"My parents don’t know that I know we’re the 99%."

[phantom power]

jesus christ :(

My name is Allison, I’m a 13 year old 8th grader. I only get a few hours of sleep at night, but I don’t tell my parents because they don’t need to know that I need sleeping pills. I’ve been showing symptoms of Schizophrenia but we can’t afford for me to go see a doctor about it. My parents get really scared when they have to pay the morage because it really cuts down on our money. I’ve stopped eating alot so there’s more food for everyone else.

My parents don’t know that I know we’re the 99%.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/empathy-and-99-percent-by-david-atkins.html

[Odin2005]

1. "I’ve been showing symptoms of Schizophrenia but we can’t afford for me to go see a doctor about it"

:cry:

[supernova]

2. Holy Hell

Bless this child.

:cry:

I hope that she can find the help she needs, at least to get evaluated. It's sickening what's happening to our fellow human beings.

[lsewpershad]

3. Thanks repukes.

[shireen]

4. reading those comments, very sad

it should be required reading for everyone in Congress and the Executive Office

[Tsiyu]

5. Telling, when a 13-year-old "gets it"

but the media and their corporate overlords don't.

The next generation is smarter than those ass-kissing generations before it. Hopefully the kids will dismantle our corrupt, evil system and create something better for all of our nation.

[Hydra]

6. We will, once everyone else gets out of the way

There's a funny thing about my generation. We don't care what worked for everyone else. You could shorthand that into "lazy," or "cynical" if you'd like.

We just don't see the value of traditionally respected concepts like racism, sexism, elitism, greed, hatred, demagoguery, and other conservative "values."

These are the last gasps of dinosaurs like Cheney and the wannabes they spawned, and the product of the fears they engendered over their ridiculously long reign of stupid...but as long as there are people willing to carry their torch, and people willing to fight to keep them in place, we simply wait, knowing it can't last forever.

After all, nothing does.

[glowing]

8. You only throw off the notions of differences because of the work

done before you to normalize and embrace each other's differences. If there wasn't a Civil Rights era, you wouldn't be going to school with mixed ethnicities. If there wasn't a women's movement, your equality may still be dormant. If there wasn't a push by the GLBT community, you children would still be in the dark. AND there are still problems; still issues to resolve. There are those who are working furiously to take back the rights people have worked and died for in some cases. Its wonderful to see that the youth are growing up in a more tolerant world, but don't forget their are still children being so bullied they are committing suicide... The world is not perfect and you must always stay vigilant for those who wish to take your freedom away. You can't lump everyone together like all old people are bad and youth are so super new and cool and hip to it all. There are many in the older generations that fought so you could see the world as it is today. Don't forget you can learn from each other in each "age" category and work to make the world a better, safer, more tolerant place.

The next generations will erase the borders... just watch. Nationalism is a division as well and don't forget that.

[Hydra]

14. I don't throw off divisions because of what came before

I got my doses of racism, sexism, homophobia, nationalism and demagoguery in school and in church.

But I see a funny thing in my peers...a strange "what's wrong with you people" reflex that I don't see in the previous generations. My generation doesn't call me a "fag" with great authority in their voices. The previous gens do, though, without bothering to ask. I spoke to a conservative raised friend of mine who still has the indoctrination, and he and I had a funny discussion about how sex role and sexual preference is no big deal.

I'm not complaining about what you guys did, so much as what you are doing NOW though. I've been a protester, a gadfly and recruiter for 10 years now, and all I've heard from the people who should have been on our side is "your ways are too radical" "You don't know what you are talking about" and "leave it to the 'adults'."

The lack of progress can be directly traced to too many people desiring to keep our current system. IMO, it's not salvageable, and the evidence is getting more clear every day that it is so.

For that, I can wait. I used to think we needed to do it now, and we were running out of time...but I can't make more people open their minds.

I can only dare them to.

