"This is not about poverty, it’s about culture. A culture that glorifies violence, shows disrespect to authority, and says everything about rights but nothing about responsibilities."
I couldn't agree with the above statement and the ideas it holds more, but seeing as it's coming from a politician who's government is under immense pressure right now, I know it's only meant to pacify an irate and understandably damn worried population. In his recap of the events, Cameron says that a lack of morality in today's youth and their inability to decipher the difference between right and wrong is the root cause of the recent acts of violence, but can the reason for all of this upheaval really be so uncomplicated as to be put down to a generation of inadequate parenting/cultural guidance?
Admittedly, I really need to look more into this issue myself before I'll be able to clearly state my opinion on the subject, but I still don't see how this can be all there is to the issue, and that's probably because it most certainly isn't. We need to learn more about the people who are rioting, what their lives are like, and (most importantly) what reasons they give for looting and conducting arson. I haven't yet come across an article that really delves into this, and though I haven't yet conducted an exhaustive search by any means, it's clear that the media is focusing on the acts of rebellion themselves rather than the motives behind them. In each article I've perused (mainly through the UK & US Huffington pages), they cite personal stories of those bereaved and focus on glorifying the law-abiding citizens that haven't participated in the violent displays while writing off those that have as 'misguided youths' connected to 'street gangs,' even going so far as to characterize them all as "thugs."
Again, I in no way condone any of the horrendous transgressions these offenders of property, people, and the law have committed, but only want to explore the issue further in the hopes of maybe getting a better idea of the 'why?' factor in all of this. It's obvious what the media wants us to think, but is it possible that deeper motives exist behind the looters' and arsonists' uprisings that the press & politicians are ignoring, don't want to see, or know of and don't wish to share? Who knows at this point, but clearly the issue is a complex one that can't just be attributed to one social factor or another, but to at least several or -- even more likely -- many.
I'll keep digging, but until then:
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” ~ Buddha
Until next time,
Torey
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