When Occupy Wall Street protestors were evicted from Zuccotti Park overnight Nov. 15, the social movement was forced to shift its focus from a physical presence to a thematic mindset and alternative form of occupation.

This is where the ‘you can’t evict an idea’ slogan originally came about, and it’s now playing a role in shaping a new uprising against Hallmark’s favorite holiday: Valentine’s Day.

Occupy Valentine’s Day originated on Tumblr courtesy of Samhita Mukhopadhyay, executive editor of Feministing.com and author of ‘Outdated: Why Dating is Ruining Your Love Life.’ The Tumlbr blog serves as a space for individuals to express their disdain with all the clichés and problematic ways in which Valentine’s Day is celebrated in our culture.

The Tumblr consists of images similar to the original 99 percent movement — men and women are holding signs that articulate their own stories about why they’re occupying. Some signs include statements like, ‘Who needs Valentine’s Day when boxed wine and insta-Netflix are already made available 365 days a year?’

I’ve never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day, regardless of my relationship status — not because I don’t like candy and not because I don’t believe in love. My real problem is the commoditization of love that benefits from capitalist gains and the perpetuation of traditional and limiting gender norms.

After spending countless years in search of alternative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I owe Mukhopadhyay a debt of gratitude for spearheading an Occupy Valentine’s Day movement. It’s the ideal solution for critical thinkers and social change advocates, and it is an especially viable option for college students who may not have the time, cash or belief systems to support a contrived version of romance.

I am occupying Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 because I refuse to participate in a holiday that fails to include a wide variety of individuals who are all capable of love but don’t fit the traditional heterosexual expectation and norm reinforced by greeting card companies.

I’m occupying because I value the authenticity of love and the role it plays in my life. Love is deeply rooted in all things and every single emotion — love is even necessary in order to successfully hate.

It’s responsible for inspiring passion in politics and social change and is also integral to our personal experiences and livelihoods. Love is too meaningful an emotion and tool to make a mockery out of it.

I am occupying because I want to demand more out of Hollywood than a quintessential Nicholas Sparks movie released for the sole purpose of profiting couples who don’t put in enough effort to be original.

Valentine’s Day is expensive, and it’d be nice not to worry about spending money on overpriced greeting cards, stuffed animals and candy. Even the Vagina Monologues has an admission fee.

I’m occupying because I don’t need a holiday that comes around once a year to tell the people in my life that I love them. I can send them handwritten notes and sentiments of affection any day that I damn well feel like it.

I’m occupying because it’s a pretty kickass declaration in support of feminist ideals that aligns themselves with anti-corporate greed messages found in the 99 percent movement.

While the rest of Americans will be spending money on tired, exacerbated clichés next week and contributing to one of America’s most commercialized and hyped holidays, I’ll be doing one better by embracing Occupy Valentine’s Day in my own unique way.

I invite you to join me.

Krystie Yandoli is a senior women and gender studies and English and textual studies major. Her column appears every Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @KrystieLYandoli.  

Published on February 7, 2012 at 12:00 pm