Commentary: On #OccupyWallStreet as Mob

By Karen Faass
Creativity + Social Change
University of Connecticut
11 October 2011

Commentary on "Don’t Confuse “Occupy Wall Street” as a Protest, It’s a Mob," Mail Online, October 12, 2011

I chose this article to bring another perspective into the mix of “Occupy Wall Street.” I do agree that people have the right to speak up about what is happening in our economy and the impact it is having on all Americans, especially college-age students.  There is no denying, after reading many articles this week, people are struggling and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

However, now that “Occupy Wall Street” has made a stance and has been noticed around the country in many major cities, they now must be careful this “occupation” does not turn into a “mob scene” where the true meaning of the occupation is lost.   Making this “personal” by marching up the individuals’ homes, I don’t believe, was a wise choice.  “Occupy Wall Street” is definitely “personal”, as it affects the well-being of so many individuals.  The movements’ statement that the economical affairs of our country are in need of repair and needs to be addressed is the focus.  Crossing the line of a peaceful statement and showing up on the property of individuals’ homes outside the boundary of the demonstration could have a negative outcome and the cause could lose its momentum.

This might be the time to organize thoughts and ideas as to where this occupation is heading…to now have a goal of how to proceed.  It seems part of the crowd is turning into a “Woodstock”…camping out…walking around dirty…areas of the park becoming filthy…I feel this will greatly impact any serious discussion of why they came to Wall Street in the first place.

The article brings up a point that “Occupy Wall Street” aligns themselves with the Tea Party.  This group is a movement for the people.  While the groups do share concerns that are similar, the Tea Party movement is organized and does work within the democratic system.  One difference between these groups indicated in the article was that “Occupy Wall Street” does not want to work within the political system and there is no or little organization within the group.  The Tea Party has had organized rallies where the area in which they gathered was left cleaner when they left. 
Unions have backed the occupation and some say this is no different than the union strikes of the seventies.  President Obama has said nothing regarding this event, not even asking the people to leave.

No one knows where this will end.  Now that they have the attention of many, can they now begin to focus on where to go from here and begin a new chapter in working for a better America?