Friday, January 27th, 2012
10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Institute for Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, 3487 Peel [Workshop venue]
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Grande Bibliothèque auditorium, 475 Maisonneuve Est [Keynote and Panel venue]
In May 2011, renowned economist Joseph E. Stiglitz wrote an article titled
“Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%” in that month’s issue of
Vanity Fair. His message of extreme inequality in US society and the historical consequences resulting from the polarization of wealth in the hands of a few, resonated in the
Occupy protests that began in Wall Street early last fall. “We are the 99%” fast became the motto of the social movement that transgressed New York boundaries and evolved into a worldwide movement, with more than 80 countries and one thousand cities witnessing their own manifestation of protest camps in the months that followed.
Despite the phenomenal scope of civil society in the Occupy movement, Stiglitz’ warning that the 1% will only belatedly awaken to the importance of maintaining the welfare of the largest slice of the population will, in all likelihood, be realized. Nonetheless, many compelling issues have been borne from the protests: from the mainstream media’s initial disregard of the events to the communication of activists within the camps and the policing methods adopted by each city. Media@McGill will be hosting a free public event on Friday, January 27, 2012 to address many of the media, political and social themes that have transpired during the months-long Occupy protests.
