Occupy Things

[Ben]

[Joopac_Badur]

I lol'd.

I suppose I'll contribute some thoughts on this whole movement thingie. As a journalist, my primary concern has been how these events/protests have been covered and portrayed in the various news media. What's bothered me is the general stereotyping and framing done by pretty much every news outlet. If it's a conservative news outlet, then these are all a bunch of reckless, socialist, unemployed hippies. For the left-leaning groups, these are the revolutionaries that are going to change the world for the better. For those in the middle ... well, they seemed completely stumped by what do about it.

The problem for me is that by focusing on characterizing the occupiers, nothing is said about what they are actually protesting. Instead of getting data on just how many tax breaks and benefits the "1 percent" get or how economically difficult life can be for those that do not make a large work wage or whether or not government bodies are swayed by large corporate donations, we're simply framing them into familiar roles that the viewers at home can easily process without giving it much thought.

Plus, the name calling is almost always unfactual. Most of the occupiers are full-time employees to business or another. Not many of them are actually socialist. Many of them aren't even trying to demonize the wealthy in general, but are just trying to bring awareness to an issue that is, right or wrong, close to their hearts, which is supposed to be one of the highest ideals of the U.S.

The whole thing just ... infuriates me.

[Ben]

What kind of fascinates me is how closely the whole thing is sticking to that ghandi quote

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

First there was no media coverage and no one even realised it was happening, then when it started getting media coverage people were being dismissive aresholes about the entire thing, now we're seeing the police brutality and pepper spraying kids sitting down and 80 yearold ladies etc.