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CNN Takes A Look At Occupy The Hood: ‘Adding Color To The Occupy Wall Street Movement’

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» 58 comments

As CNN pointed out this afternoon, not everyone in the so-called 99 percent is simply “not the one percent” — there’s a range of different economic groups and diverse backgrounds within that huge chunk of the population and, as with many ultimately well-meaning movements, certain groups’ specific needs or concerns tend to be shut out or overlooked. Enter a new movement: “Occupy the Hood,” which is, evidently, trying to reach out to minorities sympathetic to but disconnected from the Occupy movement.

The network interviewed New Yorker Malik Rhasaan, who noticed that his fellow protesters down in lower Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park were, well. Pretty white. That observation prompted Rhasaan to go online and vent his frustration, asking fellow young black people why they weren’t taking part in these protests. He soon learned that many would-be protesters felt “disconnected” from the Occupy movement. So Rhasaan took it upon himself to “bring it in a little closer,” as he describes it, and to offer his neighbors a means of looking at how problems arising in Wall Street ended up impacting their own neighborhood.

RELATED: It’s About Time: Occupy Wall Street’s ‘Instant History’ Book To Be Released In December

The movement — born out of a Twitter hashtag — focuses on providing immediate solutions to real-life problems within communities, like dealing with a Harlem landlord who refuses to fix his tenants’ boiler.

[Also, guys -- here's a question for any fellow Latinos and other people often described as being "of color:" What do you think about that term and phrases like "adding color"? Interested in your two cents.]

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  • http://twitter.com/jeebxoxo Jeigh Kas

    Is this real life?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

    Breaking News:

    CNN just branded the OWS movement as RACIST!
    How else to explain an overwhelmingly “white” movement?

    Isn’t that what CNN & the rest of Obama’s Media said about the “white” Tea Party movement – implied they were Racist?

    These media sycophants have the evolutionary development and orientation of 5th Century tribalists!

  • Anonymous

    That was a nice feel good piece, and the people interviewed did an admirable job of presenting their concerns respectfully and with validity.  I would note however that even with the media still doing their best to support the occupy movement why is it that we no longer see polling data on the movement’s popularity in the country.  Unlike what we saw in this piece much of the movement’s ideals and practices seem to be contrary to the mainstream point of view and standards of appropriate behavior.  Is this possibly why we are not hearing much on what the public’s sentiment towards the movement is?  I tried to search for current polling data and see nothing newer than November.  Maybe I am searching in the wrong places, but I suspect that the movement is struggling more so now than before for acceptance and legitimacy than it was in the late fall of last year.  

  • Anonymous

    OWS protestors are mostly white because the oppressors are now coming after them.  The Devil i s an equal opportunity destroyer.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1394370505 Kenietta Miller

    It really takes a simple mind, with the inability to
    contemplate complex motivations and relationships to equate the inability to
    attract minorities as a result of tactics or focus and an inability to attract
    minorities as a result of racist beliefs, ideologies and talking points. Any
    movement can have racist members. Occupy Wall Street is no exception. However,
    the Tea Party was founded on a “States Rights” philosophy which is
    historically racist. Minorities don’t support empowering the State because the
    State is the MAIN exploitive and oppressive force in minority communities. As
    for “adding color” as a Black woman I don’t find this term offensive to me.
    Adding color makes something stronger, more vibrant, and more sweet which in
    almost every respect improves something that is otherwise lacking. If anyone
    may feel the sting from this remark it’s white people. Ultimately it’s saying
    that any mostly white movement is deficient in something vital and necessary
    when it lacks the diversity of races and colors.

  • Anonymous

    The ball is in the peoples court.  It’s time to play ball  Stand up for your rights.  Demand fair and equitable treatment.  Don’t be like the Chinese and commit suicide.  They are the present day slaves.  That’s why jobs have gone overseas.  Greedy employers are destroying people for filthy lucre.  The love of moneyis the root of all evil.

  • D L

    What the ****?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     The Tea Party was saying these same things, with no occupation, rapes, murders, burnings, anarchy…and they effected real, demonstrable change.

