A Case Analysis for Occupy Wall Street Movement

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Purpose of the research
Background Information
Literature Review
Problem statement
Significance of the problem
References

Introduction

The theory of ‘in place’ and ‘out of place’ tends to stratify the society on the basis of the correct placement of each social stratum. These strata could rely on economic affluence, ideologies, gender, race or religion. This phenomenon is an interesting focal point, when examining the instances when geography intersects with social ideologies of a particular setting (Cresswell, 1996).

Therefore, the societal expectations make individuals behave in a certain manner when he/she occurs in a particular setting, and any consequence that may accompany their defiance is blamed more on the correctness of the place rather than on the explicit nature of the occurrence (Hubbard, Kitchin, & Valentine, 2010).

This research proposal is designed to look at a situation in the social setting that depicts the society’s correctness in relation to place and how this correctness or incorrectness affects them or the surrounding society in that particular place both explicitly and implicitly. The real time study of Occupy Wall Street Movement was chosen as a phenomenon worth analyzing.

It is important to note that the movement can be regarded as an illustration of the power of specific space over specific groups of people. The instance of St. Paul’s Cathedral (London) verifies the assumption that place (or space) can play a very important role in the development of societies. For instance, London protestors decided to express their ideas in immediate proximity to London Stock Exchange (“St Paul’s Protest”, 2011).

Therefore, people’s choice was rather predictable, as they wanted to be heard by their opponents, “financial sharks”. It is also important to note that they people could not simply occupy areas near the Exchange as the areas were privately owned. Therefore, protestors had an opportunity to find an ideal public place to express their concerns.

Remarkably, the protestors were heard as authorities tried to come to certain agreement. More so, dean of the cathedral had to resign which can be regarded as a manifestation of power of such social movements (Walker, 2011). Admittedly, the fact that the protestors were heard is due to the place they occupied. In that case space (or rather specific place) influenced choices different groups of people made.

Purpose of the research

The purpose of this research paper is to critically examine the situation upon which the aspects of social expectations with regard to the society’s way of life are related to space. It will cast light on different facets of place away from just the spatial implications. Various instances in which an individual taking a particular social place is expected to behave in a certain way will be analyzed looking at the real life occurrences that made the phenomenon explicitly reveal itself in a social setting in a real time.

In attempt to bring out the situation in a more realistic manner and in a way that people can relate with, this research paper focuses on the Occupy Wall Street Movement, a kind of uprising that began in September 2011. Inspired by the uprisings in the Arab world that have been associated with ushering in revolutionary changes in favor of the oppressed majority (Gelder, 2011), the movement was on the forefront in demand for a fair share of equality in economic, social and political arenas.

Hence, the argument will be based on whether there is a relationship between the ways in which the protesting behave in airing their demands and places where they gather with reference to the social structure.

It is important to note that the present movement provides important insights into the assumption that privatization of public places minimizes people’s control over the development of the societies (Mitchell, 1995). The idea of the movement is that a small group of people accumulates all resources depriving the majority of the citizens from those resources.

Ironically, the movement was an illustration of the basic idea. People occupied public places and tried to make their ideas heard. Importantly, authorities tried to make the protestors go even from the public areas (Burns, 2011). Therefore, Mitchell’s concerns about minimization of public control can be rather relevant. Apart from this, the protests in London show that the place does shape people’s behavior.

Thus, being in immediate proximity to the cathedral made people more preserved and tolerant. In fact, both sides had to consider their actions thoroughly because of the place chosen by the protestors. Hence, the argument will be based on whether there is a relationship between the ways in which the protesting behave in airing their demands and places where they gather with reference to the social structure.

Background Information

Occupy Wall Street abbreviated as OWS is a movement that began in Zuccoti Park in New York on September 17^th 2011 after being contrived by Adbuster, an activists group based in Canada. The aim of the protest was to disapprove the prevalence economic disparity among the Americans which led to the emergence of social alienation among the middle class and the poor by the few economically affluent people who were perceived to be in control of the Wall Street Business District.

In addition, they strongly opposed the participation of the corporate and financial institutions in the political arena, among other basic social wrongs, such as a high rate of unemployment and corruption that have been associated with difficulties of survival among the majority (Apps, 2011).

According to Apps (2011), the strikers considered themselves as the representatives of the majority that were unemployed, homeless and did not enjoy medical and social benefits, while the political elite and their corporate cronies seemed to benefit from the system.

Lower Manhattan has not been spared from the rampant riots and uprisings due to its connection with financial system and the economy (History.com Staff). The overall intent of Occupy Wall Street was connected with those receiving end crossing and wanting to cross barriers, occupy places meant for public use or even to air their dissatisfaction.

This approach could be accompanied by possible violence and severe ramifications. The use of social media was seen as a breakthrough on gathering the crowd and circumventing the administration as well spreading their blueprint.

Literature Review

Ideological values are a product of social expectations with regard to the conduct in a particular spatial setting (Therborn, 1980). Scholars, such as Goren Therborn (1980), have argued that an ideology could only be considered to be good or bad with regard to the place in which it was taking place rather than time.

Hence, it becomes justifiable for someone to judge on the validity of an action basing his argument on the spatial setting upon which the action is taking place. While it is usually unnoticeable when individuals behave normally being “in place”, it becomes obvious when a person acts “out of place” because it does not correspond to the expectations of the surrounding society, which may expose the actor to prejudice.

