It's about time we gave credit to the "dirty hippies." While we're sitting behind the computer critiquing their appearance, they are the ones who are making shit happen.

TheReasonator · 7 months

Everyone who jumped on the bandwagon telling them to wear polo shirts and khakis in order to be taken seriously needs to seriously go fuck themselves.

I think the people suggesting that the protesters dress less casually are the ones who support them and want them to succeed, so they're giving them advice. It's a tip. It could very much help. They're not trying to be dicks about it.

crapshot · 7 months

Millions of protesters didn't stop the Iraq war from happening.

gbimmer · 7 months

Making what happen?

JessGold412 · 7 months

I live in NYC, and have seen the protesters. There are plenty of people in addition to these "hippies." College students, elderly men and women. People are only paying attention to the people that they can look down on and justify it to themselves. This is a diverse group of people, and while many of them fit into this "hippie" category, they do not make up the entirety of the group. And I agree, these people are actually trying to make a change, while we sit back and judge them from behind a computer screen.

GnarltonBanks · 7 months

Your revolution is over, Mr. Lebowski. Condolences. The bums lost. My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose!

urmyheartBeatStopR · 7 months

Why do people hate on hippies anyway?

I see em as spiritual, love spreading, pot smoking, and very chill people. Plus those VW Microbuses are awesome looking.

I don't believe I ever see them trying to pass law against our civil rights or hating on a minority group. Or any of those sort of hate things.

theungod · 7 months

When you've got less to lose it's easier to protest.

novaunhinged · 7 months

"making shit happen"

Wait did something happen?

ifyourheadexplodes · 7 months

What exactly have "hippies" ever accomplished in this country?

soulcakeduck · 7 months

What exactly are they making happen? This is not adversarial, as I am glad for their efforts, but I (like many) think the effectiveness is diminished by the lack of a common goal.

I think protests were influential in ending the Vietnam War, and in the Civil Rights movement. I think these protests will successfully bring a lot of people together, and we already see influential unions voicing support for OWS. But will it have a legislative impact?

I suspect that the main impact will be an electoral one: we're motivating a large voting bloc, but I don't think we're having a big influence on our legislators (yet). But if that means we're just stuck voting everyone out of office, then we're about as effective as the Tea Party (which is not insignificant, but): I don't think the newly elected legislators will be different enough to get the changes most are hoping for.

tob_krean · 7 months

Credit should be given to everyone who is there, but I agree with your sentiment about prejudice.

The movement will be more effective, like it was in Egypt, when you have people of all walks of life there. So its not that hippies should wear suits, its that hippies, and blue collar workers, and people in suits who are in the 99% can and should stand together to increase an equitable society.

With that said, by all means give them credit for getting the ball rolling.

People may disagree with the message or the tactics, but those who are taking potshots at either the OWS protesters or the 99% posters are anonymous cowards.

kedziematthews · 7 months

so what is it they're actually doing? what is tangibly being done? 'cause so far all i'm seeing is another protest that will be forgotten in a year.

GOPWN · 7 months

I'm dying to know how they are "making shit happen".

rubypeak · 7 months

These people are far more likely to shake things up and ultimately cause a positive change than our hopeless representatives in their five-hundred dollar suits are. Our govt. no longer has the "concent of the governed," with an 18% approval. Protestors in the streets is the logical outgrowth of the last decade, but it's logical to assume that at no point are the protestors likely to smell good.

BringYourVoice · 7 months

Every time you say "I'm powerless. Nothing I do matters." You lose before you even started.

CashRorschach · 7 months

Gee, it sure is sad that everyone with the answers to everything is at home commenting on the internet.

manyverse · 7 months

Thanks, dirty hippies!

2fingers · 7 months

As one of the dirty hippies actually sleeping in a park (not NYC but another modest 5 day old occupation), there's really no need to tell anyone to fuck off. From what I saw people were just trying make helpful suggestions about improving public perception. If someone wants to put on a suit so the people that come by and have no idea what we're doing there will stop asking if we're homeless, that's fine. If not, no big deal either. It seems to me that you're upset about the negative perception of hippy-types, but channeling that anger at those who suggested ways to get around that negative perception.

