Rebels and Messiahs: 10 Spiritual Ancestors for Occupy Wall Street
Moderator
Published: Monday 7 November 2011
“Women were not encouraged to think independently, much less to form their own communities or movements. But the so-called Lowell Mill Girls did all three.”

We started to make a list of people throughout history who might be considered Occupy Wall Street's spiritual forefathers and mothers, but it got so long it felt like the album cover for Sgt. Pepper. Remember all those faces? So with great difficulty the list has been narrowed down to ten. There are rebels, organizers, poets, a conservative icon, and a surprise entry or two.

Each reflects some part of the heart, soul, and spirit of the movement - at least as I understand it. If others feel differently, hopefully they'll create their own list.

1. William Blake

He was pretty obscure in the 18th and 19th centuries, while he was alive. Poet, painter, mystic, troublemaker, what Blake valued couldn't be purchased in the marketplace:

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