These days, something is becoming popular on facebook. When you log on it, you may see something called “Join the Coffee Party Movement.” Now you may wonder, what is Coffee Party? Is it somewhere that provides free coffee? It is not likely to be this. Well then, maybe it has something to do with the famous Tea Party? In fact, yes. It is started by a Korean American, Annabel Park, and it is meant to be the alternative of Tea Party, which is not the historical term but currently an organization acting against high taxes.
So I found this article on The New York Times, and it explains the whole thing thoroughly. By giving the data, there were 40,000 people signed up until March 1, in the afternoon, which seems not really significant, but actually, the number grew quickly: there were 11,000 people signed up just one morning. Then the author quotes form the founder, Ms. Park, to show how surprised she is by the popularity. The author explains their slogan, which is “wake up and stand up,” by using the Party’s mission statement that emphasizes the importance of communicating with government. After introducing background information, the author turns to the most recent activity they are planning, which is a nationwide coffee house on March 13, where people can sit down and discuss their concerns, then let the government hear their voice. Also, they are going to hold a convention during the summer in Midwest.
People made joke about the name of the Party and wonder why it is not other names instead of “Coffee Party.” Ms. Park argues that its name and Tea Party both agree on same things which symbolizes “like a desire for fiscal responsibility and a frustration with Congress.” They are not the opposite of Tea Party; in fact, in the end, they might consider combining their efforts. Park then states that, their purpose was not to fight against government like an “ultimate fighting secession,” but to teach people to learn to cooperate. This, according to her, is the American way to solve the problem. Government is people’s representative, and people should “act like boss” towards it.
The article does not contain the author’s opinion. It is mainly about what the founder of Coffee Party thinks. In my perspective, I agree with Park’s views about the government’s function, and also it is people’s responsibility to communicate with the governors, to convey their voice. The Coffee Party is a very practical idea. Let’s wish them a great success.
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