Economic Inequality
The movement against economic inequality has finally taken hold within America, and it could not have come a moment too soon. For the past three years now, our global economy has been in a sharp downturn, beginning with a 2008 recession at the end of the Bush presidency. President Obama did his best to turn things around, yet the crisis had already spread like a bad virus growing worse into Europe and Asia. Businesses began to cut spending, jobs began to disappear, and the world governments began to shut down.
Government Defaults
This year saw the beginning of many government defaults and bail-outs, such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. Protests have amassed all throughout Europe, against austerity measures and salary cuts. This past July our own government, divided by politics, came days away from a potential and historical default. Congress managed to pass a temporary bill, that raised the debt ceiling yet ultimately pushed the problem aside. It seems the world leaders are divided between two solutions to this economic crisis; Cut Government Spending or Raise Taxes on the Wealthy. This is a problem that will only continue to grow worse, until a radical economic reform is put into place.
The Arab Spring
Yet the first real hope in this crisis came from the public of the Arab Spring, where the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, and many other Middle Eastern countries began to unite and speak out against their corrupt governments. Thousands of people filled their town squares, to speak out against poverty and corruption. Countries such as Tunisia and Egypt were successful in their revolution, while other countries such as Libya, have averted to civil war. Although the Arab Revolution is mostly targeted against authoritarian governments, it also targets economic inequalities. The Arab people have clearly demonstrated a strong message of unity, that has inspired both Europeans and Americans alike, who also share similar frustrations.
Occupy Wall Street
So after our debt-ceiling soap opera, it became quite apparent to the public, that our economy was in a dire condition, and that our government was unwilling to compromise to solve this serious matter. With growing unemployment and poverty rates, it seemed the only solution was for the people to take action and speak up.
It began in a park in New York City, on September 17th, near the Wall Street financial district, where a small group of protestors began to make their accusations heard. Accusations of wealth inequality, corporate greed, and a broken government.
Through the use of internet and social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, their numbers grew and the movement quickly expanded. It received minimal media coverage at first, yet after a pepper-spraying incident on Sept. 24th, it seemed the movement had finally won it's due coverage. On October 1st, 700 protesters were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Occupy Wall Street Movement had suddenly become world news. Last night on October 5th, the movement had it's biggest demonstration yet, joined by the unions, they gathered together near Wall Street with over 20,000 people.It was an inspiring and peaceful demonstration.
The Technology Factor
Similar to the Arab Spring, technology has played a major factor in organizing this movement. Through the use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, cameras, and smartphones, people are able to instantly connect, share pictures, live videos, and live feeds. With such a growing movement, Occupy Wall Street had to create a network of websites, to unite in it's general purpose. This main network has become known as Occupy Together, and has begun to organize movements in many major cities throughout the country.
Occupy Together
Through the development of Occupy Together, this can now become an American Revolution, and not just a New York Revolution. Protests similar to Occupy Wall Street have already begun to gain media attention in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, and San Fransisco. Many other cities will soon join in, on this united message; a people against the power elite.
Already a Victory!
This movement has already succeeded in bringing attention to a very serious matter that is far too often overlooked. Capitalism may work for 1%, but not the other 99%. It is a cause that a majority of Americans should agree on, no matter their political affiliations, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or philosophy. It's a movement that will only grow stronger, and will not go away, until this economic crisis goes away. It is a peaceful movement with a powerful message of unity; "We are the 99%"
The movement against economic inequality has finally taken hold within America, and it could not have come a moment too soon. For the past three years now, our global economy has been in a sharp downturn, beginning with a 2008 recession at the end of the Bush presidency. President Obama did his best to turn things around, yet the crisis had already spread like a bad virus growing worse into Europe and Asia. Businesses began to cut spending, jobs began to disappear, and the world governments began to shut down.Government Defaults
This year saw the beginning of many government defaults and bail-outs, such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. Protests have amassed all throughout Europe, against austerity measures and salary cuts. This past July our own government, divided by politics, came days away from a potential and historical default. Congress managed to pass a temporary bill, that raised the debt ceiling yet ultimately pushed the problem aside. It seems the world leaders are divided between two solutions to this economic crisis; Cut Government Spending or Raise Taxes on the Wealthy. This is a problem that will only continue to grow worse, until a radical economic reform is put into place.
The Arab Spring
Yet the first real hope in this crisis came from the public of the Arab Spring, where the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, and many other Middle Eastern countries began to unite and speak out against their corrupt governments. Thousands of people filled their town squares, to speak out against poverty and corruption. Countries such as Tunisia and Egypt were successful in their revolution, while other countries such as Libya, have averted to civil war. Although the Arab Revolution is mostly targeted against authoritarian governments, it also targets economic inequalities. The Arab people have clearly demonstrated a strong message of unity, that has inspired both Europeans and Americans alike, who also share similar frustrations.
Occupy Wall Street
So after our debt-ceiling soap opera, it became quite apparent to the public, that our economy was in a dire condition, and that our government was unwilling to compromise to solve this serious matter. With growing unemployment and poverty rates, it seemed the only solution was for the people to take action and speak up.
It began in a park in New York City, on September 17th, near the Wall Street financial district, where a small group of protestors began to make their accusations heard. Accusations of wealth inequality, corporate greed, and a broken government.Through the use of internet and social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, their numbers grew and the movement quickly expanded. It received minimal media coverage at first, yet after a pepper-spraying incident on Sept. 24th, it seemed the movement had finally won it's due coverage. On October 1st, 700 protesters were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Occupy Wall Street Movement had suddenly become world news. Last night on October 5th, the movement had it's biggest demonstration yet, joined by the unions, they gathered together near Wall Street with over 20,000 people.It was an inspiring and peaceful demonstration.
The Technology Factor
Similar to the Arab Spring, technology has played a major factor in organizing this movement. Through the use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, cameras, and smartphones, people are able to instantly connect, share pictures, live videos, and live feeds. With such a growing movement, Occupy Wall Street had to create a network of websites, to unite in it's general purpose. This main network has become known as Occupy Together, and has begun to organize movements in many major cities throughout the country.
Occupy Together
Through the development of Occupy Together, this can now become an American Revolution, and not just a New York Revolution. Protests similar to Occupy Wall Street have already begun to gain media attention in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, and San Fransisco. Many other cities will soon join in, on this united message; a people against the power elite.Already a Victory!
This movement has already succeeded in bringing attention to a very serious matter that is far too often overlooked. Capitalism may work for 1%, but not the other 99%. It is a cause that a majority of Americans should agree on, no matter their political affiliations, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or philosophy. It's a movement that will only grow stronger, and will not go away, until this economic crisis goes away. It is a peaceful movement with a powerful message of unity; "We are the 99%"
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