache of gunpowder and an intent to overthrow the Protestant monarchy. Tasked with guarding the explosives by Robert Catesby, the Gunpowder Plot’s leader, Fawkes was captured when authorities were tipped off by an anonymous letter, and later imprisoned, tortured, and eventually executed without ever revealing the conspirators true intentions for attempting to overthrow their government—or so history claims.

Guy Fawkes and conspirators.

  

After Fawkes’s capture in 1605 Londoners were encouraged to light bonfires to celebrate the King’s escape from assassination. Later, an act of parliament designated the 5^th of November as a day of celebration and citizens began burning effigies of Fawkes assembled from a mask, old clothes, and newspaper scraps that children would gather throughout the day. Eventually “Bonfire Night” gave way to “Guy Fawkes Night” and Fawkes, while only 1 of the original 13 conspirators, became synonymous with the failed gunpowder plot.

Yet times change. With the release of the movie “V for Vendetta” in 2006 and the current affairs of the governments in power, Guy Fawkes has become synonymous with revolution, rebellion, and civilian empowerment while the 5^th of November has become a date of honored remembrance and political activism. This year in the U.S. the 5^th of November played host to a series of movements and protests including the continued “Occupy” Wall Street movement and “Bank Transfer Day” where citizens transferred their funds from major national banks to locally owned credit unions.

The idea behind Bank Transfer Day began when Bank of America announced a 5 dollar fee for debit card clients and Wells Fargo followed suit with a 3 dollar fee announcement. Since then, 650,000 Americans have transferred their funds in the last 4 weeks, compared to 600,000 in all of 2010, and what began as a Facebook page urging the transfer has become instrumental in both major banks retracting their fees. Kristen Christian, an art gallery owner in L.A. and the original creator of the Bank Transfer Day Facebook page believes that, "together we can ensure that these banking institutions will always remember the 5th of November!! If the 99% removes our funds from the major banking institutions to non-profit credit unions on or by this date, we will send a clear message to the 1% that conscious consumers won't support companies with unethical business practices." For those interested in the differences between credit unions and banks, click here.

A Poster for Bank Transfer Day: U.S. 100$ Bill with Guy Fawkes Mask.

Creator: Fayerman

Though the positive effects of Bank Transfer Day, big or small, or the truth behind the Gunpowder Plot will likely never be discovered or reported on in lieu of Kim Kardashian’s recent divorce or the media’s latest fabrication, there is still relevance in both stories aside from their histories past and present. You see, in all of the examples given, all the stories told, and all of the drama unfolding, there exists one common theme—the power of the individual. Guy Fawkes was one man. Kristen Christian is one woman. You alone are yourself—but you can make a difference.

What can 1 individual do in a world of billions? You may be slow, stupid, ugly, unpopular, or seemingly powerless but you have 1 thing going for you that trumps all of that: The ability to inspire. Guy Fawkes was originally inspired by Robert Catesby and went on to inspire thousands though he ultimately failed to accomplish his goal. Kristen Christian inspired at least 59,577 people (the subscribers to her Facebook page) though her actions may only have been a ripple in an ocean of financial corruption. You have the ability to inspire people around you on a daily basis whether you know it or not, even if you fail to accomplish your dreams or ambitions, your legacy will live on through the memories you make and the actions you take.

In closing, I quote Mahatma Gandhi in a way that sums up everything I’ve written today. Gandhi once stated both simply and eloquently in regards to making a difference, “you must be the change you want to see in the world.” If you don’t like something—change it. If you’re unhappy with your circumstances—change them. If your circumstances are out of your control  — change your attitude. If you don’t like the way things are going—speak up! Sitting around complacently or quietly will fix nothing. Don’t wait for things to change—be the change!