    These OWS Democratic leeches want to do nothing but biatch at the world, and say ” gimmee more, gimmee more, gimmee more…”

    Yet look at how the Corrupt & BIAS Obama Media portrayed the Tea Party, and compare it to the coddling they’re giving these predators.

    No negotiating with parasites. We defeat them!

  • 12voltman1

    Sadly yes. But the result is people working together and helping each other.

  • 12voltman1

    CNN was enabling the expression of opinion and observation from a person of color.It is a story of people in mostly African American neighborhoods helping each other out. 
    Tell me how that is racist. How about if it was an Irish or Italian neighborhood?

  • 12voltman1

    Check your meds dude. You sound insane.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

    How about if it were the Tea Party?

    Oh, that’s right, Obama’s troops (SEIU goons) gave a beatdown to a black Tea Party protestor!

    What have we been telling you people?

    In 2012 America, Democrats are the biggest RACISTS around!
    - Youtube the beatdown the BLACK TEA PARTY protestor got, and see for yourself!

  • Anonymous

    “filthy lucre”

    He was in 2-Live Crew right?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Malone/100002475802402 Tim Malone

    That’s why in the hood most the stores are owned by Asians. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tim-Malone/100002475802402 Tim Malone

    People in the hood have plenty of time to protest because most of them dont work. 

  • 12voltman1

    You user name should be Archie Bunker..

  • Anonymous

    I think so.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     The President said he would bring people together – we just didn’t know he meant in desperation!
    ——————–

    I’m curious, why aren’t you guys more outraged over the $27 Billion that one person is going to amass – think of the ads his pac can run with that $$$  – and all the millions in fees the banks will be reaping from the way our financial system runs?

    Granted, people like Zuckenberg should be rewarded for their efforts with superior compensation, but within the parameters of a reasoned society, not the dictates of an imperfect Capitalism.

    Jeez, I’m outraged by the idiocy of a system that enables this, yet silence from the Left…just curious.

  • Anonymous

    OWS is standing up for human rights without using the intimidation of guns and vitriolic language, spitting on people and lying which are all demonic tactics. There are no rapes or murders as you well know. Everyone in this nation has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness whether you like it or not. We will not accept anything else. We are standing up for those rights and we will defeat you.

  • Anonymous

    Didn’t you hear the Chinese are committing suicide because of the unfair labor practices and pay , I believe Apple is paying them. Americans should stand in solidarity with them to protest these slave conditions.

  • Anonymous

    Race card? Really??

  • Anonymous

    Are all Republicans Racist or just the ones I know?

  • Anonymous

    Archie Boehner

  • Anonymous

    I thought the Tea Party died @ the debt ceiling debacle they “created”

  • Anonymous

    Maybe they can get some of those other black 99%’ers to join the movement. You know, like Beyonce, Jay Z, Oprah, Kanye, Puff Dummy, er, Daddy, Alicia Keyes, Usher, Mary J., Russell Simmons, Eddie Murphy, etc. (although they may look rich, they’re poor like you and me)…

    Where are my brothers and sisters when I need them? sheesh!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1572984371 Cindy Nowicki

    Do you think, just maybe, black Americans don’t want to be used as they were by white’s in the 60′s?

    Cloward and Piven tried to use this same minority group of the 60′s, to recapture the incitement and violence in the 90′s, while trying to pass the Motor Voter Registration law. Thankfully, most stayed away from this debacle.

    Minorities did not take kindly, remembering the Watts Riots of the 60′s. Many, now older adults, realize the left used them to make their point in a more violent atmosphere.

    I’m not saying the the minority voter isn’t sympathetic to some of the issues of the OWS crowd. i believe they will sit back, watch and wait to see how this all plays out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     What world are you in – they’re burning down Oakland!
    - not to mention the rapes, pillaging, looting, defecation, violence, murders, over 5500 arrests (under 50 Tea Party arrests in 3 years!).

    Now tell me who’s dealing with reality, and who’s not.

    The “spitting” was a RACIST SMEAR by the Black Caucus LIARS!
    No one ever produced any video, sound clip, or anything else to corroborate the filthy RACE_CARD they always play!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     Our Jobs Czar – or whatever they’re calling him these days – Immelt, sent 24,000 jobs to China to make Obama’s new lightbulb.
    Btw, he DROPPED 24,000 jobs here that were making the old lightbulb!

