It’s encouraging to see young people out protesting in the Occupy Wall Street movements. Even if they aren’t sure what the Occupy movement is fighting for, at least they are taking hold of their freedom to get drunk, eat take out and have public sex.

Beginning Sept. 17, a new movement erupted in Manhattan and quickly spread throughout the country. Over the past month, hundreds of thousands have gathered as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement to protest the right to liberty and life and love — wait that’s not right.

New York has witnessed fed-up Americans flood lower Manhattan to set up camp in Zuccotti Park in an effort to protest corporate influence in democracy, among other, not quite specified demands. That’s all well and good, but a quick message to members of our generation who have chosen to participate: Quit the crack and get a room.

Despite the criticism of the protests’ unclear demands and lack of leadership, our generation’s representation in the movement is more troubling. Some observers have praised the young participants for defying the stereotypes that Generation Y is lazy and prefers to advocate through nothing more than a Facebook group. Other talking heads have criticized us for not having a coherent understanding or realistic grasp of the underlying reasons for Occupy Wall Street.

I agree with the latter.

Recent reports point to why it might be that young protestors are so disconnected: All those 20-somethings are getting high, getting drunk and shacking — or should I say tarping — up.

Drugs such as marijuana, heroin and crack are being sold for $5 to $15, depending where you purchase. Multiple mainstream media outlets have published accounts of protestors engaging in loud sex beneath their sleeping bags or tarps. Those interviewed were between ages 18 and 30.

The New York Times published a small feature of a 19-year-old protestor who was apparently a victim of the police brutality at the Brooklyn Bridge March. But he’s OK now — he chugged some Four Lokos, ordered some chicken fingers and fries, and lost his virginity.

At least one occupier is satisfied.

This isn’t Woodstock kids, and Bonnaroo isn’t until June. You’re immediate dependence on drugs and sex pretty much solidifies all the negative stereotypes of our generation. Plus, gettin’ it on in the mud and filth at Zuccotti Park may seem like a fun story — it’s not. It’s gross. You probably haven’t showered in a few days (or weeks, at this point), and I doubt you wiped after defecating on that police car.

Occupiers aren’t fighting for free love. You’re about 40 years too late on that one. And the legalization of marijuana or other drugs is a completely unrelated topic.

I know it’s difficult; you’re confused about what exactly you’re protesting, but it’s OK, most people are. If you’re trying to be part of something you think is as big as the occupation of Tahrir Square go for it. (Side note: Occupy Wall Street does in no way warrant comparisons to the Egyptian Revolution.) Enjoy the excitement of a good ole grassroots movement. Just try not to contract an STD — or a baby — in the process.

Lauren Tousignant is a senior communications and rhetorical studies and writing major. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at letousig@syr.edu.

Published on November 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm