Forum Post: Who speaks for the truly poor?
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 27, 2011, 10:35 a.m. EST by ItWasAPleasureToBurn
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First off, I respect this movement and what its attempting to do. But as far as saying "We are the 99%"? This is where you might be a little off. Trying to speak for the whole 99%, to round up our tired, our poor, our huddled masses with those who live in houses, have cars, have creature comforts yet are "struggling to get by" because of interest rates on possessions they couldn't rightly afford in the first place is foolish. I ask how many of those within this 99% had to explain to their families that there wont be a meal or gifts for Christmas because every last cent has to go to bills and rent just to make it to the next month and repeat? How many within this movement are in college on their mommy and daddy's bill or on some scholarships or grants? How many of you even know what its like to not know when your next meal is coming?
I don't believe in statistics so I wont draw up some number representing how many Americans deal with true poverty. But WE are the backbone of this nation. WE do the jobs you don't want to do. WE are the workers you make fun of for having some fast food job as your order more food then you need then speed away in your gas guzzler texting away on your brand new smart phones. WE are the mothers and fathers just trying to give our children a good life while struggling to find a job or working for peanuts, missing those precious moment of our children's lives because the only way we can provide is to work the hours YOU don't want to. And for too long, WE have been ignored. But one day, WE will be heard. Men and women, regardless of race, creed, color, or political/religious view, will join together and march upon your suburbs and shopping malls. WE will march through the streets in greater masses then this hipster college student Occupy movement. And when the dust settles, you will be forced to see us, the people you ignored, taunted, jeered and looked down upon your entire life.
In closing, don't pretend to speak for the poor. Just because you serve a few turkeys to us or donate a can of soup does NOT mean you know what its like.
Who indeed. Solidarity is the aim, but not the goal. The goal of equality will not be acheived, but marching toward it is heading in the right direction. Justice for all will include voices being heard in spite of not having internet means. The idea that the poorest can only be helped as long as they take action in solidarity is not entirely true. I hope if the OWS message does not change our culture, that it will not be because the ones who have the least clout have the least voice. I appreciate itwasapleasuretoburn's candor. I think many agree. Time will tell.
Although the term "99%" is vague i feel it is just. Whether is middle or lower class citizens that are participating in the movement is irrelevant. The protests are to end corporate corruption of our governments and our lives.
You are demonstrating the exact opposite of what the 99% needs to be doing. Instead of dividing we need to stand up together. If we stay strong long enough to make a difference, maybe the "lower class" will cease to exist and no one will have to live paycheck-to-paycheck anymore.
You need to not focus on the college students or those who are more well-off than you. If it weren't for the greedy corporate pigs there would be no separate 'classes' in the 99%. Corporations do not pay taxes but will spend $18,000 of our hard earned tax dollars(and consumer profits) to fuel up their private jets to go to their vacation mansions in Santa Fe.
And just so it's understood I am a 18 living on her own (no way to pay for college) in a very Low class area in Indiana. This is where I've lived my entire life. I know to help those around me and myself I have to fight against the evil people that are choosing to leave us out to dry. Not envy and hate those who have more than me.
Stop worrying about the things other citizens have. Worry about the things corporations are stealing from you.
If you want change, take some action.
Well said. I know that most families have at least one who can relate to the above. Even their family can't see the suffering, should they manage to make it to the feast. The facts are that these poor humans are in better financial shape than many of their "betters", who are one or two payhecks away from poverty, and in deep debt. The OWS will have its ranks increased as those paychecks get reduced and eliminated. It's alarming how little is understood by those that have never been broke without anywhere to turn. These persons need to be first to be considered, not last. That's not just a moral thought, it's the way forward for OWS.
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