Formuler261 · 7 months

The thing is that these people should be worried about their image and the image that they are presenting to the media. During the Civil Rights movement, one of King's biggest parts of his protest was 'peaceful' protest. Why? What was the point of peaceful protest? It was all about media manipulation. People at home who aren't really connected to or worrying about the civil rights movement saw on the news men, women, and children being brutalized by the cops, but King made it clear to his protesters that was to be no aggression from them towards the cops. This makes the people think at home, " really, that's whats happening? I really guess things are a bit out of hand.

Yes, I will credit these individuals for rallying, and trying to take action. I really wish I could be occupying Wall Street myself. You just need to realize that image is very powerful.

Wadka · 7 months

No I don't, because nothing is actually happening.

[deleted] · 7 months

Voice of reason? Are you fucking kidding me? Did you read that shitty thing they called a "declaration"?

bonedbynature · 7 months

I wouldn't say OWS is "making things happen". What exactly are they expecting to get done? I agree with them as much as most of you do regarding the injustice of the division of wealth in the US. But a list of demands including "free college education" and trillions of dollars of increased spending on things like "ecological restoration", how is anyone with the slightest idea of the state of our economy going to take them seriously? Changes like this would take years, decades, to realize. Before any sort of ecological or social action can take place, we need to decrease our dependence on foreign products and services (which is the part of OWS I whole heartedly agree with) and get ourselves out of debt. Sorry active protestors, but if you're looking for immediate change you're going to be on the streets for a long ass time.

Fookananer · 7 months

it's about to get real cold in NY... I cant imagine them lasting much longer.

Halbruder · 7 months

It doesn't matter what you TRY to do. It's all about results. None so far.

fswizz · 7 months

So on the frontpage we have one story bitching about how the mainstream media isn't taking OWS seriously because of how some participants dress and look, and then this about how anyone that says the protesters should look respectable should "go fuck themselves."

This is about the level of consistency I've come to expect from this movement.

j1zzfist · 7 months

I would cast my vote on this if it weren't at 420 karma

BulbousAlsoTapered · 7 months

Not only will the revolution not be televized, it will also not have a dress code.

The current crop of demonstrators will get pepper-sprayed and get their heads beaten in, eventually the "respectable" people in suits will come in, water down the principles, and take credit. Very little will change.

If you don't like that scenario, get out in the streets yourself.

affluenza · 7 months

No no no no. Don't you see. If you want to make the world a better place you absolutely MUST wear POLOS and KHAKIS!!!

/sarcasm

truesound · 7 months

I concur. Almost completely. The part where we disagree is this; I am already on your side. So, it's not me that you need to impress. It is those who would participate if they thought the movement was taking itself at least seriously enough to put up a more "professional" front. Not "professional" by my definition, but by theirs.

tEnPoInTs · 7 months

Speak for yourself. I have a full time software engineering job, but I went to my local Occupy movement (Baltimore) two nights ago, and participated in the general assemblies, and I am helping them out with some things, and this weekend I'm going down to DC to check out the new one and see how I can help there when not working.

edisei · 7 months

Let's also break down what we're calling "dirty hippies." Homeless folk, crust punks, peaceniks, hipsters, unionizers, et al. could all fall under the category. What this is really saying is "Your lifestyle is not acceptable, change it so that we can all achieve these goals." Fuck your goals as they are not my goals, and OWS is not about having a unified goal of purpose. The outside media doesn't give a shit about OWS anyway, and people aren't being taken seriously yet; so why the fuck would you give it up?

This isn't about taking concessions and trying to be "effective." An occupation (as we're sadly calling it but w/e) is about transforming the use and purpose of a space.

joanjourne142 · 7 months

OWS, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I turned 64 a week ago. I protested the Vietnam war in the 60's . . dear god, was it really 50 years ago? Change is slow, but don't give up! Those people who say the OWS protestors don't know why they're there and have no clear demands, are exposing their own ignorance. The whole world knows why they're there! Do some research, for pity's sake! These are intelligent, articulate, serious people. These are our young people, fighting greed & war & brutality, and I am so proud of them! Thank you Wisconsin, thank you Egypt, thank you OWS, from an old "dirty hippie". OWS, you've make me proud to be an American again.

mayorHB · 7 months

never mind that the list of demands is laughably stupid?

redworm · 7 months

They're not making shit happen. Go fuck yourself for suggesting that a valid piece of advice is a reason for hostility. Dirty hippies are not the voice of reason, they're just a loud annoyance. People who protest with logic, reason and who can connect with the public are the ones that make shit happen. Dirty hippies just bitch and moan about shit they don't understand then complain when they don't get their way. Dirty hippies deserve a grand total of zero of my respect.

