Generation: Revolution

I live in a very quiet world in my apartment with no television, no radio, and no internet. I have a record player and the sounds of the alley to keep me company during the day. For the most part I thoroughly enjoy not having to keep up with the Kardashians, or stress out over what unintelligent thing a certain Minnesotan representative is going to say next. But I have regretted falling behind on news concerning the Occupy movement and what amazing things are going on across this country and around the world.

...do you realize we are in the middle of a revolution? A REVOLUTION!

Young people, old people, liberal, conservative, rich, and poor are gathering together because they're sick of it. Sick of inequality, an unequal distribution of wealth, increasing debt, a constantly widening division in Washington, complete apathy towards the 99 percent of the country, and just plain sick of not being listened to.

They used to call us lazy. What about now?

The Occupy movement has been criticized for not being organized and not presenting a clear list of demands and wishes. That's not what this is about. It's not about finding a leader, creating a new cabinet of leaders, sitting down with politicians, and politely asking for a change. This is about saying "We want change - NOW!" So what do these Occupy protesters want? What are they "occupying?"

I can only speak for myself.

I don't want to pay $30,000 + / year so I can get an education in this country.

I don't want to have to wonder that if I choose to make an investment, whether or not that money will be embezzled or stolen by some rich CEO.

I am frustrated that after six years of school, two degrees, and literally hundreds of job applications later, I am a waitress at the age of 27.

I am angry that, while our country is a democracy, no one in Washington is listening to what I have to say. No one is willing to stand up, risk their careers, and do the right thing!

I don't want to watch campaigns that are funded by the rich, the corporations, the 1%. Hey politician, who are you, but just another tax write-off?

I want to feel the power and enlightenment that so many young people across the Arab world are feeling as they take back their country. This is our country! Why aren't we able to elect people who deserve to be in office? Vote on things that truly matter to us?

So who are we?

We are the 99%, we are the people you see at the grocery store, we are in your classrooms, at your gas station. We are the doctors, the teachers, the unemployed, the disabled, the young, and the old. We are the ones voting, the ones paying the taxes, the ones working, the ones following the rules.

We are the ones without a voice.

Ask yourself: are you afraid of a revolution?