So now the great crackdown has begun. And those responsible for the recent spate of rioting in the UK, and who the police were able to catch, are now due to face justice. And rightly so as events of recent days are truly shocking. However, those caught will only ever represent a tiny minority of those responsible. The true victims will never receive recompense and no doubt the government will laud praise onto each other for having saved the day. Really?
True, many possibly most of the individuals involved in recent rioting are opportunists. And these individuals are the greatest losers as they have discarded a future of hope for a handful of material goods and I have little sympathy for them. I do believe in accountability for actions where it is appropriate, and privileged opportunists deserve little sympathy. However, I expect that those who initiated the rioting in the first place are not just opportunists. They are the disillusioned, discarded and disenfranchised fraction of society; an ever growing proportion in our increasingly economically-disparate society. And I suspect that the rioting stemmed from pure angst, rage and frustration. Years of oppression have resulted in a smoldering rage which festered like cancer, fed by economic disparity and privation.
Which leads to my greatest fear. That recent events will be viewed solely as 'wanton criminality'. And what exactly does that mean other than our leaders have no clue about the cause(s) or appropriate solutions other than blunt reactive measures which will likely only inflame the situation; hardly a comforting thought! For those most driven by angst and frustration are those at the very bottom of society. Educated by the dregs of a state system disinterested in equality; the limited education on offer a poor strategy designed to delay release into society of these unfortunates prior to working age. Housed in cramped conditions, a melange of angst, distrust and disillusionment. Where poverty is rife and food, shelter, clothes and even shoes remain in limited supply. These unfortunates have little to hope for, and less to care about. So viewed in this light, perhaps the threat of imprisonment isn't such a bad option. Three square meals a day, housing in an environment where minimum space requirements are imposed (a luxury not ensured by private accommodation) and an opportunity for state sponsored education. And to assist in the rehabilitation, localisation close to the family home, and likely in association with other similar unfortunates. Food, shelter, clothes and buddies; quite possibly considerably better than what is on offer in impoverished communities suffering from privation. And in short, a breeding pool for further angst, frustration and disillusionment.
This collective rage should be viewed as angst, but also a cry for help. Although these individuals are responsible for significant destruction, if there is to be any hope for the future, it is imperative that those most responsible for starting the riots play a role in the rebuilding process. Exchange the festering cancer of imprisonment for community service in the rebuilding. If these individuals are allowed to invest in the future they will be given value, and hopefully pride in the society in which they live. Imprisonment simply represents exclusion and isolation merely adding fuel to the fire.
This is Britain's 'French revolution' moment. Egalite, liberte et fraternite. Equality, liberty and fraternity. As difficult as it may be to offer empathy in response to the destruction we have observed, empathy is not wholly altruistic, this is investment in our collective futures. Revenge and retribution will only exacerbate the problem, at best, merely delaying future recurrences. The coalition must decide whether to invest in the future and integrate the disenfranchised back into society, or 'let them eat cake' in prison at our collective peril. I pray they choose wisely but my instinct suggests they really don't understand.
True, many possibly most of the individuals involved in recent rioting are opportunists. And these individuals are the greatest losers as they have discarded a future of hope for a handful of material goods and I have little sympathy for them. I do believe in accountability for actions where it is appropriate, and privileged opportunists deserve little sympathy. However, I expect that those who initiated the rioting in the first place are not just opportunists. They are the disillusioned, discarded and disenfranchised fraction of society; an ever growing proportion in our increasingly economically-disparate society. And I suspect that the rioting stemmed from pure angst, rage and frustration. Years of oppression have resulted in a smoldering rage which festered like cancer, fed by economic disparity and privation.
Which leads to my greatest fear. That recent events will be viewed solely as 'wanton criminality'. And what exactly does that mean other than our leaders have no clue about the cause(s) or appropriate solutions other than blunt reactive measures which will likely only inflame the situation; hardly a comforting thought! For those most driven by angst and frustration are those at the very bottom of society. Educated by the dregs of a state system disinterested in equality; the limited education on offer a poor strategy designed to delay release into society of these unfortunates prior to working age. Housed in cramped conditions, a melange of angst, distrust and disillusionment. Where poverty is rife and food, shelter, clothes and even shoes remain in limited supply. These unfortunates have little to hope for, and less to care about. So viewed in this light, perhaps the threat of imprisonment isn't such a bad option. Three square meals a day, housing in an environment where minimum space requirements are imposed (a luxury not ensured by private accommodation) and an opportunity for state sponsored education. And to assist in the rehabilitation, localisation close to the family home, and likely in association with other similar unfortunates. Food, shelter, clothes and buddies; quite possibly considerably better than what is on offer in impoverished communities suffering from privation. And in short, a breeding pool for further angst, frustration and disillusionment.
This collective rage should be viewed as angst, but also a cry for help. Although these individuals are responsible for significant destruction, if there is to be any hope for the future, it is imperative that those most responsible for starting the riots play a role in the rebuilding process. Exchange the festering cancer of imprisonment for community service in the rebuilding. If these individuals are allowed to invest in the future they will be given value, and hopefully pride in the society in which they live. Imprisonment simply represents exclusion and isolation merely adding fuel to the fire.
This is Britain's 'French revolution' moment. Egalite, liberte et fraternite. Equality, liberty and fraternity. As difficult as it may be to offer empathy in response to the destruction we have observed, empathy is not wholly altruistic, this is investment in our collective futures. Revenge and retribution will only exacerbate the problem, at best, merely delaying future recurrences. The coalition must decide whether to invest in the future and integrate the disenfranchised back into society, or 'let them eat cake' in prison at our collective peril. I pray they choose wisely but my instinct suggests they really don't understand.
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