Occupy The Hood: Reflecting All of the 99% - Getting People Of Color Involved

Occupy Wall St. has gotten quite a bit of steam since the last Afro-punk coverage of the ever-expanding protests but I know some of you have remarked that it has one flaw that I’ve noticed too: It looks rather White. The very people out there who should be saying something, the Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, etc., etc., are sparse. This is why Occupy The Hood exists, to carve out not simply a space but an entryway for us to feel comfortable to speak our voices in the Occupy Wall St protests. I’ve had the opportunity to interview one of the creators of Occupy The Hood, Malik.

Contributor: Olivia Haynes

Interview:

It bears repeating that no matter what any minority feels about the Occupy Wall St. protests, we can’t afford to keep our mouth shut this time. It doesn’t matter about people's personal political ideologies, Occupy Wall St. isn’t about that. It’s about people who are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” and we all know how that feels as minorities living in the hood or anywhere else. Whether you disagree with the name Occupy The Hood or not does not matter, the aim is still the same: get more of the actual 99% to speak up. For those who complained that they won’t march because it’s too White, it’s not our problem and other excuses, here you go, a spot for you and yours. Don’t like how things are running? Say something. If you’re worried of jarring the White people out of their illusion of a world that is post racial, go right for it, speak up for yourself and be heard. It’s going to be hard and yes, you’re going to want to hit them sometimes but at least it’s better than the silence and disempowerment they’re used to getting. There’s no better time than now to showcase that the 99% isn’t White, it’s everyone and everyone needs to be heard. You’re not fighting for White people, you’re fighting for yourself and your proper place in America. You’re only fighting for the Whites when you let them dominate the mic, so be heard and occupy something.

Wanna help out Occupy The Hood? They need people from graffiti artists to medics to plain ol’ occupiers joining on, here’s how you get in touch:

Call: (646) 580-4186 (official number)
Twitter: @OccupyTheHood
Facebook: OccupyTheHood
Email: OccupyTheHood@gmail.com

There’s also Occupy The Hood’s for various cities:
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Chicago
Austin
DC

Tags: Color, Corporate, Greed, Hood, Occupy, Of, People, Protests, St, Street, More…The, Together, Wall

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Comment by Afro-Punk on November 4, 2011 at 6:40am: Hi Hitch, the link is still working on our end. Maybe you have to wait for a while for it to load. Thanks!

Comment by Hitch on November 4, 2011 at 2:23am: I guess I missed the interview since the link didn't work but this has been coming up a lot more lately

Comment by blanka on October 26, 2011 at 1:15am: Thank you for this interview. Malik speaks with insight and passion. It's the people who are cut by social injustice in real life that are most needed in the social movement. Occupy the world!

Comment by Chris Asrk-pa El on October 24, 2011 at 12:40am: the protests are a superpower and if we protest right* (all injustice) everybody will benefit from them.(sorry for the typo im currently under attack by the sparks*)

Comment by Chris Asrk-pa El on October 24, 2011 at 12:40am: the protests are a superpower and if we protest right* (all injustice) everybody will benefit from them.(sorry for the typo im currently under attack by the sparks*)

Comment by Chris Asrk-pa El on October 24, 2011 at 12:40am: the protests are a superpower and if we protest right* (all injustice) everybody will benefit from them.(sorry for the typo im currently under attack by the sparks*)

Comment by Chris Asrk-pa El on October 24, 2011 at 12:10am: The protest are a worldwide superpower and we protest right* (all topics of injustice) everybody will benefit everybody. Hopefully..

Comment by Yirme on October 24, 2011 at 12:00am: Oh I see what you mean and I totally agree.. But who do you think is going to benefit from OCCUPYWALLST in the end? I hate to sound negative or anything, I just know how this country is towards Black People. If the bankers or 1% do happen to distribute the wealth, where do you think that money's going? To the hood to tear down the projects to build new town homes?

Comment by Chris Asrk-pa El on October 23, 2011 at 11:49pm: No, I meant the protesters. Sure a chunk of the lot picks up the family heritage of business and prejudice. If they choose not to pick up fascism and/or money they 'rebel' and start to become an true individual in my book. (unless they are helping who needs help* which is also cool with me) What can we say about us? The norm for a "black" family is urban middle class right? and our inheritance is the discrimination and the stereotypes of a gangster and usual 'not forced by words(usually) but by inheritance, discrimination, peer pressure, lack of family structure and government chemical tainted snacks and goodies we fall into that picture they have painted for us and our rebelling would be going to school and getting an education right? But the way times are now I agree with both of the typical roles, we have to protect from corruption of those who job is to protect us and to educate to roll with the punches with the system do you agree?

Comment by Yirme on October 23, 2011 at 11:15pm: Yes I totally believe all of them accept these privileges, that's why you will have a business with most of your managers and supervisors are white. Black People don't really own anything in this country, why do you think this is the case? I see their inherited privileges everyday and them take advantage of it.. You have to be sortra blind not to see it.. Chris ASRK, I want to hear what you think Bro..