Herman Cain, GOP candidate and alleged sexual harassment instigator, recently stated, with respect to the Occupy movement, that “To be angry at somebody because they’re successful is anti-American in my opinion.” He remarked. “It’s anti-American because to protest Wall Street and the bankers is basically saying that you’re anti-capitalism.”
Really, Mr. Cain? Anti-American? I beg to differ.
Herman Cain was born December 13, 1945. This means that he would have been roughly in his late teens/early twenties during the 1960s.
For those of you unaware of American history, the 60s were a time of counterculture revolution among the young people in America. Fighting for social equality, many young people took to the streets in protest. The protests of this time secured certain rights for minorities and helped bring our young men back from Vietnam.
The 60s were a period marked and defined by social movements, often in the form of protests. The protests in the 60s allowed for an African-American to be president today. Protests about social equality shaped the America we fight for today.
Herman Cain, who could become the president, apparently does not seem to remember the 60s, or if he does, he fails to see the parallels to the protests of today.
The people in Occupy Wall St. and Occupy Oakland may not have a completely clear
view of what they want, but they have made certain things clear: they are fed up with the disparity of wealth in America and are going to protest it until things start to change.
Just like the people in the 60s, these people see social injustice and can no longer turn a blind eye to it. These protesters are valiantly facing the cold and bitter wind in order to show who they consider blind rich people just how upset they are. They face police brutality, illness, and terrible conditions. These people are willing to get arrested for what they believe.
That’s anti-American to you, Herman Cain? Would you call Dr. Martin Luther King anti-American?
Social inequality is social inequality, whether it is minorities protesting oppression by whites or the poor being oppressed by the rich.
Protests are part of American history. We wouldn’t be the country we are today without protests and movements like the 60s civil rights movement and the Woman’s Suffrage movement in the early 20th century. Even the anti-Temperance movement demonstrated the power of protest. What makes those protests American and these one here today not?
It’s unacceptable for someone who could lead this country to say that the Occupy movement is anti-American. Perhaps Mr. Cain should read up on his history before he goes around calling protests and social movements anti-American.
Comparing the Occupy to the Civil Rights movement is absolutely silly. The context of the two events is completely different. I’m not saying Cain is right, but you should read up on your history before you make claims.