Character Quote by Paul Krugman
“Now, it’s true that some of the protesters are oddly dressed or have silly-sounding slogans, which is inevitable given the open character of the events. But so what? I, at least, am a lot more offended by the sight of exquisitely tailored plutocrats, who owe their continued wealth to government guarantees, whining that President Obama has said mean things about them than I am by the sight of ragtag young people denouncing consumerism.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion column, New York Times, 2009
Superficial protest aesthetics distract from deeper systemic critiques; the real issue is elite privilege and policy.
In simple terms: Focus on substance over style in protests.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond appearances to underlying power structures.
Themes
politics
inequality
media
activism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- news commentary
- public demonstrations
- policy debates
- social media
- academic analysis
Key Concepts
Economic policy
social justice
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How do visual symbols affect protest impact?
- What role should media play in framing protests?
A Different Perspective
Style can obscure message, but also attract attention.
![“They [President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton] have said that everybody should root for the success of President-Elect [Donald] Trump, but what about - those are the protesters protesting President-Elect Trump.” quote by George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/707/george-stephanopoulos-7418_barack_they-president-barack-obama-and-hillary_389210.jpg)