[glowing]

17. I'm 32... I just recognize the people who came before us... They do

have wisdom that is smart to listen to... They also laid the ground work for your mind and my mind to say, "who cares?" when it comes to sexual orientation or who's in love with who. We have a range of mixed friends and don't feel odd about it.. but racism, sexism, and all those other isms are still well and alive.... I think the Teabaggers gave a really good glimpse to the youth of what was the "normal" before they were born. Shocking the hate and violence.

I think its great that more youth have benefited from the work of the movements before there's. I agree, the system doesn't work. People and their contributions are more important to moving forward as a society, rather than doing a job that pays well and has benefits, but really does little to contribute to the bettering of society... And many of those jobs are helping to hold up the systems that don't work and are unsustainable. I'm glad the youth of the world are recognizing the strength in unity and the similarity in their dreams and aspirations, and embrace the differences of cultures as a strength in some cases or a call out to what is wrong (like keeping women down and out).

I'm agreeing with you for the most part.. Just not willing to throw those who came before off the or under the bus.

[Hydra]

18. *laughs*

Those of us who are doing the work STARTED under the bus. It's the people on the bus insisting that the bus needs to keep running that are the problem.

The problem with 'isms in general is that it automatically creates divisions. Ironically, your desire to protect an entire group is a form of reverse-ism. I admit that I'm acidic lately, but it's because I hear people asking "Why are they occupying Wall street?" "Why are people rocking the boat?" "Why can't we all just bow down and be quiet?"

The people doing it are the people on the left who should know better. My mother was a protester during the Vietnam War and knew how all of this worked. She's now applauding Obama's assassination programs and asking why they haven't done the same to Julian Assange.

Credit where it's due, and criticism where it's required.

[glowing]

19. I guess because I know older people who say the same as we do.

They are the one's I'm not throwing under the bus. Those applauding assassination or saying to quiet down are not the one's I'm speaking about... Just remember, the elderly are scared that the entire system they played within is crashing and that the younger generation will forget that they need things like a decent retirement and medical care. I would be scared of people saying "Fuck you old people"... Not exactly how you get 99% on board to the cause. I get your frustration. It doesn't make sense to keep the current way of business alive.. Its just wrong on so many levels.

[Hydra]

20. It's only going to be 10%

It's never more than that get strongly behind the concept. That's one of the reasons I'm excited about Occupy Wall St. Big things happen when a few people start a movement and it gets noticed and approved of.

That is, of course, if the people I mentioned before don't get in the way, muddle the message, and blunt the effect out of unfounded fears.

Hint: I've already seen it happen.

[Merlot]

10. Because the hippies respected those values that you don't?

"The value of traditionally respected concepts like racism, sexism, elitism, greed, hatred, demagoguery, and other conservative "values."

Like you're the first generation that ever thought like this? No, you're not. But you're buying into another divisive tactic: agism. Us vs (old) them. And there are a lot of great people who came before you that you have built your beliefs upon, whether you know it or not.

Also, sorry to tell you this, but someday chenny will be gone, but have you seen his daughter? She'll take his place, and her spawn just might take her place. There will ALWAYS be people who want to control and destroy. Don't think they will make it easy for you when they "die off." The old were young once too, and they did not think as you do.

[Hydra]

13. I covered that

But for more than 10 years I've fought the good fight...and the biggest opponents I've had have been the people who were supposedly on the same side.

More time

More patience

Trust the system

We know what we're doing

You kids don't understand how complicated it all is

Voting works

etc.

Could be because I'm a looney lefty...or it could be because people still have investments in a system that shouldn't even exist.

[Odin2005]

7. KICK for the afternoon crowd!

[AverageJoe90]

9. Poor Allison.

I do hope she received some medical attention soon, and bless her brave heart for speaking out like this.

[loyalsister]

11. I’ve been showing symptoms of Schizophrenia

One symptom that seems to be missing is the deficit in self awareness. This is literary at best. Fictional hyperbole to gain sympathy at worst.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

16. EXACTLY my first thought.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. heart breaking

[emcguffie]

15. There is something that could be done to help families like hers, and mine.

Isn't there some way they can get healthcare for their daughter? Maybe she doesn't realize that there is a way, and they don't know what she's going through?