The 99%

Throughout time, the world has seen many people and many groups of people walk its lands.  Most of these people generally, although sometimes begrudgingly, accept the policies of government and follow the rules of society.  However, there always seems to be one group at any given point which has challenged the system.  There was Christ, that is when he was preaching, and his followers, as well as the gypsies of Medieval Europe.  Skipping ahead, with the formation of America, the Transcendentalists made their mark early on in the history of America.  Since then, America has hardly been without a group who has challenged “the system.”  Abolitionists, the Knights of Labor, Beatniks, Hippies; all of these groups were speaking, expressing and, in some cases, fighting for freedom.  What’s more is that they have all managed to affect, however significant, change.

Where is this group today?  It has been a half of a century since the Hippies marched for a cause.  These people now look to a different generation.  Indeed, some of their kids look toward a new generation of leaders, of speakers; of people willing to fight for what is right.  These people must make it their mission to make a stand for Americans, as it is Americans who have been taken advantage of.

But what are these people making a stand for?  It is a thoughtful question.  As a group, there must be a set of ideals that we are fighting for.  Unlike in times before, the frustration most prevalent today is not focused on equal rights of a single, disadvantaged group.  Rather, it is directed more toward receiving care and having our voices heard for the purpose of equality for the extensive, disadvantaged majority.

Although it sometimes seems that there is not enough apparent frustration in America at present to start a group, something truly remarkable has come to pass in the last couple of weeks.  It seemed to be in direct response to the thoughts described above.  People have begun to protest.  First, it started on Wall Street in New York City.  Some college students began an occupation of Wall Street to declare their unhappiness with major corporations and the government.  The idea has now grown to become an international response to injustice.  Occupations have now begun in forty-five of the fifty United States.  These protesters call themselves the 99%, a name in response to the wealthiest 1% of America.  As of 2001, the wealthiest 1% of Americans held 38% of the nation’s wealth.

On Saturday, October 08, 2011, I attended a meeting of the “Occupy Nashville” group.  As a group, “Occupy Nashville” has now set up a permanent spot to “occupy.”  Protests are happening and it seems that the spirit of these committed individuals will continue to fight (like those around the country and globe) until reasonable change is made.  It is unacceptable to stand and watch as these corporations and the government take advantage of Americans who cannot afford to live in luxury, like that top 1%.

Currently, there are a lot of people out in the world who are feeling the khakified syndrome.  It is something they would normally dismiss as unfortunate but normal.  This time, a group has embraced this feeling, and has now inspired people to think, as John Steinbeck wrote, “If I’ve missed this, what else have I failed to see?”  This is a movement full of, not people looking for an easy way out, not people who just want to be angry, but people who have a reason to be angry because of the injustice they have had to endure for so long.

Take that, Herman Cain!