The OccupyWallStreet protest movement is starting to really creep me out. The 'repeat in unison' craziness in particular is such mindless cult behavior that it becomes truly frightening. I do understand the stated rationale for this, but it just smacks of mind-control technique.
The protesters now hold General Assemblies twice a day. There are three key components to the meetings: the “human microphone,” in which the people closest to the speaker repeat his or her words in unison for the rest of the crowd; the “stack taker,” who manages the list of people who want to speak; and a set of hand signals that include “spirit fingers” to indicate assent and arms crossed in an X to indicate a question or objection.
http://www.observer.com/2011/09/beating-the-street-is-occupy-wall-street-the-battle-of-the-battery-or-the-bonfire-of-the-humanities-majors/2/
And the latest revelation about their 'white-men-last' rule is simply madness.
The Occupy Wall Street movement has adopted racist rules for speech at its nightly “General Assembly” meetings, according to which white men cannot speak unless preceded by some other type of person.
State your race, gender & sexual orientation, then maybe we'll let you speak. Later.
According to Occupy Wall Street supporter/observer “Lori“:
Occupy Wall Street’s General Assembly operates under a revolutionary “progressive stack.” A normal “stack” means those who wish to speak get in line.
A progressive stack encourages women and traditionally marginalized groups speak before men, especially white men. This is something that has been in place since the beginning, it is necessary, and it is important.
“Step up, step back” was a common phrase of the first week, encouraging white men to acknowledge the privilege they have lived in their entire lives and to step back from continually speaking. This progressive stack has been inspiring and mind-boggling in its effectiveness.
This is what democracy looks like! (In Zimbabwe.)
http://biggovernment.com/publius/2011/10/07/occupywallstreets-racist-speech-rule-white-men-last/
Mind-boggling indeed!
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