(ThyBlackMan.com) Last week, one of the most controversial protests began in New York City. The protestors are talking about the applications of financial education. They are sleeping outside, they are being arrested, they are bringing attention to some very sensitive financial conversations and they just might be teaching us all a thing or two about our individual financial ideals.
What is the Occupy Wall Street Protest?
On September 17, 2011 a group of diverse people set out to change the way corporations do business in this country. Photos posted on the internet show 
people that are young and old, of many different cultures and ethnicities, and various gender representations. According to the website, http://OccupyWallSt.org, the organization is the “99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%”. There are people that want to raise taxes on the wealthy, people that want to modify the way taxes are levied on corporations, people that want to regulate the income difference between C-suite executives and employees and others that wanted to have the “personhood” of corporations repealed. They have different agendas, but similar motivations. People are being taken advantage of by corporations and these peaceful protestors believe that they can change things.
Takeaways from the Protest
Whether you agree or disagree with the message of the protestors there are definitely some things we can learn from them:
Find out how things work. If you want things to be different (i.e. jobs, foreclosures, taxes, etc.) then you have to understand how those things work so you can advocate for changes. Griping to your friends doesn’t count as “doing something”. Figure out who you need to contact and then organize your network to let that person, or those people, know that changes need to occur.
Peacefully fight for your rights. Nothing will change if you don’t let people know, with your dollars, votes, etc. that changes need to be made. It’s up to each of us to advocate for stronger communities. Don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard.
Understand that you’ve got the responsibility, and the ability, to change things. The great thing about our country is that we are built on the idea that each of us can contribute positively to the political and economic climate of our country. That means that you have a responsibility to make sure that you’re doing your part to create stability in your communities. You have some wonderful tools and resources inside of you to get that job done. Your ideas are valuable and our country needs those ideas.
You don’t have to sleep on the streets of New York to contribute your energy to bettering our nation. Do what you feel comfortable with in your own neighborhood, but do something.
Written By Shay Olivarria
Official website; http://www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com