99% (read and empathize)

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 1:44am

http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/
Updated On: 11/21/11 at 01:44 AM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 2:15am

Damn it.

All of worst my worse fears are true. This country doesnt give a **** about anyone who isn't rich.

This breaks my heart.

Updated On: 11/21/11 at 02:15 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 10:41am

The problem I've had all along with this movement is the audacity that anyone can claim they speak for 99% of the population. But I guess saying that they represent about 10% of the population just doesn't have the reactionary ring that they are looking for.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 11:09am

Updated On: 11/21/11 at 11:09 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 11:47am

Oh. that's THE problem you've had all along, goth? The one thing you don't like changes so much why don't you code name it, "Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq."

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 1:48pm

But I guess saying that they represent about 10% of the population just doesn't have the reactionary ring that they are looking for.

What does that even mean?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 1:56pm

And I would like to know where he came up with that figure.

You know, proof...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 1:57pm

It's just something goth threw out the way he does and usually doesn't reply when called on it. In six weeks he'll pop up with a new "the thing" he doesn't like about OWS.

When people share their stories as members of 99%, they are speaking as one part of a large group. Together, they are the 99%. They aren't speaking about anybody else's experience. Duh.

[Q]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 2:00pm

"the audacity that anyone can claim they speak for 99% of the population"

The 99% figure is based on an economic comparison, which is a simple matter of record. The only catchphrase I've seen associated with the movement is the repeated "I am the 99%", which is a statement of self - with an implied invitation for others to join in with their own statements.

Who is speaking for anyone else here?

edit - Namo, jinx Updated On: 11/21/11 at 02:00 PM

[Craig]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 2:25pm

I am empathetic - but at the same time - some of the younger generation (as seen on that blog) are confusing the issue of the 99% with their own sense of entitlement.

Having student loans just out of school and looking for a job isn't some new concept or cause for an uprising. And some of the people who sent in their stories are blaming the 1% the same way some people blamed El Nino on whatever crazy stuff was happening back then.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 2:45pm

^ That's what I was thinking. I don't have any issue with people protesting, as long as they are protesting for things that make sense.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 2:56pm

You know that when Jon Stewart recognizes the problems with OWS, then it's time to give up and go home.

Love the guy at 4:20. "This is personal property."
Link

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/21/11 at 9:54pm

4:20?!?

What exactly do you mean by "4:20"?

Do you mean 4 minutes and 20 seconds?

Or do you mean 4:20?

[Almira]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 12:29am

Student loans have changed in recent years due to the greed of the lending industry (read the 1%).


http://vimeo.com/2618035

Updated On: 11/22/11 at 12:29 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 1:34am

I don't speak up in threads like this very often.

I graduated from college in December 2009 with a degree and a certification in technical writing. I worked my ass off to have a spectacular GPA and came well recommended by everyone but my department head (she wouldn't recommend anyone without a masters, and I couldn't afford to get one).

Between December 2009 and now, I have submitted more applications, resumes, cover letters, and references than I can begin to count. I beat the pavement, I made calls, I followed up on submissions. Out of all of those, I got several unpaid internship offers, but they weren't going to lead to jobs (I was specifically told this). I couldn't afford to go 6-8 months working 65 hours a week without pay.

I work a low-level retail management job...from the only company that actually called me in for an interview (Target). I like my job very much, but due to the nature of it, I can't take on a second job...my schedule there changes almost daily (and I don't mean the two weeks in advance kind of daily, I mean literally every day it can and has changed).

Last year, my AGI was $16K. This year it will be $18K. I work 40 hours a week. I don't live extravagantly. I have $50K in student loan debt, which averaged around $500/mo for it. However, when I had to purchase a new car (more on that below), I had to put myself on the new Income-Based-Repayment plan. Yes, it took away 3 of my loan payments b/c I don't make enough...but it didn't put any money back in my pocket...it goes straight into my car payment.

When I graduated college, I had $1200 in savings. By April of 2010, I had $35. All of it in car repairs. I have since purchased a new vehicle.

I have a cell phone, student loans, a car payment, car insurance and one credit card. By the time you take out all of that, I have around $250 a month for gas, food, and anything else I want to do. Last month, I got three different infections back to back (a throat, a sinus and then an ingrown hair gone bad)...even with insurance that took $150. Can you live on $100/mo?

I live at home, with parents who don't accept my sexuality, and I hide it from them, because if they kick me out, I would be on the street. I don't qualify for foodstamps, or any housing help because the state of Texas deems anything over $15K as "above the poverty line."

Every month, I put $200 into savings. Every month, something has forced me to withdraw from savings.

I did what I was told I had to do, go to college, work hard, and you'll get a good job. I feel that I do deserve to be making twice what I do now. If that makes me entitled, then great, I'm entitled.

I bring all of this up to say that if you think that a lot of the Occupy movement (of which I'm not really a part of, simply b/c I think it's not well organized enough) is a generation of twenty-somethings who feel that they should have jobs and money handed to them, you're wrong. Most of them are like me.

I'm 25 years old and I am the 99%.

