The Occupy Wall Street protests have been raging in lower Manhattan, bringing together a diverse group that has qualms with Wall Street practices and the effect they have had on the economy.

To be sure, Wall Street has always been seen by the mainstream as an elitist institution. In the late 20^th century and into the 2000s, the purported democratization of the markets--via pensions, mutual and direct participation via low cost brokers--served to align the interests of Main Street and Wall Street--but not completely. That unsteady union was certainly undermined by the financial crisis of 2008 and the near-double dip we're experience now.

On Wall Street, the protestors are seen as motley group of professional hippies, misguided youth and generic unthinking left-wingers. Others would characterize them much more charitably. While this protest--which gained added visibility due to an unfortunate pepper gas incident--will likely not amount to any real change, it perhaps would be wise not to dismiss the event completely. The fact is that the disconnect between the haves and have nots in America is as stark as ever right now. Wall Street remains a bastion of incredible wealth, even as poverty soars to new levels in much of the rest of the country.

This is a combustible mix. It would behoove Wall Street--from more than a PR angle--to address this situation in ways large and small. The anger on the streets is real. Some would argue that Wall Street has no moral obligation other than to make money--that's how their version of capitalism works--but there are plenty of others in the industry who do good every day with contributions, volunteer work and child-rearing. Wall Street remains an amazing collection of talent and brains, and thinking more about the larger world from a humanitarian perspective would be good for all. The returns on this efforts would be at least positive.

For more:
- here's a New York Times look at the protests, which appeared on the front page, a coup in itself for the protesters.

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