Occupy the Hood Aims to Bring More Minorities Into the Occupy Wall Street Fold

Occupy Wall Street wants to represent the "99 percent." But if you've been down to observe the goings-on at Zuccotti Park, you'll have noticed that the majority of participants are white, which -- at the risk of sounding obvious! -- does not represent 99 percent of the U.S. population. Now, labor unions are in on the act repping more working-class minorities, but that isn't reflected in the makeup of the Zuccotti campers.

In response to OWS's crunchy white image, two activist friends based in Detroit and New York have started a sub-movement called Occupy the Hood, which is focused on bringing minorities into the protest. On Facebook, the group's page reads:

We are The Least Represented We are Among The Ignored We are Among The Unemployed We are Considered The Under Educated We are Considered The Minority We are The Consumers But most importantly WE ARE THE HOOD!!
The neighborHOODs is where the hearts of the people are. Our homes, our parks, our selves. It is in our best interest to have all abled voices heard to bring forth a peaceful solution in this world we have been given. There are millions of people that are effected by the Wall Street crisis. The questionable, unethical activities downtown Manhattan... and in Corporate America directly effects our economic struggles and the future of all business and personal endeavors.

Occupy the Hood is the brainchild of Malik Rhasaan, a construction worker and father of three from South Jamaica, Queens. He went down to Occupy Wall Street near the beginning and liked it, but "I noticed there isn't a strong black and Latino presence, or a strong Asian presence for that matter," he said. "I realized a lot of people just don't know about it."

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/10/occupy_the_hood.php

At first glance it seems like an attempt to coalesce the races, and speak upon abnegated grievances in the impoverished neighborhood. Intuition tells me that this could be a detriment to a fledgling moving, as it can begin to focus on race instead of these criminal bankers. Many people have criticized the movement for its supposed banker involvement...they opine from a computer and have never took part in a protest in their lives. Its one thing to talk about the movement, its another to live it.

Peace,

Justin Horne

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Comment by robert alpert on November 26, 2011 at 7:15am: Benn up posting with Arthur Scargill in UK--Arthur led the most militant strike I've ever witnesses1 year against thatcher. NUM National union of miners was a top down orgainization--because Arthur eartned that right--starting working in the pits when he was 15--he and his people are very excited about Occupy the Hood--if you have videos or comments they will go on their sites particulartly the wales site (since Wales loved Big Paul so much. Nikki of course I support the complete liberation of Palestine but I gotta say the destruction of the congo is the worst crime I have seen in my life--and it destroys us in subtle Ways atL. Arthur is a figure to be rekoned with--he will never give up he has much to teach--your call I'll check for a response -- i don't think Palestiner can be free until Africa is free too tired catch you tomorrow

Comment by Nikki on November 17, 2011 at 2:08pm: @Robert, we support free Palestine. Here's a group for you to join

http://12160.info/group/free-palestine-end-the-occupation

Comment by robert alpert on November 17, 2011 at 10:30am: Tahyhe Philistiner!!!

Comment by robert alpert on November 17, 2011 at 10:29am: free Palestine (would like to hear some Palestinian support) but NATO is comin down on all of North Africa and CONGO

Comment by robert alpert on November 15, 2011 at 8:20pm: so tired missed today --crackdown is world wide coordinated oakland mayor gave it away-- grown ups gotta be in charge and everyone thinks the technology is so good they are wrong--not only does it make penetration easier (you don't need to build a karenga but the streaming from nyc a guy is telling the camera what is gonna be occupied tomorrow next day-- tried to reach Bob Moses couldn't hell i am afraid to write stuff here but I am pretty sure crack down soon Black folk not my call but i got an opinion --stay away we'll take the hits or I will

