Throughout the holiday season, we catch glimpses of images of those in need; refugees, starving children and victims of injustice. The holiday season is the time of year when we think to reach a little deeper into our pockets for those "extra gifts" and to go above and beyond...but are they making a difference in our local or global communities? Ask BLAST, (a on-line lifestyle/ tech magazine for the "Generation Y and X crowd" who dabble in pop culture, MTV, Nintendo and student loans) who caught our attention this morning when it gave voice to a young member of the Occupy Boston camp.
The five question interview featuring 21-year old Nicole Sullivan is intriguing because it puts young people in touch with a narrative that could be coming from any one of their friends. She responds to questions with a strong sense of identity noting her membership to the queer community, the city of Somerville and local community college. She is a self-titled "activist" and has been involved in campaigns for more than just financial reform. She describes her perspective as one "from both sides of the fence" through her illustration of her family life and education and admits that, "once I lost the backbone of wealth, it did not matter how hard I worked. There is no way to win."
With Massachusetts reportedly having the third highest per capita personal income of $50, 735 in 2008 and a significant number of struggling citizens sprinkled throughout communities across the state, the concern of a dwindling middle class becomes a very real issue. Occupy Boston is not just a branch of a movement that targets the financial capital of the world, its a revolution to change the communities that subscribe to a "fend for yourself" attitude simply because they have the financial means to do so.
Ms. Sullivan's involvement with the Occupy Boston movement brings hope that young people are still engaged in their communities and will stand up for what they believe (even if its out of desperation). As a community, we must answer the call and support those who are disenfranchised and seek to make the world a better place like Ms. Sullivan. Her efforts, and those of her fellow activists, have not gone unnoticed, thanks to media outlets like BLAST. In fact, their message is loud and clear.
And in case there was any doubt, Ms. Sullivan is going places, even if its not to the infamous Dewey Square encampment.
Read Nicole Sullivan's interview here: People of Occupy Boston: Nicole Sullivan
How are YOU going to get involved? Share ideas by commenting below!
The five question interview featuring 21-year old Nicole Sullivan is intriguing because it puts young people in touch with a narrative that could be coming from any one of their friends. She responds to questions with a strong sense of identity noting her membership to the queer community, the city of Somerville and local community college. She is a self-titled "activist" and has been involved in campaigns for more than just financial reform. She describes her perspective as one "from both sides of the fence" through her illustration of her family life and education and admits that, "once I lost the backbone of wealth, it did not matter how hard I worked. There is no way to win."
With Massachusetts reportedly having the third highest per capita personal income of $50, 735 in 2008 and a significant number of struggling citizens sprinkled throughout communities across the state, the concern of a dwindling middle class becomes a very real issue. Occupy Boston is not just a branch of a movement that targets the financial capital of the world, its a revolution to change the communities that subscribe to a "fend for yourself" attitude simply because they have the financial means to do so.
Ms. Sullivan's involvement with the Occupy Boston movement brings hope that young people are still engaged in their communities and will stand up for what they believe (even if its out of desperation). As a community, we must answer the call and support those who are disenfranchised and seek to make the world a better place like Ms. Sullivan. Her efforts, and those of her fellow activists, have not gone unnoticed, thanks to media outlets like BLAST. In fact, their message is loud and clear.
And in case there was any doubt, Ms. Sullivan is going places, even if its not to the infamous Dewey Square encampment.
Read Nicole Sullivan's interview here: People of Occupy Boston: Nicole Sullivan
How are YOU going to get involved? Share ideas by commenting below!
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