Occupy THIS

Some criticize the Occupy Wall Street et al movements for not articulating demands or a platform. The movement appears content to focus outrage and gain media attention. This is necessary. The public and the powerful need to understand the problems of the 99% vs. the hegemony of the 1%. It is understandable that the leaders of this leaderless resistance are hesitant to expound on specific issues. On the local level, media reports show that the protest has degenerated into playtime for the usual suspects. There are the professional protesters trying to recapture some of their youth of the 1960s, the anarchists looking for something to break, and those who want to rant about all the evil that white males have brought upon humanity. While it may be true that white males hold most positions of power, the converse is not. Most white males do not hold important positions and many are suffering. However, this rhetoric is divisive and since the civil rights era has driven many disaffected white males to the right, lately to the Tea Party. If the Occupy movement attempts to set an agenda along with the white male ranters there will be advocates for the rights of left handed lesbians as well as exploited space aliens. No wonder Occupy wants to avoid issues.