Are We the 99%?

The Occupy Movement, Feminism, and Intersectionality

Heather McKee Hurwitz

• Publisher: Temple University Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781439920220, 9781439920213
• eBook ISBN: 9781439920237
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Political Advocacy
• Index: Social Sciences

The protestors that comprised the Occupy Wall Street movement came from diverse backgrounds. But how were these activists—who sought radical social change through many ideologies—able to break down oppressions and obstacles within the movement? And in what ways did the movement perpetuate status-quo structures of inequality?  

Are We the 99%? is the first comprehensive feminist and intersectional analysis of the Occupy movement. Heather McKee Hurwitz considers how women, people of color, and genderqueer activists struggled to be heard and understood. Despite cries of "We are the 99%," signaling solidarity, certain groups were unwelcome or unable to participate. Moreover, problems with racism, sexism, and discrimination due to sexuality and class persisted within the movement.  

Using immersive first-hand accounts of activists' experiences, online communications, and media coverage of the movement, Hurwitz reveals lessons gleaned from the conflicts within the Occupy movement. She compares her findings to those of other contemporary protest movements—nationally and globally—so that future movements can avoid infighting and deploy an "intersectional imperative" to embrace both diversity and inclusivity.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction: The Intersectional Imperative
• 1. Are We the 99%? Conflict about Collective Identities
• 2. “Sorry for the Mess. New Paradigm Under Construction”: Inclusivity Frames in the Movement’s Media and Culture
• 3. Discriminatory Resistance: Gender and Race Dynamics in a Leaderless Movement
• 4. Women Occupying Wall Street: Mobilizing Feminism within Occupy
• Conclusion: Intersectionality Lessons for Mass Movements
• Methodological Appendix
• Notes
• References
• Index