Digital networks have given people the ability to organize and mobilize. "We are the 99 percent" was a political slogan used alongside the Occupy Wall Street movement. The slogan came from a Tumblr blog that was launched by a 28-year-old New York activist. It illustrates that less than 99 percent of the U.S. population make less than $343,927 annually.
The blog served as a launching point for a social movement. People began submitting stories and using the slogan in a variety of ways. Even members of the one percent, who make more money than 99 percent of the population, would use the slogan "We are the 1 percent; we stand with the 99 percent," to show their support for higher taxes.
The blog itself says, "Who are we? Well, who are you? If you're reading this, there's a 99 percent chance that you're one of us."
Then it goes on to explain who makes up the 99 percent, versus the one percent:
"They are the 1 percent. They are the banks, the mortgage industry, the insurance industry. They are the important ones. They need help and get bailed out and are praised as job creators. We need help and get nothing and are called entitled. We live in a society made for them, not for us. It’s their world, not ours. If we’re lucky, they’ll let us work in it so long as we don’t question the extent of their charity.
"We are the 99 percent. We are everyone else. And we will no longer be silent. It’s time the 1 percent got to know us a little better. On Sept. 17, 2011, the 99 percent will converge on Wall Street to let the 1 percent know just how frustrated they are with living in a world made for someone else. Let us know why you’ll be there. Let us know how you are the 99 percent."
Because of social media, Occupy Wall Street had a venue for conversation. People were able to rally together because social media bridges a communication gap. In this case, the social media messages were centered around "us vs. them" themes, but it was effective in bringing together a group for a cause.
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