Start organizing a real protest instead of retarded drum circles. They accomplish nothing.

CndConnection · 7 months

"he bandwagon telling them to wear polo shirts and khakis in order to be taken seriously needs to seriously go fuck themselves."

No OP, fuck YOU

The black civil rights movement won one of the most important social movement battles of all time wearing their sunday best.

ShamAbram · 7 months

What are they making shit happen? They're knitting sleeping bags in order to protest...capitalism? That's the hippiest thing I've ever heard.

hellointernet81 · 7 months

Making what happen.

elh0mbre · 7 months

Did I miss something?

What shit did they make happen, other than wasting police resources?

ProfessorMystery · 7 months

They're the reason what is happening?

jitterbean · 7 months

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits, the rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They are not fond of rules, and have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify them or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

[deleted] · 7 months

Has anyone seen the episode of South Park called "Die Hippie, Die!"?

microcontrolled · 7 months

What have they done exactly? Help me to understand just what Occupy Wall Street has accomplished other than getting some media attention.

AcademicLions · 7 months

How asinine. The people who are saying they should try to be more professional aren't saying that because they don't think they look good. They're saying that because it's more pragmatic than running around like dumbasses. If there's one thing you need to know about the majority of the American populace, it's that they do not like what they do not understand. And I can assure they do not understand alternative-looking people. If you're so immature you don't think it makes sense to sacrifice an individualist appearance for political change, then you've no place to spout such affected bullshit.

crackyJsquirrel · 7 months

I hate people who think the worth of a person is in how nice his/her suit looks. Wear the uniform or you are not valid? Fuck off.

dogsent · 7 months

The guy in Tunisia was street vendor by the name of Mohamed Bouazizi, who burned himself to death to protest harassment by authorities. He didn't look like a "dirty hippie". He just looked like a regular guy. That's why so many people could empathize with him. Unemployment among young workers was over 30%. Mohamed Bouazizi was trying to earn a living as a street vendor, like far too many others. People could related to him and his despair. That's what sparked massive revolts.

swander42 · 7 months

You gotta be comfortable when stickin it to the man. Plus I would imagine once you have slept a few nights in a park it doesn't really matter what you are wearing.

[deleted] · 7 months

Where can we find information on any effect OWS has had on wall street or government policy? Google isn't helping me for some reason.

Korr123 · 7 months

It's not their appearance that makes the protest seem less credible(not that is actually less credible because of that.) It's the fact that the hippies come in and blab retarded shit to the media about how capitalism is bad and then have nothing intelligent to say to back it up, and then the media manipulates those clips as much as they can to make it look even worse than it already was (which was already terribad.) Also, I don't get the point of nudity, not that I'm complaining, but it does kind of distort the message overall.

Lears_Fool · 7 months

If history is our guide, in twenty years from now these dirty hippies will be executives in the corporations they once protested. Then it will be their turn to say, "I got mine. Fuck you! Every crumb for himself."

TacoGhost · 7 months

I'll stop telling them to wear nicer clothes when they stop bitching about not being taken seriously based on their looks.

Uncle_Bill · 7 months

What exactly have they accomplished? I don't seem remember any laws changed..

They are getting attention, like any attenion whore

TheLoveTin · 7 months

When something 'happens' I will give them credit.

maggiemae1 · 7 months

Yeah mannn! gettin high all day and listening to music and saving the world and stuff... righteouss

Dark1000 · 7 months

There aren't really many "hippies" left anymore. Hipsters is the dominant species nowadays. As far as I can tell, the hippie contingent at OWS is not particularly significant. You're buying into the narrative that they are just a bunch of hippies when the vast majority of people protesting aren't hippies at all.

koshkakartoshka · 7 months

The problem with dirty hippies is that they protest for the sake of protesting as often as not, so by the time an important issue rolls around nobody fucking cares.

