The Occupy Wall Street Movement and Ensuing Controversy

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On September 17, 2011 hundreds of people began to gather in Zuccotti Park, New York which is Wall Street’s financial district under the banner “Occupy Wall Street”: these three simple words are causing an uproar in America (Engler). Additionally, these three words happen to be protesting the current status of America’s financial condition. With the economy in America being as terrible as it is, and the unemployment rate skyrocketing, it is absolutely necessary for some sort of change to occur. The Occupy Wall Street protesting is most positively a progressive step for the economic state in America and it is a step in the right direction. It goes without saying that the Occupy Wall Street protestors are angry but what are they angry about? Who are they angry at? What are their goals? What are their plans to accomplish these goals? All social movements definitely conjure up a countless amount of questions, and answers are always essential. Occupy Wall Street is a social reform movement. They are organized by an ongoing group of protesting that are taking place across the country. These groups of protests are spreading rapidly like wildfire being taken place around America and around the world. The Occupy Wall Street social reform movement was initiated by the Canadian anti-consumerist magazine Adbusters. It is said that social reform movements arise when a significant number of citizens assemble together in order to correct social ills, unjust laws, or easing misery (Galens vii). This is exactly what has caused the Occupy Wall Street group to speak up and allow their concerns of America be heard. Frankly, the Occupy Wall Street protesters’ message is simple. They are infuriated over the social and economic inequality, high unempl... ... middle of paper ... ...n thinks the Occupy Wall Street movement is just a phase, they simply do not understand. In recapitulation, the Occupy Wall Street movement is much more than what has been put into this paper. It is history happening right before our eye. This movement is becoming the current talk of neighbors, teachers, classrooms, and even international leaders. Occupy Wall Street succeeds in shifting the way people view themselves and the American country, the kind of society that they believe is reachable, and their own involvement for supporting Occupy Wall Street in their steps in making American society work for the 99% and the 1%. The Occupy Wall Street social reform movement is not perfect, however, it is necessary. Something needs to be done about the financial state America and other countries are in but what exactly? That is one of the many million dollar questions.

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