The Occupy movement is a huge movement sweeping our nation right now. I thought I'd take a moment to briefly discuss it here on the blog. The idea behind is it that 1% of the people in this country have all the wealth and power, despite our country being run as a democracy. The Occupiers want to redistribute that wealth and power. They want the 99% voices to be heard. They want people to notice that many are sick, hungry, and homeless, and are disenfranchised, with no one speaking up on their behalf.
It is no secret that the unemployment rate is rising. It is no secret that the middle class is shrinking--there are more people on either end of the spectrum. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.
What does that mean for those of us in the DC area? I think the Occupy movement carries another message, as well, here, and that is of being disenfranchised. There is a larger population here than certain states, and yet anyone who is a DC resident has virtually no political voice, no say in votes.
In a recent meeting that I attended for organizations that provide services to homeless people and advocate for housing and rights for the voiceless in our society, a speaker described Washington, DC, as a "mecca" for those who are homeless because we have services here and systems in place to provide for people in need. Unfortunately, the more people come, the less resources we have for them all. Additionally, what we may have in terms of resources, we lack in terms of a voice for these people.
The Occupy message is a simple one. We have given so much power to the wealthiest 1%. These people ultimately get to make the decisions, and they make the decisions with their interests in mind--while others go hungry or live on the streets. Even those that are working struggle to feed their families on minimum wage--it is not a living wage. Redistribute the wealth, redistribute the power. Let all voices be heard. The Occupiers are not violent. It's a peaceful movement. It's working, too--it's captured media attention and interest across the country and the world.
On a lighter note, here's a picture of Stephen Colbert trying to blend in with the Occupy Wall Street movement. He looks good!
Happy weekend, everyone.
--Megan
It is no secret that the unemployment rate is rising. It is no secret that the middle class is shrinking--there are more people on either end of the spectrum. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.
What does that mean for those of us in the DC area? I think the Occupy movement carries another message, as well, here, and that is of being disenfranchised. There is a larger population here than certain states, and yet anyone who is a DC resident has virtually no political voice, no say in votes.
In a recent meeting that I attended for organizations that provide services to homeless people and advocate for housing and rights for the voiceless in our society, a speaker described Washington, DC, as a "mecca" for those who are homeless because we have services here and systems in place to provide for people in need. Unfortunately, the more people come, the less resources we have for them all. Additionally, what we may have in terms of resources, we lack in terms of a voice for these people.
The Occupy message is a simple one. We have given so much power to the wealthiest 1%. These people ultimately get to make the decisions, and they make the decisions with their interests in mind--while others go hungry or live on the streets. Even those that are working struggle to feed their families on minimum wage--it is not a living wage. Redistribute the wealth, redistribute the power. Let all voices be heard. The Occupiers are not violent. It's a peaceful movement. It's working, too--it's captured media attention and interest across the country and the world.
Happy weekend, everyone.
--Megan
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