OCCUPY INTERNET

A month ago in New York City’s Time Square, a movement called Occupy Wall Street began. Thousands of people gathered in protest because they were fed up with corrupt politicians, excessive financial institution bailouts and economic crises. These issues have become serious problems worldwide.

This ongoing movement relies on social media to spread its message. The New York Times ignored the protest for days. Yahoo originally blocked emails and email accounts that made mention of Occupy Wall Street, for perceived “suspicious activity.”

Through the use of Twitter, blogging, YouTube, online forums, Facebook and sites such as reddit, Occupy Wall Street went viral. By October 15, the movement expanded with 1,500 protests throughout 82 countries. (‘Occupy Toronto’ flooded the streets leading to St. James Park in the downtown core.)

Social media has been effective in building hype for this protest, but is the main message being received?

Citizens worldwide have been protesting:

• corrupt global banks
• corporate greed
• job shortages
• layoffs
• increasing tuition
• stagnant debt
• increasing taxes

It’s easy to identify problems, but it’s hard to develop solutions.

The passion for social justice may have been present at these rallies, but the lack of a unified demand from the many voices causes me to be skeptical of a resolution in the near future. Even with social media’s mass publication of the Occupy Movement, they may be fighting a losing battle.

However, being part of the “99% population” affected by issues of rising tuition costs, unemployment and debt, I do encourage and support the protest. The government should not be funding institutions generating profit when the majority of the population is struggling just to get by.