They were protesting the G20 summit because they don't believe in capitalism. This is not out of the ordinary. Anarchist have been against capitalism since their conception. However, the odd thing is that this protest began with a reverend preaching about "not accommodating the devil". Exactly who is the devil? It's must likely capitalism. But since when have anarchists and religion worked together? As far as the all-knowledgeable wikipedia, anarchism and religion don't mix. After being faced with this evidence, I must disagree with wikipedia, anarchism and religion are perfect for each other. Both are useful in a time of crisis, and isn't the U.S. in one now.
We haven't seen this many protests in the past because people were employed and had jobs to show up to. With the current high percentage of unemployment, Americans must find something to occupy their time with. Protesting seems to be the perfect time consumer. Why? Well because protesting is the same as complaining. Something that we are all guilty of doing when things aren't going the way we want them to. As Americans we complain about high gas prices, interest rates and taxes. However, very rarely do we do something to cure us of our ills. I do not approve of violence, but I have to say that I am proud to see Americans not just complaining about their problems. They are taking action to improve America. Now all we need is for moderate Americans to would get involved and fight for helpful non-radical improvements.
Really? I am not so sure that Americans are protesting any more now than they have in the past. Historically, Americans have always loved to exercise their right to free speech by protesting. I feel like you can't walk up to the fences of the White House, or the steps of Capital Hill without running into at least one protester. Perhaps the protests are becoming more publicized because they are becoming larger as the issues gain more significance to a greater scope of people. I agree that there is definitely more people out in the streets rallying, but I don't necessarily think there are more issues being protested, just seemingly more significant ones.
ReplyDeleteI should have been more specific in my post. There have been protesters since the beginning of American time, but I haven't seen these very public or violent protests. The 60s and 70s were filled with protests but they seemed to die over the years. It seems that they are starting to pick up again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelli. I don't remember a time when there wasn't at least one protest going on in the country. And I think it's a little unfair for you to generalize by saying the reason people have been protesting is because they're unemployed and have nothing better to do. So, you're saying that people with jobs or some other means of occupying their time have no beliefs to stand up for? What about the Writers Guild strike two years ago? What about student protesters?
ReplyDelete"As Americans we complain about high gas prices, interest rates and taxes. However, very rarely do we do something to cure us of our ills."
Um, false? What America are you talking about? Besides, that's what protesters are trying to do -- cure themselves of their ills. Hence why they want change, why they want people to hear their voices, and why. They. Protest.
The last part of your argument makes no sense. You spend the entire post calling out the protesters, then you say all protesters do is complain, and THEN you applaud the protesters for taking action? Maybe I'm reading your post incorrectly, but it sounds like you flip-flopped at the very end to avoid being *too* controversial.
Also, there have been tons of public and violent protests in the past. The police used to use fire hoses to spray protesters in the streets. I'd say that's pretty violent.
People in America have always used protest as a means of exercising free speech and will continue to do so until America is no longer. I think its a bit off base to say that the reason for your purported increase in protests is due to low unemployment. Implying that people protest because they have nothing better to do undermines the very power of protests and thereby the constitution that allows that form of free speech.
ReplyDeleteThe Deviant Press; SB
I am glad people are doing something other than complain but I don't think throwing trash cans at the police is the way to do it. There are other ways to handle problems and I am all for peaceful protesting, but when protests get violent or offensive they mute the issues that are being fought for. The video of the 9/12 marches focused more on the fact that the signs were offensive than on the issue they were protesting... health care.
ReplyDelete