The_sinking_anus · 7 months

Upvote for sense.

tombrokejaw · 7 months

If I remember correctly, the words "be the change you want to see in the world" were spoken by none other than Gandhi himself. This applies to all those who wish to see change in the fashion sense of the 'Modern American dissenter'.

mazurtommy · 7 months

complaining about the dirty hippies..... is it the 90's again?!?!!?

youdontsaythat · 7 months

People giving such a shit about appearances over substance is what got us in this hellacious mess of debt man!

kynetik · 7 months

I'm extremely grateful for all the dirty hippies dedicating themselves to the protests. As a college kid in Wisconsin with a job and rent to pay, I couldn't break away from my obligations and stand up for what I believe is a monumentally important cause, but I'm glad that there are people my age who aren't bound by conventional responsibility, people who can pick up and move to represent a largely ignored demographic of politically frustrated young people.

The protests might not be efficacious, but they're as good as we can give in these terrifying times without lowering ourselves to the despicable level of violence of our opponents.

decorral · 7 months

Have you ever seen pictures of the Freedom Riders? They all wore suits and looked way more badass than any chump with dreads and a fucking poncho. On top of that, there is the irrefutable fact that Freedom Riders accomplished more (and by more I mean fucking Civil Rights in case someone isn't sure what I'm referring to) than any hippy in the 60's ever did. So yeah, looking clean has its benefits.

enjoyablycrazy · 7 months

it's not hippies anymore. it's fedora wearing neckbeards who have no idea what they're even doing there.

[deleted] · 7 months

Finally someone tell the haters on reddit how it is. Some people spend thier clothes money on things made of hemp because its fuckin durable and last a long fuckin time. ou shouldn't judge people how they dress. If anything the more you spend the more you waste.

ross25m · 7 months

"These "dirty hippies" deserve more respect for having the courage to do what others are too scared to do"

i am not scared nor do i lack the courage i just work a full time job selling insurance bartend at night and work another part time job on the weekends lets get real there is work out there lets roll up our sleeves america

AnnArchist · 7 months

well they haven't caused anything to happen yet.

masedizzle · 7 months

Last time I checked the dirty hippies didn't stop the escalation of the Vietnam War, or the Iraq war just a scant 10 years ago. I'm sitting behind a computer because well.... I'm at work. I'm fortunate enough to have a job. Easy to protest when you don't have to worry about losing a job you don't have.

[deleted] · 7 months

The reason that what is happening? No change is being enacted. They don't have jobs and they want to feel important. So far they have done no one any favours, other than costing NYC plenty of money. Give any example of "dirty hippies" accomplishing something outside of getting attention for themselves.

ex_ample · 7 months

I always thought the "Khakis and Polos" idea was completely ridiculous. A suit is a good idea. Wearing a suit makes you look serious. Wearing Khakis and Polos just makes you look like a douchebag.

true_grit · 7 months

What? Are you implying my precious upvotes aren't changing anything out there?!

Seriously It has been mentioned before: Please suit up! People will take you more seriously, if you are clothed like your going on a date/job interview/family celebration. You shouldn't change your unique looks but it is important to observers that they can identify with you - already on the first glance!

Egaugnal · 7 months

Made a post bout this a bit ago, buried as expected, glad you're getting some upvotes. I seriously do not understand all the hate and criticism toward the people who started and help maintain the movement. How can you respect and support a protest while at the same time insulting the protesters for not adhering to your concept of decency or professionalism or whatever?

Must feel good to be sitting at your computer in khakis and a polo. I am guessing a fair amount of the hostility also comes from the tacky teeshirt sweaty hoody ill fitting cargo pants crowd.

orourkebr · 7 months

They haven't made any shit happen, sorry.

someish · 7 months

What exactly are they making happen?

inchesfromdead · 7 months

I don't see anything happening to be perfectly honest. This resembles an ill formed facebook status update.

alfx · 7 months

Making what shit happen? Most people I have talked to IRL think of them as a joke and don't even know what they are trying to accomplish. Get rid of the drum circle shit and white person dread locks and maybe people will pay attention.

7 months

[deleted]

MagCynic · 7 months

What exactly are their plans for "making shit happen"? How does walking up and done a sidewalk in New York City cause Congress to craft and pass a bill that satisfies whatever it is they are protesting for?

Tinkboy98 · 7 months

what, exactly, have they caused to happen?

Nothing yet.

Godabed · 7 months

i'm not dirty i shower daily.....

danimal2011 · 7 months

God damn HIPPIES! The only time I'll actually condone the police using fire hoses as crowd control

xafimrev · 7 months

They are not "making" anything happen. People like to say this and when you question them on it it is always some vague derpage about "awakening the masses"

CoyotePeyote · 7 months

thank you for posting this. That "polos and khakis" post was disgusting

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