Raising Voices Against Bigotries - Essay Example

? Occupy Wall Street Introduction History reveals that sooner or later, people stood up against prejudice. With the increasing awareness and past experiences, courage is being displayed by people to raise their voice against bigotries. The prevailing injustice and discrimination in every sector of human endeavor is promoting corruption and frustration among the mass. People, across the globe are now becoming aware about their rights and elevate their voice to combat unfairness. One of the greatest illustrations of such a protest of the present epoch is Occupy Wall Street. Occupy Wall Street is a depiction of opposition, an act of protest against the widespread social as well as economic discrimination, greediness, fraud, dishonesty and the unjustified pressure of corporations on government predominantly from the economic services segment. The movement instigated on September 17, 2011, in Zuccotti Park of New York City's Wall Street financial district. The chief architect of the protest was Canadian activist group Adbusters, and has escorted to connect protests and actions across the planet (Intellectual Roots of Wall St. Protest Lie in Academe: Movement's principles arise from scholarship on anarchy). Occupy Wall Street emphasizes direct action and they have their slogan "We are the 99%". Indicating that the authorities are supporting 1% of the population, proportion attributed to the privileged and prosperous population. Highlighting the fact that income is unequally distributed between the affluent class which is 1% and the enduring 99% of the population (Intellectual Roots of Wall St. Protest Lie in Academe: Movement's principles arise from scholarship on anarchy). History Tracing the history of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS), it could be established that the roots lie in the 2010, British student protests together with the anti-austerity protest of Greece and Spain as well as Arab Spring protest (Reuters). In June 2011, an electronic conversation took place between Lasen and White. Lasen was the founder of Canadian-based Adbusters Media Foundation while, White was the senior editor of Adbuster (Pre-occupied). Later a website called OccupyWallStreet.org was registered by Lasen in June 2011. The subscribers of Adbusters were sent an electronic message with the note "America needs it own Tahrir". The message busted like a wild fire and people showed spontaneity. Adbusters suggested September, 17 as the date for the initiation of the protest as it corresponds with the America's Constitution Day (Fleming, 2011). The idea spread like a conflagration and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Blogs played the pivotal role in generating the awareness and inciting individuals to understand their rights as "leaderless resistance movement" (Fleming, 2011). The movement was joined and pulled by various independent activists who possess their systematized websites, to convey messages for meetings. The protest gathered a huge crowd and therefore was intervened by the police which provided Occupy Wall Street new wings to spread the message. Video clips and footage played a crucial role in generating public awareness. A NYPD officers video highlighting the arrest of protesters spread like a pandemic on Internet especially the one displaying officers shooting pepper spray on the faces of people especially women. The movement emerged as a people's democracy movement. Every effort to clear out the non-violent protest has further popularized the movement and people are participating to a greater extent with more zeal and enthusiasm. With every huge gatherings things tend to change and further strengthen the movement, highlighting the fact that the 99% of the population is really suffering a lot due to the prevailing corruption and greed for money in every sector of human existence (Fleming, 2011). People are now aware of the fact that Occupy Wall Street is people's voice and one must promote it, strengthen it and have to contribute for the betterment of the their rights and to eliminate disparity and inequality of wealth. The power of mob is highlighted with this movement and if people emphasize the fact that thoughts could bring revolution in every sphere if life and when it comes to preventing corruption, people are like minded. The fire and enthusiasm is mounting and gradually the movement is spreading is domain to other cities such as Chicago, Boston, Denver and Toronto, where small leaders and protesters are budding up (Fleming, 2011). OWS has direct implications on the academics of the students. A hardworking group may feel dejected, as they are not privileged, moreover, disregarded and degraded or humiliated by the affluent class. Various cases occur where the affluent class is thrashing them for no reason. A voice is therefore desired, a voice against corruption and injustice in a turbulent manner where participation of every sector including independent citizens, electricians, mechanics, clerks and every member of society must participate to build a strong social network. Without the help of these 99% population, survival of 1% population is difficult then why the disparity in the financial matters occur is a big question to be answered by the authorities. The prevailing corruption is the consequence of disparity, in order to be equivalent and to prove their worth, individuals are adopting unfair means to be at par with the affluent 1% population, thereby generating dishonesty, unfair deeds and practice, overall laying the foundation of economic discrepancy. The demands of the protesters were not clear but it is a protest that has the motive to eradicate corruption and disparity existing in the system which is responsible for the 99% to 1% equation. The movement is internet-directed movement which is not motivated by any leader, but it is an understanding of the people that made them meet at a particular point to formulate and show protest against the inequality, thus protestors could be regarded as the Situationists and the goal of the protest is not to listen to the speech being delivered by the leader but a fight for the economic justice in terms of "transaction tax". The General Assembly, the governing body of OWS has implemented "Declaration of the occupation of New York City", encompassing a roll of criticisms in opposition to corporate world (Protesters Debate What Demands, if Any, to Make). This general announcement was sufficient to ignite the spirit of protest. Besides this the provocation was also provided by the statements like "Power concedes nothing without a demand" (Do we know that what OWS wants yet?). The motivation was provided by the slogan "We are the 99%". The revolt was also accelerated due to the recession witnessed in the past couple of years, which has influenced the economy of the United States and individuals are suffering through the tough phase of joblessness. The market displayed a sudden dip, where the sufferers were the 99% population who are dependent on the loan for education, loan for houses, worked hard days and night to fulfill their dream, to make America a piece of land where they can fulfill their cherished dreams, pay taxes to the government, but were unaware so far about the taxes being paid by the rich and affluent class (Holan, 2011). Various economists advocated the truth of the slogan as it defines the issues between the middle class and the elite group and mounting inequality in the status is due to the better performance. Imposing a new tax policy on the elite group, the 1% would further create problems for the 99% because it is this 1% who are the job creators which in turn is going to influence the 99% of the population. This is an alarming situation and is imposing a high risk on the US government. Although much criticism was faced by the OWS and its protestors but it has really drafted a rift between the affluent class and the middle class which may have lasting implications on the economic status of the United States. The movement is not fully articulated and people are inchoate and therefore it is a surprise to the government too. References "Do we know that what OWS wants yet?". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. . Fleming, A. "Adbusters sparks Wall Street protest". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. . "Intellectual Roots of Wall St. Protest Lie in Academe: Movement's principles arise from scholarship on anarchy". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. . "Occupy Wall Street: FAQ". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. "Pre-occupied". (Web). 2 Mar. 2012. ."Reuters". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. . "Protesters Debate What Demands, if Any, to Make". (Web.) 2 Mar. 2012. . Read More