To You

“The apparent causes are nearly always trivial and to the superficial eye unjustified. The theory of a few hooligans is not only dangerous but without sense. I know of no instance where a few hooligans have  disrupted a major public function, unless they knew or sensed that public opinion was either on their side or at least netural.” (C.L.R. James, Beyond a Boundary, 1963 – discussing a different riot on a different continent in a different decade sparked by different catalysts) 

Blame Games: Riots and Responsibilities

Report commissioned by Guardian and LSE into the riots dug up the unsurprising finding that many people who were out on the streets in August are unhappy with the police. Interviews broadcast on World at One yesterday (5th December) had people on Clarence Road saying, “They’re horrible especially to black people” and “when they know you’re different they don’t like it.” Testimonies of discrimination and humiliation abound (see link above). Black people, an earlier LSE study showed, are 26 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people. Tim Orde, chairman of Association of Chief Police Officers, says people should take more responsibility.