tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744719782560878621.post7049516295201136742..comments2023-09-12T02:58:10.004-07:00Comments on Marc Estrin -- Novels and Other Texts: MANIFEST DESTINY?Marc Estrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17921937104469348774noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744719782560878621.post-25700961631556517102011-10-24T10:56:02.315-07:002011-10-24T10:56:02.315-07:00It's true in Worcester MA too; the Occupy move...It's true in Worcester MA too; the Occupy movement looks very white, very male... reports I've heard of the occupation camp itself make it sound like an ongoing crust-punk frat party, complete with illegal drugs and alcohol. My friend heard someone there say, "If you're not with us, you're just in the way". So much for the 99%.<br /><br />There was an "Occupy Clark" GA last night at my university, a gentrifying force in a poor neighborhood which is mostly people of color. The gathering of students wanted to occupy the park across the street. I told them we're already occupying the neighborhood. We could at least be repentant about it.<br /><br />They decided to occupy the library, where they're allowed to be anyway. They're doing their homework there; it's now the status quo, with tents.<br /><br />I think part of why this movement is so popular is that folks can be part of it because they're part of the "99%", but they don't need to understand systemic privilege or oppression.<br /><br />As a queer white woman, I hope to start a working group to make the space more friendly to women and gender minorities: hopefully other folks can make similar ones for people of color and differently abled people to try and address the privilege and exclusivity of this movement.<br /><br />Boston has a good start with its De-colonize Occupy Boston working group and its statement in solidarity with indigenous peoples. I hope we can build on that vision of de-colonization rather than occupation.Holly Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10681393530497326996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744719782560878621.post-91689204010998114482011-10-24T10:47:07.120-07:002011-10-24T10:47:07.120-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Holly Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10681393530497326996noreply@blogger.com