Business suits, briefcases and corporate attitudes are common Wall Street sights. However, if you are traveling to New York City any time soon, you may see something very different. Protesters of corporate America have been flooding the area with signs in their attempt to end capitalism and promote change.

‘Occupy Wall Street’ is a peaceful protest that began Sept. 17. However, it started gaining momentum this past weekend. On Oct. 1, the protesters blocked the Brooklyn Bridge and laid out their demands, too idealistic and unorganized to be effective. They could actually recede the United States economy even further.

Here are some of my favorites: First, a single payer health care system: You would receive medical treatment but not have to pay for it. Next, restoration of a living wage: Even if you’re unemployed, you can afford to live wherever you choose. And lastly, open borders migration: You could freely come and go from the United States as you please.

These wayward fantasies to improve the United States will get us nowhere. What we really need are strong-minded, realistic people who actually know what will benefit our nation.

But I can appreciate the protesters acting on their beliefs. Freedom of speech is one aspect of the United States that should never change, which is why I’m a little disappointed in my generation’s lack of effective activism.

Whatever happened to anti-war protests on college campuses or chaining yourself to trees?

If there is a peaceful protest, it is hardly ever started by students. It is more frequently initiated by outside parties, according to a September 2011 Saturday Night Magazine article. Granted, we’re not privileged enough to have participated in or seen an anti-establishment movement besides the recent sorry attempt at one. But that’s no excuse. The majority of students today don’t understand the effectiveness of active rallying. We have lost our confidence in public protests.

Does that mean our generation is more complacent and apathetic? I don’t think so. An article from the Yale Daily News on April 14 stressed the position of young people in the changes and the reform of the United States today. The number of youths voting in elections has increased and there are many new groups like California Public Interest Research Group and the Young Democrats of America that are politically active. It is up to each generation to create a political spectrum for themselves. These groups, among others, can help shape that identity.

Student organizations do still exist; they just aren’t being used in the same way. The Saturday Night Magazine article described how, instead of protests, riots and boycotts, students today set up booths and invite speakers to lecture. Compared to University of California-Berkeley’s Free Speech Movement in 1964-65, this current strategy is weak. To me, expressing opinions in such an active manner is much more compelling and progressive than simply promoting awareness.

We have been called the ‘Lost Generation’ and the ‘middle children of history.’ They say that we have nothing to fight for. I completely disagree. We have our futures to fight for and the futures of the next generations resting on our shoulders. We need to stand up for what is right. We need to fight for ideas that will actually improve the world, not start uprisings on daydreams and unrealistic fantasies.

Jessica Wiggs is a sophomore English and textual studies major. Her column appears every Monday and she can be reached at jawiggs@syr.edu.

Published on October 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm