Quickie: The 99%

Just for funsies, I asked the freshmen in my 8am General Studies class what they thought about the Occupy movement. Most of them stirred in their self-satisfied slumber just long enough to convey, via blandly appalled stares and the occasional shaken head, that they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. (a good number of students in my other two sections were equally, which is to say, completely, unprepared to discuss the topic)

After one student offered up his awareness of “something about 99% vs. 1%” (a noble effort), I patiently explained the basic concepts behind the movement, brought the class ‘up to speed’ on recent events, more or less, and looked around the room, encouraging any kind of response.

One girl eyed me suspiciously before blooming ever so slightly with inspiration and then mumbling quietly.

“Sorry, what was that?” I asked. “Go ahead,” I smiled.

She blinked.

“You mean like ‘Goodfellas’?”

I blinked back.

“You mean, the mafia?”

She nodded. Solemnly.

“Well, no,” I responded respectfully, “I mean, it’s actually more about legal possession of wealth than illegal gains, but…”

I glanced around at the enlivened students as they huddled telepathically behind their fearless prophet. I cleared my throat.

“But you bring up a good point.”