Kitchin (1999) also argues that people often see if some individuals or groups do not fit the space occupied. Though the researcher focuses on specific characteristics, the assumption can be applied to various groups characterized by different features. Thus, socio-economic features make people find themselves in different camps. The researcher also dwells upon some issues concerning social justice (Kitchin, 1999).

Studies have shown that social injustices are characterized by distinct spatial settings which are exhibited through the control and domination of space by one group of people. When the word ‘injustice’ is used, unfair treatment comes in mind and is more inclined to the issue of social morality (Smith, 1994).

This implies that people who are oppressed by an economic or political system are more likely to be found in a certain locality away from their oppressors. In order for them to have their outcry given attention, they tend to move to the localities in which they believe they will catch the attention of the oppressors. Such was the case of Occupy Wall Street Movement.

Problem statement

The problem statement for the research paper is to critically analyze the Occupy Wall Street Movement and determine whether there is(are) any instance(s) the behavior and actions of the protestors intersect with place. The research will examine the interaction between the actions of the protestors and the place in which they decided to camp; whether they were in place to do so or they were out of place.

Significance of the problem

Zuccoti Park is a privately owned park that is accessible to the public. It was designed for recreational purpose, but on September 17^th, 2011, people with absolutely different agenda started trickling in the park to protest against the Wall Street system. Thus, these people did not behave with respect to the expectations of the general public and the owners, too.

Hence, they were viewed to have taken their motives out of place. The NYPD was not in the capacity to install a curfew in the park to avert the strikers from being there though it seemed to be an appropriate intervention. If the park was not privately owned, the police could have used every means at their disposal to avert the entry into the park.

This is because the strikers were not intending to use it in the way prescribed by the common law. If the protesters had decided to air their protests at their homes, possibly, nobody could have noticed it.

In addition, there were reported cases of theft of mobile phones and laptops among the protesters who claimed to receive police protection. In some instances, cases of sexual harassment started leaking into the press that led to setting up of tents exclusively meant for female protesters.

Some cases of violence went unreported with the police blaming the strikers of infusing “three strikes policy” which discouraged the victims from reporting any physical violence inflicted upon them until the offender performed the same violence in three different occasions. The protesters claimed the police tell them to deal with their own tribulations or go back to their homes.

Thus, this case presents a credible illustration of people acting out of place which draws attention from various actions. These people were denied some basic rights by the police on the claims that they were not supposed to use the park for that purpose. Various evils were inflicted upon them, which looked justifiable in the eyes of the offenders; after all they were not supposed to have camped there.

Thus, it is important to take a closer look at the movement in the context of space. It is important to reveal the correlation between the exact place and people’s actions. Crang and Thrift (2000) point out that space cannot be separated from social context and vice versa. Therefore, the movement can be analyzed in terms of socio-spatial context.

It can be important to understand the choices people made, and how the places chosen affected the way people acted. Apart from this, it is essential to analyze the outcomes of the protests. It is important to understand whether the place chosen helped protestors to achieve their aims or not. It is also necessary to trace the development of the protestors’ ideas and the development of the movement itself.

This analysis can help to more deeply understand the role of place in the development of societies. The precise movement can provide insights into socio-spatial processes that take place in the societies.

References

Apps, P. (2011, October 11). Wall Street action part of global Arab Spring? Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-global-politics-protest/wall-street-action-part-of-global-arab-spring-idUSLNE79A03Z20111011

Burns, J.F. (2011, October 30). ‘Occupy’ protest at St. Paul’s cathedral in London divides church. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/world/europe/occupy-protest-at-st-pauls-cathedral-splits-anglican-church.html?pagewanted=all&mtrref=undefined&gwh=647817B4F967C6A37944AB9071E5C5FE&gwt=pay

Cresswell, T. (1996). In Place/Out of Place: Geography, Ideology, and Transgression. Minneapolis, MN, USA: University of Minnesota Press.

Gelder, S.V. (2011). How occupy Wall Street changes everything. In S.V. Gelder &Staff of Yes! Magazine (Eds.), This changes everything: occupy wall street and 99% movement (pp. 1-13). New York, NY: Beret-Koehler Publishers.

Crang, M. & Thrift, N.J. (2000). Thinking Space. New York, NY: Routledge.

History.com Staff. (2011). Wall Street: 300 Years of Protests. Web.

Hubbard, P., Kitchin, R. & Valentine G. (Eds.) (2010). Key Thinkers on Space and Place (2nd edn.). London: Sage.

Kitchin, R. (1999). Creating and awareness of others: Highlighting the role of space and place. Geography, 84(1), 45-54.

Mitchell, D. (1995). The end of public space? People’s Park, definitions of the public, and democracy. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 85(1), 108-133.

Smith, D. J. (1994). Geography and Social Justice. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

St Paul’s protest: Legal action is launched. (2011, October 28). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-15495019

Therborn, G. (1980). The Ideology of Power and the Power of Ideology. New York, NY: New Left Books.

Walker, P. (2011, October 31). Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral resigns over Occupy London protest row. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/oct/31/dean-st-pauls-resigns-occupy

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