London Riots

philosophised at 9:35 AM

It is wishful thinking that the riots are 'spontaneous' and 'nothing more than criminality'. Community leaders have made reference to underlying social and economic conditions that sparked the problem, and it's just pure denial and political irresponsibility to disregard these problems. But even if it is just recreational violence, the politicians ought to be asking themselves how did such a developed first-world country descend into this state of anarchy, senseless opportunism and jocular greed where people - youths and juveniles - just mugged and looted and murdered for 'recreation'. This is more sinister than any riot in Syria or Libya; at least people there are rioting for a purpose. This criminality and moral decadence is an endemic problem that has been brewing under the surface for a long time. There are plenty of room for reflection.

It doesn't matter that these riots aren't politically-motivated. Riots are an outburst of anger, where people often do not stop to put a voice to their anger, but rather choose to be engulfed in pure wrath. There is usually a clear message in protests, but you don't expect to find much rationality in riots. But Riots always have an underlying cause, social tension, urban decay, economic deprivation, unemployment, inequality, police brutality, discrimination, oppression. It is naive to think that any riot is spontaneous. It betrays a more chronic problem in society.