It happened during Carter the awakening was caused by a prick, a thorn
in their side, if you will. Blue collar workers and the like were so discomforted
they had to look up and see where it was coming from. They voted to
eliminate the discomfort not because of some awakening or greater
understanding.
People, "the public", will work around what can be avoided and suck-it-up what can't be until neither suffices and the trespasses are too great; then they will expend the minimum of effort necessary to restore their comfort level.
Alinsky? Cloward and Piven? The above observation came perhaps from them, and today's versions -- OWS -- are using it to their advantage.