Comment by robert alpert on November 15, 2011 at 5:27am: i woke up Justin as I feared--wall street under attack I knew it would happen and it will happen here--the kids have no sense of history and as I said no sense of how powerful and dreadful the state can be--the vets yes--I agree about a united movement all i was saying is that black folks here nyc everywhere know these things and therefore should lead. These kids have not seen people killed they go back to their college rooms--I am not mocking them nor am I saying that Black folks should lead because of some racial thing. If I were in england I'd want arthur scargill and the miners. Because they understand the violoence of the state-- i am watching it now. Chaos is not democracy. Not permitting John Lewis to speak out of turn is not undemocratic --he has as Mr. Moses says "earned the right"--and provocateurs spies--when I worked for arthur we found out the man who drove his car--his "friend" was an agent" I agree about divide and conquer but there is only one way of fighting that --again Mr. Moses "earn trust" --that is the only way to discover the karengas among us--oh this is terrible my back still hurts I am sorry I have to go back to sleep--but if they are going to throw us out here I do not want to shame myself by not being there--take care.

Comment by Justin A Horne on November 14, 2011 at 10:35pm: Take care Robert, fear not my friend! I grew up in the movement as well. This is what they wanted, its so lucid its sickening. A divided populace can never succeed, but a unified army of critical thinkers can...divide and conquer...the oldest trick in the book. I have been broadcasting the evils of the Coltan mines and the prison-industrial complex since I was in my early teens; I'm now 23. The media will never report the truth, because its controlled by the liars,connivers, and megalomaniacal vermin. Please do not get entranced in the dichotomy of race, for a movement that amalgamates the races is the only one that can succeed. Love over powers the hate by two's is the adage I live by;even in a time of despair, when all benefit from the power of love. Peace--peace my friend

Justin A.Horne

Comment by robert alpert on November 14, 2011 at 9:59pm: @ Justin I was there well maybe 60 feet away--Lil Bobby as I remember was 16--I confess I don't remember seein Eldridge but swear it was Bobby who was almost naked as you say came out and oh God they must have shot him 12 times. Karenga you know we knew it at the time!! but he went on to fame no? I have never come terms with that. My first sncc meeting i think was with John Lewis but it was the women esp Mrs. Hamer Mrs. Hicks Annie Divine and above all my math teacher Mr. Moses who touched me deepest --Stokley well what can you say so brave but Mr..Moses's silence (well almost) was overpowering. Mr. Moses i think conceived of freedom summer as a way of protecting local folks--who remembers Herbert Lee? See at Dewey I have heard nothin about the prison system the biggest not just in the world but in history--that is is not getting mentioned at dewey nor is Coltan which has been slowely driving me crazy--it isn't white guilt well some but I do not believe that a white movement will get anywhere and I am terrified that a black movement will be slaughtered--most of these kids have not seen have no idea of the violence that the state is capable of--I'm old and I'm scared and gotta lie down sorry will try and catch ya tomorrow or when i feel better you think your 20 and you discover you aren't --take care

Comment by Justin A Horne on November 14, 2011 at 8:29pm: @Robert: Yes, I know who that is in the picture, the date in which he was shot, where: April 6th, 1968. The police used a "supposed" gunman as pretext to fire at a house where Bobby and Elridge lay, over a thousands of ammo were fired! They forced a naked Elridge out the house, but Bobby came out just shirtless and he was fatally shot. Bobby was only 18 years old at the time. Same can be said for Bunchy Carter and Bob Huggins who was set-up by Ron Karenga(he was the architect of Kwanza). Student National Coordinating committee was started in 1960 by Stokley Charmichael(a hero of mine) to help blacks register to vote, as we all recall the poll tax and understanding clauses which kept us for voting(as if voting ever changed anything). I agree with the merit of this initiative, not the point that this movement should focus on one sector of the populace. This is how we create divide we do not need, especially now. We should all coalesce in this fight, as well as, be cognizant of provocateurs and saboteurs involved. History does repeat itself, but sometimes, fresh ideas from galvanizing figures to jumpstart a movement. Stay well my friend

Peace