Occupy fever

With the current status of the economy, it is natural to try and find someone to place the blame on.  An excellent, and sometimes deserving scapegoat lies in the U.S. government, with particular emphasis on one subset of power in any Capitalist society: Big business.  This ever-increasing source of anger and frustration for those middle class, hard working Americans is blatantly apparent in the midst of the current on-going Wall Street protests. 

Occupy Wall Street has shocked the conscience of people from all socioeconomic facets, showing the strength of the human spirit.  The ‘everyman’ is lining up in droves and submitting to long-term uncomfortable conditions.  Backed with no other compensation than the hopes of spreading awareness, this type of large-scale grassroots movement is somewhat unknown within today’s culture.  The momentum and sweeping attention gained over a little less than two weeks is daunting, but will any real results come from all of the hype?

While the past weekend was the biggest turn out in New York and other countries have seen their own burgeoning calls for action, violence and other tensions are also growing.  There is no strong current consensus on what protesters are demanding from the government, as much as an overarching cry for justice and equality among citizens.  One more specific battle cry is coming from the mouths of those upcoming and recent college graduates. 

I myself feel most passionate about the issue of growing college debt, especially as the growth sees no end in sight—nor does the flailing job market.  Further, as scholarships become more sparse, the possibility of attending anywhere apart from one’s state college is becoming less and less of a reality.  America used to be the land where anything could happen; if you could dream it, you could do it, right?  Well, not anymore ladies and gentleman. 

This sentiment seems to resonate with people from all walks of life, and as the cause grows, the most important step is to continue to formulate and strengthen concrete governmental demands.  Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, consistently one of the most impoverished cities in the nation, it is no surprise that an Occupy effort has begun here; however I am also extremely proud that a city so divided can come together in such a harmonious way for something bigger than personal differences.

Having grown up in the midst of so much racial and economic tension, it is refreshing and uplifting to see a movement which is not fueled by hatred, but hope for something better.  College tuition is increasing at twice the rate of inflation and graduates still can’t get jobs to sustain a livlihood, but the CEO of Walmart still makes more in an hour than a family of two living at the poverty line make in a year.  Hard work deserves a pay off, but CEOs are not kings.  We do not live in a monarchy. 

With the recent Schnucks grocery store chain buyout, unemployment rates soar ever higher.  Those who were able to be transferred to Kroger stores have felt the merger as well—one long time Schnucks employee survived the cut only to be demoted $3/ hour and have his weekly hours decreased from 40 to not quite 30.  He has a family of four to support. 

This nation has to quit punishing those who work for a living and those who pay their way through college for a better future, because the powers that be cannot seem to fairly and properly distribute tax dollars.  In a time when accountability is everything, those ‘on top’ have run out of excuses and chances to defer to international affairs and television appearances.  When so many people in the richest and most powerful nation in the world are allowed to suffer by no fault of their own, it seems obvious what priority number one needs to be.