[winston89]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 7:47pm

Craig, Let me start out by saying, I do agree with you. I get the fact that it is hard to get a job out of college. I remember talking to a good friend of mine a couple of years ago. She was talking to me about how she doesn't understand why she can't get hired anywhere in the state. I told her the following, in addition to this being a tough economy ( this was at a time where the economy hadn't fallen totally down the tubes but was on the verge of doing so) schools are cutting art programs left and right to save money. In addition, a vast majority of teachers out there do have a masters degree. If you're looking for a job and all the other candidates have a masters degree and you only have a B.A. you will get overlooked in favor of someone with a masters degree. Sad but true.

Here is my story. I am 22 years old, as of right now I work as a T.A. in a private pre school for children with special needs and who come from troubled backgrounds. Now, before you say anything about salary and how that it can't be a good one. Let me tell you, the salary for this kind of job if it were in a public school is not as bad as you think at all But, considering that this is a private school I get a tad bit more then what I would get in a year of I was working with the NYC DOE. I love what I do, I am good at it, what bills I have I am having zero issue with paying etc. And, to top it all off, I have zero college degree to my name. I feel that if I went down to the park and told people that I wanted to help out, I wouldn't be viewed by them as the 99 per cent, simply because I am younger than some of them and making a pretty good living.

I do also think that a lot of them are stubborn as anything. I get the fact that it is hard to pay for undergrad let alone graduate school. But, at the same time, more an more jobs are looking to see people with masters degrees. Like I said, I understand if you can't afford one. But, then in that case, try to spend your energy figuring out a solution rather then throwing your hands in the air saying " I can't afford that which I need to get a job, this must be someone else's issue, not mine."

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 9:02pm

I feel that if I went down to the park and told people that I wanted to help out, I wouldn't be viewed by them as the 99 per cent, simply because I am younger than some of them and making a pretty good living.

That has to do with you, not them.

I get the fact that it is hard to pay for undergrad let alone graduate school. But, at the same time, more an more jobs are looking to see people with masters degrees. Like I said, I understand if you can't afford one. But, then in that case, try to spend your energy figuring out a solution rather then throwing your hands in the air saying " I can't afford that which I need to get a job, this must be someone else's issue, not mine."

In addition to negating yourself, you're making an awful lot of assumptions about the lives of others. MY issue is that advanced education should not be like health care. That the best treatment or the best education should NOT be a luxury based on wealth. My father had esophageal cancer. My parents lived comfortably and my father had coverage from three health care institutions. It STILL cost them $100k out of pocket for him to DIE. And I don't care what anyone says, starting an uphill battle of early employment $40-50k in debt for education is an embarrassment for this country. Add to that the disgusting business tactics of the banks and lending institutions and I applaud those who are actively taking a stand. These people are fed up with what the Government has encouraged until it has gotten out of control. They are assembling so they can be heard. What do you think a protest is, anyway?

If you're looking for a job and all the other candidates have a masters degree and you only have a B.A. you will get overlooked in favor of someone with a masters degree. Sad but true.

Actually, for non-teaching positions, a Masters degree only counts if you're willing to take less money than the last person employed in the same position. A lot of businesses are cutting back on the education and experience of new hires in order to cut costs. Large companies are hiring mid-level positions internally and playing musical chairs with employees in order to decrease turnover and lower the expense of new hires down to entry-level positions only. It's one thing to makes assumptions about the employment experience of others. It's something else entirely to go through the experience yourself. Month after month after month after month...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:34pm

I love your post, MisterMatt. Winston, I have no idea why you think you wouldn't be viewed as part of the 99%. Unless you're from one of the top 400 richest families in the country. And I don't know where you get the idea that you are significantly younger than other posters, given the number of colleges getting their own Occupies.

I am older than most of the people who are actually camping, but certainly not participating. Matt's right, it's just your assumptions that have not been tested by any reality. On the other hand, you've made it clear you don't like the movement, so the discussion is probably just a distraction.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:50pm

winston-
I never once said that it was someone else problem in regards to being unable to afford a masters, merely that it was a stumbling block for me.

I know that overall this is my own problem, and I am trying to solve it. I keep plucking away.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 12:54am

I started this thread because it reminded me of my own protesting/demonstration days back in the late 60s/early70s. With any progressive movement, there's always going to be extreme people/professional agitators, etc., but that doesn't mean the entire "occupation" is a bust. Just the opposite. It's a call to attention of various issues. Just like ART, it's supposed to incite discussion - not violence. And people should never forget Kent State (1970) and Mayor Daley's Chicago during the 1968 Democratic convention. An overly aggressive police state is a bad, bad thing in my estimation. The crowds must behave, too. Peace! (as we used to say.....)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/23/11 at 1:41am

This synchronized four camera four panel 10 minutes of the UC Davis protest and spraying is like the Woodstock movie without music but with brutality. Notice how casually Lt Pike steps out of the circle of sitting students (the one where the chief said the police were surrounded and feared for their safety) and sprays and sprays some more.

I would think this sort of thing would be quite worrying to most people. As one commenter said, "Sit in a circle, get pepper sprayed. Bring the country to bankruptcy, get tax breaks." I think the students should be proud that they pressured the police to just leave, and doubly proud of the chancellor's walk of shame in total silence.

I realize that some of the people come across as entitled in the slides, but their among thousands of stories. As for the video, well, it's hard to say that those students only care about themselves when you see them band together like that.
The spray seen round the world