London Riots - August 2011

London is in serious state of unrest. What initially was a reaction to the shooting of Mark Duggan has escalated into something much bigger. The shooting of Mark Duggan, proved to be the catalyst but is by no means, the real cause of  the outbreak of violence in London. This is a really complex issue with many angles which need to be considered. What are the real causees of this violence. Poverty, social inequality and lack of opportunities are all contributing factors. 


This is reflected in the comments by a 26-year-old black man, who gave his name only as Jason. He said the riot was "a cry for help."
"I have no job, no prospects, no anything. Then they wonder why there's crime," he said, adding he had been unemployed since he left school.


But then there is the violence, directed at innocent communities, local traders and residents. This is completely abhorrent and unacceptable. To physically harm another, is a most deplorable violation of an individual right's. No-one deserves, or should be exposed to this level of behaviour in any civilised society. Times are tough enough without having the sanctity of your local community, torn apart and defaced or having your personal right to safety violated. These people are angry at the government and yet innocent people are the ones who will feel the real effects of the damage done. The government will not feel the affects, it's the local communities which will suffer. 


 If anything, although I understand the anger and frustration which has motivated this response, It has achieved nothing. You have just given the government a green light, to harass and impose more restrictions on already well entrenched stereotypes, as well as further justifying the restriction of civil liberties. Further still you have alienated yourself from the public. Their pent up anger and frustration will now be wielded by the media and government alike and directed full force at you. It's a vicious cycle of hate, judgement, bitterness and social fragmentation. 


The large majority of the public who accept and make the best of things on the surface, deep down are also boiling with dissent. They will now feel fully justified in directing all their outrage at the perpetrators. What saddens me here, is the great rift this causes, the isolation, mistrust and anger that will grow and seep even further into the heart of our society.


The main arbitrators of the damage caused in London and now the Midlands, Birmingham and other locations across England are youths. What makes youths different from adults? Youths have not yet fully matured and are dealing with poverty, social immobility. They will feel restricted, helpless, hemmed in. Their outlook maybe futile. What do people do when they feel helpless, when they can change nothing, when their lives are restricted and when they have lost hope of a better future.


Their resentment builds, the anger grows and is directed at those who oppress them. This is instinctive behaviour, we see it in the animal kingdom and let us not elevate ourselves too much here, we are still animals. Some more so than others. If  basic needs are not met, we descend into a primal state of being, we regress, from an intellectual and reasoned being, to something much wilder, raw and primitive. I am not championing or defending, the action of the rioters, or the way in which they have chosen to express their dissent. But I do understand and even sympathize to an extent. When people reach a state of hopelessness, nothing matters, they no longer care, because they believe it can't get any worse than it already is.


 It is easy to sit, in leather arm-chairs, drinking tea and discussing economic strategy or politics and cuts behind a closed gate. So far removed from the reality of the social endemic that is rife in Britain today. Job losses, Political bungles, and a lack of power in being able to influence or change the environment in which one lives is the real problem. It is easy to condemn those less fortunate, privilaged or educated than yourselves, for how can they argue back?. It is also very convenient to hide within an organisation or institution, where no one individual is held accountable. It is easy to condemn from within the ranks of a faceless institution, you have the srength of anonymity, officialism, and giant P.R machines to protect you. Bungling mishaps and ulterior motives are hidden inside often questionable, but rationally constructed proposals.  


The riots have become more organized in structure with each passing day. Rioters have been communicating through blackberry's messaging service, BBM. Police have demanded that Blackberry turn over all details of communications. Rioters have responded to this, they hacked into Blackberry's website and left a message in response to BBM's decision to work with the police. Like all campaigns, motivational material has been provided as a support to rioters in the aftermath of the attacks. 


In an interview with the BBC Darcus Howe shared his views on the rioting in England. I am inclined to agree with his perception of the motivation behind the attacks. He was rudely interrupted by the interviewer and her questions were so obviously leading and manipulative. Why did they pick a black individual to interview, was it to demonstrate the fair and unbiased way in which the BBC covers this topic? I'l leave you to formulate your own opinion. Another factor to consider here would be the impending police cuts due to be implemented in 2012, see a connection? No, of course not. Oh, one more thing, where is our government? Oh that's right, on holiday. having a well deserved rest after deciding how to cut public services and support to those who need it most in society. Tough job, but someone has to do it.