LONDON'S BURNING

In 1985, I lived in Tottenham, a poor, racially mixed part of London, where Yuppies were a world away.  I moved there when I bought my first flat, aged 24.  It was the only area that I could afford to buy in, that was within a commutable distance from where I worked, Hackney.  Those names may sound familiar to you, as they are in the news now.

The early 1980s were a time of great turmoil in Britain.  Riots spread across the country in 1981 and 1985.  The 1981 riots brought about the ending of the notorious 'sus' laws, which allowed police to stop and search people they were suspicious of intending to commit a crime.  The reality of this law was that it was chiefly used against black and other ethnic minorities.  It was seen by the black community as a deeply racist law.

In the riots of 1985, police actions were again on the line over their treatment of black people.  One of the first 1985 riots broke out in Tottenham, at the Broadwater Farm Estate.  I lived very near that estate.  Two people died there, Cynthia Jarrett (the mother of a young black man arrested earlier) who died of a stroke during a police search of her house, and the killing of PC Keith Blakelock, who was hacked to death by rioters.  So once again we had race riots.  This time however, there was also the frustration of the economic situation in Thatcher Britain, where young blacks faced higher unemployment rates than their white counterparts.

The riots in the early 1980s were perhaps an inevitable reaction to the frustration felt by underprivileged sections of society.  They rioted because they felt they had a cause, that nobody would listen to them otherwise and because they felt they could make a change.  I didn't agree in any way with the rioting.  I did understand however, that a change was badly needed, that would affect those near the bottom of the pile in a positive way and that would share some of the incredible wealth that was being rapidly made by a few people in the financial world.

Now fast forward 25 years later, and the same thing is happening again.  But why?  It started in Tottenham, over the killing by police of a black man in a taxi.  We are told there was an exchange of fire and depending on which side you listen to, either the police shot first, or the man did.  A peaceful demonstration ensued, which has evolved into the mayhem we now see.

What is different then?  As far as I can see, this is all about looting.  Where are the people demanding justice for the dead man since that is what started it?  Where are those wanting a change for the better, or demanding better pay or a change in government?  If they are there, they are lost behind the louts who are looting the mobile phone shops and the high street jewellers.  They are hiding behind those flat screen televisions and the sports clothes.  There may be some genuine grievances there,  but come on, look at what is going on.  People just want the latest phone, bigger earrings and a 96" flat screen.  This is a bunch of robbers with a box of matches gone wild.  Out come the Blackberries to find the latest spot to raid.  These people are converging from all over London and beyond, for a chance to get a free bit of technology and the chance to have a bit of fiery fun. These people are idiots whose last remaining brain cell was fried by overuse of their 'last month's model' mobile phone.

Maybe I sound nostalgic for the good old riots of my youth.  Not at all.  It is just that they had a point - social and economic change.  These appear to have no point, or if they did, they have been hijacked by the marauding thieving punks.

Who is going to lose out in all this?  Maybe the family with the young baby who were sheltering in their car, which was then attacked with them in it, after their home was burned down.  Yes, that did happen.  Maybe they will gain something.  What about all the Mr. Smiths and Mr. Patels. who have worked all the hours God sends to build up a business, only to have the whole thing burned down, by some spotty ike?

I worked hard when I was young, to earn the money to buy a flat, a clapped out first car and furniture.  I worked to pay my bills and to put food on the table.  If I couldn't find a way to pay for it, I didn't have it.  The UK also has all sorts of social support to help people have food and shelter.   Yes people fall through the net and people do go without.  But do you really think those are the people out there looting?  Social welfare may not be much, but it is better than nothing.  Just ask people who truely have nothing.

Unless you have just been through Hurricaine Kattrina and are waist deep in filthy water, have no food to eat or clean water to drink, no nappies for your baby or no meds for your grandma; you have no cause to loot.  You go out like we did and like countless others do every day, and earn the money to buy your stuff.  And you know what, if you can't afford it, do without.