**** COMMUNITY ALERT ****
THE ISSUES OF RACISM AND UNEQUAL REPRESENTATION IN THE ORGANIZING OF OCCUPY HOUSTON

 HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. 

TODAY THE OCCUPY HOUSTON PARTICIPANTS ENDORSED THE PETITION AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY 

TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD.

 THERE WAS ALSO INCLUSION OF BLACK, LATINO AND WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN OCCUPY HOUSTON. 

IT IS A START IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE !!!!!!! 

YOUR LACK OF NOTICE OF RACISM IN FACT MEANS YOU ARE IN DENIAL OR RACIST YOURSELF.

HOUSTON IS 39% BLACK AND 39% LATINO. WE ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE 99% YET ONLY 2% REPRESENTED

IN OCCUPY HOUSTON.

AT THAT MEETING IN QUESTION THE ONLY BLACK WOMEN AND LATINO WOMEN

NOMINATED WERE BLOCKED ALL THOUGH THEY WERE THE MOST EXPERIENCED IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

AND MOBILIZING. WE WERE BLOCKED BY WHITE MALES AND DISRESPECTED AND CUT WHILE SPEAKING TIME

AND TIME AGAIN WHILE WHITES WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

WHEN ASKED HOW MANY AFRICAN AMERICAN

GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE MOBILIZING OF OCCUPY HOUSTON

THE ANSWER WAS ZERO.

The issue of police brutality and the death penalty are issues outside of race. They are also a side issue to why these protests are occurring. The issues of representation by other organizations is not about race either. No other organization should represent this organization or have priority over any other person trying to participate. The support from other organization can beneficial to both but not all the goals and interests may be supported by both. This could be over their main point of existence or just flat out disagreement even as common goals and interests exist. The issue of who was speaking has more to do with who was at the meetings than what the demographics of the general population are. I do not think the motivations behind support of this movement are racially charged for most participating. There is an wealth inequality which does disproportionately effects non-whites or immigrant families but it does effect whites as well and the reasons for the discrepancy include issues outside of race. Even those who are well off and selfish about what policy they endorse do have reason to be concerned for those have problems or are under represented. Everyone in the 99% should be concerned about the misrepresentation going on in our government though they might not feel the problem is one of race. The issues or calls for support do not need to be direct toward a particular race either as we all share in this interest. To direct them to any particular race would be racist.

I do not think its fair to accuse groups of racism or sexism due to a lack of participation though it is well documented that people have been discriminated against when dealing with issues of wealth, opportunity, or political participation. If you feel these groups are under represented I encourage you to inform people about why these protest are happening. Be aware people can only be represented by those who participate and not everyone feels they need to be represented by their race or geographic location.

Racism is the belief that there are inherent different traits in human racial groups which justify discrimination. The fact that you flat out ignored Stephen's comment, "I do not think its fair to accuse groups of racism or sexism due to a lack of participation…" shows you are blinded by your prejudices against white people and men. We are a demographic as well. If you feel Latinos and Blacks are not properly represented, why don't YOU take the initiative to go out and bring them to the general assemblies where I guarantee everyone will be welcomed warmly by the group. And WE don't operate on a quota system. We don't care what type of person shows up, as long as they are marching with us for the same reasons.   

Stephen, I think we are being trolled…