Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Could it happen here?

By Matt Clear - posted Tuesday, 16 August 2011


I have a level of respect for British Prime Minister David Cameron.

I was recently impressed by his long session answering questions in the House of Commons in response to the phone hacking scandal. I think he deserves a level of respect for his ability to juggle his responsibility to the country as a fairly young leader (45) with a young family, including three children – his youngest child is only one!

I am, however, dismayed at Cameron's response to the riots currently gripping Britain. Using terms like needing to 'fight back' and that the people involved are 'sick' really misses the point. Cameron has said this is not about poverty it's about criminals.

Advertisement

I don't agree.

Are we expected to believe that so many young people have just turned feral for no reason? Do these young people simply like destroying property and creating chaos?

As Lleyton Hewitt would say (and you should add the emphasis) "C'mon!". 

Do that again, as it is pretty therapeutic ... "C'mon!".

I say it just doesn't add up, and that issues of poverty and alienation are very much at the core of the problems.

What we are dealing with here are disenfranchised, marginalised and disadvantaged young people that feel like they have been left behind by society in a country where the gap between the haves and the have nots is ever increasing.

Advertisement

We are dealing with young people who have not been given the opportunities they deserve, and have not been provided with a level of engagement that would make them feel part of the community in which they live.

It's not their fault; it's the fault of society who have left them behind in this capitalistic, consumerist and highly competitive society that we all live in today.

I know there are also a range of broader specific cultural and societal issues at play – distrust of police, racial and demographic issues and rates of employment are all significant and contributing factors to the current situation of violence.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

9 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Manager of Community Relations with Connections UnitingCare.

Related Links
Clearmatthew Twitter

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 9 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy