August 6th - 9th 2011
The Planet's attention was clenched, as a tsunami of pernicious riots swept the shores of England in devastating fashion.
Coined as 'the worst unrest for decades', politicians have collectively voiced their utmost condemnation, labelling the perpetrators as 'sick', disengaged individuals.
So, all the while these 'sick' individuals flounder in the pits of society, a more pertinent question begins to surface:
Who or what made these 'feral rats' sick?
Since the unrest, Cameron and Co. have cast their benevolent fingers in the direction of: parents, rap music, greed and opportunism. All of which, stem from a lack of 'personal responsibility'.
Interestingly however, Mr Cameron is yet to address himself to the role that he has played in the debacle. Positioned at the helm of British politics, the man who brought you such BS as 'the big society' seems to have misplaced his word. Perhaps more disconcerting, Cameron's trousers have become far too tight; thus, the 'big society' belt has been unbuckled.
It hardly takes a Kim Ung-yong to grasp that a sick society, is indicative of a sick Government. And likewise, a fit and prosperous society will constitute a fit and healthy Government.
Since the Coalition rose to power, the UK has been rife with unprecedented cuts to the public sector- the most devastating of all: education.
The abolishment of EMA may seem frivolous to some, however exemplifies the Tories' lack of consideration for the future of this Country. By continuing to trample on the dreams of aspiring young people, they are intrinsically stunting the growth of the UK's future.
Tripling the annual student fees further corroborates this problem, and ascertains the irreverence aforementioned. By making higher education less attainable, they are instead fueling an all encompassing fog of disillusionment.
Through education and cultivation blossoms: hope, wealth, intelligence, respect, ambition... the foibles that create a well rounded, virtuous person. When you strip a person of education you in turn strip a person of these necessities; planting the seeds of anguish, idleness and iniquity.
Now, take deprived areas of London such as Croydon, Hackney, Peckham, Clapham, Tottenham etc.. In light of the deficit, evidently these boroughs have been hit hard by the cuts; youth clubs, schools, clinics, they've all been stopped in their tracks, spawning a volcano of anguish, desperation and alienation amongst young, destitute people. No man is born 'evil'; man is a product of his surroundings / materials.
Likewise, areas such as Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham & the Midlands are all suffering from similar problems, whereby minorities are outcast, jobs are scarce, mirth is invisible and tyranny is thriving.
With all this being said, the only course of action the Government seem to implement is that of mass incarceration. Needless to say, 'criminals' should face the full force of the law, but by simply locking these people away and moving on, seldom will we uncover the source of the problem. Akin to the way in which we treat a mentally ill serial killer; he / she needs a doctor, not an executioner. Sickness can be cured.
To sum up, by no means is this article intended to condone the London riots, as I myself was left tumultuous and shocked in view of the events. But, on reflection, it's imperative that we address the causes of these riots, and avoid writing them off as senseless thuggery, but a deep wound in society that needs stitching. If a wound is not treated promptly, a deeper more malignant infection will inevitably spread...
Let us take this devastation, as a plea for help not a cry for mercy.
