Blimey, well how was I to know that writing a blog about most people being good, and how we get too much focus on negatives in the media would lead to looting, riots, and demonstrations of the worse side of people?
I feel angry at the wanton destruction & lack of care for others that quite a few of the looters have shown. But I know that to resist the temptation when everyone around you is grabbing stuff that seems to be going free would take a lot of willpower.
It concerns me that the reactions to the behaviours have focused on retribution. Haven't we learnt that locking up doesn't solve someone's lack of prospects. And that our conspicuous consumerism, inequalities and general sleaze of many in authority are also not going to lead to a healthy balanced future.
Anyway, there have been some good articles & blogs I've read, which give me hope.
http://pme200.blogspot.com/2011/08/scum.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/09/uk-riots-psychology-of-looting
Camila from Kids Company in Indie
Sunshine has arrived finally, we have had some warmth at last and yes I
know we have had more rain but actually this is perfect growing weather.
Hopefully ...
4 hours ago
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2 comments:
Not sure I agree with this Rachel. I think the looters need to be punished quite severely, as a deterrent to them and to others and because their victims (often equally poor and now perhaps without job / livelihood / property / home because of their actions) need to see justice done through the law. I agree that crooked MPs (e.g. Blears) and journalists have contributed to the problem, but I don't think it can be an excuse. I also think it's a bit of an insult to the large numbers of deprived people who behave morally and wouldn't consider looting / stealing to suggest that deprivation is a reason for such behaviour. Many certainly did have the willpower you mention; those who didn't need to learn it! Not sure also what you mean by "the wanton destruction & lack of care for others that quite a few of the looters have shown"; were there looters who didn't indulge in wanton destruction and showed care for others and are so OK? Sorry to come over all Daily Mail but I'm very angry at the suffering these idiots have caused ordinary people just as badly - or worse - off than themselves.
I think the trouble is that deprivation wasn't the sole reason for it, and locking up young teenagers doesn't seem good use of public money to me. I absolutely take your point that justice should be seen to be done, but the suggestion that families be evicted on the actions of one family member seems harsh, infair & counter productive.
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