On Thursday 8 August 2011 in Tottenham London
Mark Duggan was shot dead by
British police.
On Friday 9 August 2011 Mark Duggan’s family and friends, upset and angry at the behaviour of the police, held a peaceful protest.
Few could have failed to have seen something in the media of the looting, violence and arson which followed in many areas of London; escalating and spreading to other parts of the UK. Seemingly mindless destruction of local businesses as well as some private and government properties.
Members of the general public became fearful of entering streets which only hours before had been places of work and recreation. Nobody seemed exempt, even journalists reporting the events were attacked and equipment smashed or stolen. Many of us would have watched the heartbreaking image on TV of the injured young person robbed by those whom he believed to be helping him.
Emotions ran high, anger and revenge flooded social websites. Members of the public and various organisations gave their point of view and ways of reform. ‘Give the police more powers.’ ‘It’s the parents.’ ‘Must be a reaction to the ‘cuts’.’ ‘They are, the under privileged’ and an expression which could be right out of George Orwell’s 1984, ‘It’s The Underclass’.
Police stated it was ‘copycat’ behaviour and an element of that appears to be proven, judging by the ‘status’ of some of those arrested for looting. I doubt whether the looters themselves could give a definitive explanation of the motivation for their actions.
Various questions are posed. How long has this been brewing? Where was the government? Current and previous. How did this gang-culture youth develop? Who knew about it? Local councilors, social workers, police officers, teachers, GP’s - parents?
Though we in the UK have never experienced such blatant, collusive, violent behaviour to such a degree on our streets, we have had more than our share of football hooliganism and look at our lager-lout reputation worldwide. It certainly highlights our audacity in presuming we know what is best for other nations’ problems when we do not resolve our own.
Yes, I think it is a result of all the above and maybe, initially, ‘it is the parents’. Our family code informs our view of the world until we gain insight.
'Give me the child until he is seven and I’ll give you the man.' St. Francis Xavier
But we can only use the tools we possess. I feel it unfair and unhelpful simply to make harsh judgments on those who have not been provided with them or even been told where to look. Many of these young people have not been encouraged to study or plan for future employment, apart from the other culture of truancy inhibiting them from academic achievement.
Punishment alone will not suffice. David Cameron refers to a 'sick society'; I trust he will realise that we are all culpable. In group dynamics every person present plays a part, even if that is in keeping silent.
'The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.' Edmund Burke
Love and acceptance is the soil for the development of a stable, confident, human being. The child who knows it is loved and valued does not question his or her worthiness and abilities. An emotionally damaged child cannot learn, with the obvious repercussions.
Poverty of circumstance, yes but poverty of spirit, however we define that, is one of the biggest barriers to self-actualisation and progression; educationally and socially. We all need to be welcomed into this world, and encouraged to contribute to it.
Statistics show that much of the gang-culture in UK Urban areas ferments mainly in families with absent fathers; this includes those who remain in the family home but are never around to adequately 'father' their children. And of course these men are often products of similar circumstances. Though I would not highlight this as the only reason for social breakdown; fathers are needed. Their role in family is to provide challenge for their children; to teach about risk-taking and responsibility in a loving environment with clear limitations and consequences. Many of these families consist of people who have had no paid employment for generations; what example is that? If any child, male or female, does not receive these tools for life, then how can they foster them in their own children? If this is the case then it is for our society to ensure our parliamentary system takes on that responsibility where it can.
There is an encroaching unfair hierarchy in Britain.
When certain groups of people referred to as ‘the underclass’ take what is not theirs, invade others' property and deprive them of their hard earned cash, we call them Ferrell rats, evil. We call for their blood. Take their homes! Stop their benefits! We have to punish them for daring to go where they do not belong.
When certain groups of people referred to as ‘the underclass’ take what is not theirs, invade others' property and deprive them of their hard earned cash, we call them Ferrell rats, evil. We call for their blood. Take their homes! Stop their benefits! We have to punish them for daring to go where they do not belong.
Do we think that this 'underclass' does not notice when the government allows the prosperous to rip-off their fellow citizens, as in bankers for example? When the poorest, the so-called 'working classes' are made to pay for the irresponsibility of the elite? Do we think they did not notice that after the furore of the politician’s expenses scandal, when so many were involved that so few were convicted and most were let off with a slap on the wrist? Do we think that OUR poor who live in our urban areas with no jobs, no education and no hope of them; did not notice who was involved in, and who got away with what, during the 'phone-hacking' scandal. A hypocritical Cameron; a man who has no idea of what it means to have to do without, or struggle to make ends meet, who due to money and influence had the best education, and prospects; who instead of being grateful for his privileged position and vow to use his power to help the less privileged, is so eager to point the finger and him in bed with Murdoch and Co.
Corruption is swept under-the-carpet when it suits, usually by men in suits; experts in how to get away with 'blue murder'. Instead of confronting this criminal behaviour we turn-a-blind-eye, lick our wounds, somehow feeling justified at having been avenged in that two lads go to prison because they texted about a riot which did not happen.
'If we keep doing what we’re doing – we’ll keep getting what we’ve got.' David Thornburg
'Perfect Storm' The England Riots August 2011 Mini Documentary
'Perfect Storm' The England Riots August 2011 Mini Documentary
The most populous urban areas in the UK
Greater London Urban Area
• West Midlands Urban Area
• Greater Manchester Urban Area
• West Yorkshire Urban Area
• Greater Glasgow
• Tyneside
• Liverpool Urban Area
• Nottingham Urban Area
• Sheffield Urban Area
• Bristol Urban Area.
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