Solving The Essential Racism and Sexism In The Occupy Movement
Claudia Cragg (@claudiacragg - Twitter) talks with Heather Hurwitz about her book, '." Despite cries of \u201cWe are the 99%,\u201d signaling solidarity, certain groups were unwelcome or unable to participate. Moreover, problems with racism, sexism, and discrimination due to sexuality and class persisted within the movement. The protestors that comprised the #OccupyWallStreet movement came from diverse backgrounds. But how were these activists\u2014who sought radical social change through many ideologies\u2014able to break down oppressions and obstacles within the movement? And in what ways did the movement perpetuate status-quo structures of inequality? Are We the 99%?\xa0is the first comprehensive #feminist and intersectional analysis of the Occupy movement. Heather McKee Hurwitz considers how women, people of color, and genderqueer activists struggled to be heard and understood. Using immersive first-hand accounts of activists\u2019 experiences, online communications, and media coverage of the movement, Hurwitz reveals lessons gleaned from the conflicts within the Occupy movement. She compares her findings to those of other contemporary protest movements\u2014nationally and globally\u2014so that future movements can avoid infighting and deploy an \u201cintersectional imperative\u201d to embrace both diversity and inclusivity. Dr. is currently a Project Staff Researcher at and can be reached on Twitter at @heathermhphd (with related info. at @funwsoc and @BarnardCollege.)