    And he’s our Jobs Guy!

    Don’t believe the hype, Obama doesn’t have a clue!

  • Anonymous

     Glass houses donnie boy

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     LOL – “historically racist”?
    States rights (i.e. individual rights!) are racist?

    What does that mean, racist?
    What do you on the left mean when you say “race”?

    That a person’s skin color determines his personality? – intellect? – values? – emotions?
    What exactly do you mean by “race”, and the Democratic political flail, “racist”?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Politics-culture-Reasoned-America/100001284363960 Politics-culture Reasoned Amer

     Nice post.
    C&P also specifically targeted them for that use!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1572984371 Cindy Nowicki

     Thanks….

    Exactly…You are spot on. The Cloward and Piven Strategy specifically targeted the black community.

    Liberal commentator and author, Juan Williams, wrote a column in the 90′s, disparaging the C&P ‘tactics,” warning them, in no uncertain terms, to stop using blacks for their agenda.

    Williams accused them of preying on the black community, wanting them to march a.k.a riot, in the streets, as they had in the 60′s.

  • Anonymous

    Then the story wouldn’t be a story because Irish and Italians are considered “white”- The whole point is that it is about a black man stepping out in his hood to connect the black community to a movement that is 99% white.

  • Anonymous

    If the Tea Party movement had as few blacks as the Occupy movment has, they’d be called racist. Oops, that’s right, they were.

  • Anonymous

    Occupying the hood? Just imagine if that line had come from Fox.

  • Anonymous

    If I were you, I’d start by looking in the mirror, don.

  • 12voltman1

    I’m color blind.

  • Anonymous

    Hate to tell CNN that this is not new. Occupy The Hood has been going on for quite some time. CNN would have known this if they and others in main stream media were covering the Occupy movement from the beginning.  I do give credit for Occupy The Hood for taking care of the community unlike those idiots in Los Angeles who are to busy with egos and power, etc, etc.
    One other note, they were and are blacks involved since the beginning just like Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans. As big as CNN is you would think they could do a lot better on their homework. 

  • Anonymous

    Russel Simmons is involved. 

  • Anonymous

    There is more going on then you realize in the Occupy movement. Things like “plants” provocateurs, tactics used to bring an end to movements. Their has been reports of rapes but by who? As far as spitting.  

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYRLeJw1aG8

  • Anonymous

    Why were people like you instant about calling the tea party racist because of the majority were white but willing to make excuses and defend the OWS people.

    This is why OWS and others like yourself have no respect when the hypocrisy is so overwhelming and obvious .

  • Anonymous

    It takes more than one man or person to ruin a country and as far as pacs go, both sides will have millions and maybe into the Billions. The ones really getting hurt? The people

  • Anonymous

    There is nothing more powerful than an intelligent woman…
    Speak on!

  • 12voltman1

    People like me?

  • Anonymous

    Well that would be wrong because the movement is not 99% white

  • Anonymous

    So ALL Democrats are racists?

  • AliveStillKickin

    “OCCUPY” was started by Adbusters and you jus knew they would have a connection to George Soros

    Top Funders and Grantees

    Funding From Foundations& CorporationsTotal DonatedTime Frame

    Foundation for Deep Ecology
    $235,000.00
    1992 – 2001

    Glaser Progress Foundation
    $201,500.00
    2002 – 2003

    Weeden Foundation
    $40,000.00
    2001 – 2002

    Triangle Community Foundation
    $5,000.00
    2000 – 2000

    Robert & Deanna Halper Foundation
    $5,000.00
    2001 – 2001

    New Road Map Foundation
    $5,000.00
    1998 – 1998

    Funding Exchange
    $5,000.00
    1999 – 1999

    Funding From OtherActivist GroupsTotal DonatedTime Frame

    Tides Foundation & Tides Center

    $334,217.00
    1996 – 2003

    OOPS!!

  • Anonymous

    I was not aware of any arrests of Tea Party?

    Do you have any information, please.

  • armand1
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous

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