The Musings of Faith

The Real 99 Percent

These days, I hear chants echoing through the window of my apartment. “We-are-the-99-percent… and so are… We-are-the-99-percent … and so are … We…” Repeat as necessary.

I like Occupy Wall Street. After a summer spent with Al Jazeera and the low hum of unrest in the Middle East, I appreciate the rhythmic waves of objection pouring out from New York City’s own Zucotti Park. I feel the gripe of those who, in full lung, lament that “Banks got bailed out—we got sold out!” In addition to reminding me that protest is an American tradition (in recent years it’s been hard to imagine Americans convening en masse for anything other than a sporting event), the OWS moment has forced some necessary debate on income inequality, joblessness and the fractured bargain of America’s bad decade.

I’ve read some wonderful analyses of why it’s working, what the lefty movement has to do with the largely Republican Tea Party, and what to do now that it’s getting cold.

Here is another kink in the conversation. Most American protesters, however economically disadvantaged, are probably not as disadvantaged as, well, 99 percent of the global community. This provocation from the Motley Fool reminds us that the price of admission to the ranks of the global 1% is $34,000 in annual income.

The global distribution figures may seem incomprehensibly low, but consider a couple of statistics you’re likely familiar with: According to the U.N., “Nearly half the world’s population, 2.8 billion people, earn less than $2 a day.” According to the World Bank, 95% of those living in the developing world earn less than $10 a day.

Read More

Exactly my sentiments. Well said.

On September 9, the opening day of New York Fashion Week, a group of young Black women staged a silent demonstration. The 20-something ladies wanted to acknowledge the first time in their lifetimes that Essence magazine—a formidable Black women’s print beloved by scores Black girls for 40 years—does not have a Black fashion director. The group of professional and educated women, many of whom are fashion and media insiders, also stood in protest of the added fact that there are no Black fashion directors at any mainstream fashion or lifestyle publication.
Bayyina Black, an organizer and walk participant, explained that the demonstration was bigger than Essence. “On a larger scale, in the year 2010 there is only one woman of color, Nina Garcia, who is a fashion director in the entire fashion industry.”

It is this last line that got my attention. Wow. And Nina Garcia is a Latina women. One has to wonder why that is in the year 2010. I applaud their protest but how does this create actual change? Time will tell. But what it does do is promote awareness. And it certainly has. I had no idea before I read the article. Awareness is the first step towards change.
(via Young Women Stage “Fashion in Action!” Demonstration at New York Fashion Week | Clutch Magazine)

On September 9, the opening day of New York Fashion Week, a group of young Black women staged a silent demonstration. The 20-something ladies wanted to acknowledge the first time in their lifetimes that Essence magazine—a formidable Black women’s print beloved by scores Black girls for 40 years—does not have a Black fashion director. The group of professional and educated women, many of whom are fashion and media insiders, also stood in protest of the added fact that there are no Black fashion directors at any mainstream fashion or lifestyle publication.

Bayyina Black, an organizer and walk participant, explained that the demonstration was bigger than Essence. “On a larger scale, in the year 2010 there is only one woman of color, Nina Garcia, who is a fashion director in the entire fashion industry.”

It is this last line that got my attention. Wow. And Nina Garcia is a Latina women. One has to wonder why that is in the year 2010. I applaud their protest but how does this create actual change? Time will tell. But what it does do is promote awareness. And it certainly has. I had no idea before I read the article. Awareness is the first step towards change.

(via Young Women Stage “Fashion in Action!” Demonstration at New York Fashion Week | Clutch Magazine)

The Musings of Faith

Tag Results: protest

The Real 99 Percent

A Real Time Musing

Elsewhere Online

My Book List

Tumblr Posts I Like