The Knives are Out
The knives are out in UK. In so many different ways. The rioters have taken out the literal ones. It’s surprising that it can go on for so many nights, with the police unable to do anything.
Then there all the other types of knives, the non-literal ones. Like from the people who’ve decided to attribute reasons for the riots. The reasons range from had-enough-with-racial-discrimination to feeling-excluded-from-prosperity to feeling-of-hopelessness to simply-looting. Based on their reasons, these people blame the riots on everything from discrimination to non-inclusive growth (sound familiar?) to the recession and cuts in spending to lack of good parenting!
When the British PM said that social networking sites like Twitter were partly responsible because they acted as tools for co-ordinating such riots, another set pointed out how, just a few months back, the Brits were so in favour of Twitter when it was used in the Arab risings. How quickly times change.
The Chinese took a shot saying that such a law and order breakdown didn’t bode well for the security of athletes during next year’s Olympics in London. Not to be left behind, our cricket commentators are pointing out how our cricket team has “magnanimously” agreed to stay on and play as opposed to the Brits who, they say, would have packed their bags and run if the same thing had happened in India. The shoe is truly on the other foot.
And lastly, there’s Internet humour. Like this photo on Flickr titled “Revised London Olympics logo, now with rioter!”
Then there all the other types of knives, the non-literal ones. Like from the people who’ve decided to attribute reasons for the riots. The reasons range from had-enough-with-racial-discrimination to feeling-excluded-from-prosperity to feeling-of-hopelessness to simply-looting. Based on their reasons, these people blame the riots on everything from discrimination to non-inclusive growth (sound familiar?) to the recession and cuts in spending to lack of good parenting!
When the British PM said that social networking sites like Twitter were partly responsible because they acted as tools for co-ordinating such riots, another set pointed out how, just a few months back, the Brits were so in favour of Twitter when it was used in the Arab risings. How quickly times change.
The Chinese took a shot saying that such a law and order breakdown didn’t bode well for the security of athletes during next year’s Olympics in London. Not to be left behind, our cricket commentators are pointing out how our cricket team has “magnanimously” agreed to stay on and play as opposed to the Brits who, they say, would have packed their bags and run if the same thing had happened in India. The shoe is truly on the other foot.
And lastly, there’s Internet humour. Like this photo on Flickr titled “Revised London Olympics logo, now with rioter!”
I liked the cartoon in the end! Whatever be the situation - good or bad or indifferent - nothing to light up life like humor.
ReplyDeleteI could never make out why the riots. And why so intense. Your blog states more or less what I had guessed: disgruntled youth with a sense of insecurity who also might have racially discriminating ideas. Quite a jumble I am sure. Unfortunate for UK because at least if the cause is clear one might think of a direction to work out a solution.
On the whole, the situation all over the world seems to be showing some level of negative emotions with the social backdrop from time to time. I suppose it is part of the way of our mind.
May UK come to peace and may the rioting be a thing of the past. How can riots bring happiness to anyone in the long run, including the rioters?