Birmingham Riots

[angelkitty101]

Well, I've got the news on, and am checking http://birminghamriots2011.tumblr.com/

To say I'm shocked is an understatement. I'm a maelstrom of feelings, nearly all of them negative. I feel frustrated, angry, upset and confused. I really don't get it. I don't see what it will achieve. And now the flashpoints have all gone up!

In important news, I am safe, Jo is safe, the cats are safe, and I've never been so happy to live in the Black Country in my life!

Comments

[kelticbanshee]

Gosh. Keep us posted?

[angelkitty101.livejournal.com]

Will try, am using Twitter and FB more than lj for this!

[tyopsqueene.livejournal.com]

This is causing me such double-think.

1. These are violent, mindless crimes, causing real pain and fear and harm to people, and could easily get out of control and kill someone.

2. These are also the consequence of government attitudes, policing attitudes, social division and a sense of alienation and powerlessness.

Both those things are true. I guess I just wish that they'd direct the crimes a bit more obviously towards people responsible for the things in 2., instead of getting stuck in 1. and nicking TVs.

I dunno: I tried voting, writing letters, seeing my MP, taking part in legal strike action, signing petitions and going on peaceful protests. In return I got ignored, abused, fobbed off, laughed at, and charged at by a police horse. At least part of me would rather have got a free TV out of it...
And, yeah, I combine that thought with extreme fear and anxiety about the people I know who live in these areas and are frightened and threatened by it. I just...can't fix on an answer, everyone in the situation seems wrong, and all the commentary is stupid and biased one way or another. And the 'HANG EM BRING THE WATER CANONS' brigade make me want to go out and set fire to stuff myself, as they said that when we were peacefully protesting too...

[angelkitty101.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I am for peaceful protest, but I honestly cannot see a reason for the Brum riots. I can see the flashpoint for London, but for Brum? It seems to be looting for lootings sake. Coupled with the fact that they really are just trashing the place, I don't get it. I really don't.

[tyopsqueene.livejournal.com]

It absolutely is looting for looting's sake. It's lashing out at the world. All that's happened is that huge numbers of people have just figured out the truth of the power of the mass - if there's enough of you, some of you will get away with it. And what's the worst that could happen? A night in the cells? A charge of aggravated damage and theft? You could get that on a binge with the girls, and it's not like it's going to make much of a difference to your dismal employment/life prospects, is it?
People with nothing/who think they have nothing to lose are really, really scary.

[angelkitty101.livejournal.com]

Oh and the 'Hang Them From the Lampposts' brigade are driving me nuts! That is NOT the answer!