I'm on holiday at the moment and spent today visiting Bath with a friend. We went round the Roman Baths and had lunch in the Pump Rooms. Lunch in the Pump Rooms is a civilised affair in elegant surroundings with waiters in smart waistcoats and long starched white aprons, a pianist playing on a dais at one end of the huge room. A pot of English Breakfast tea with a light lunch there is the Best of British.
The Worst of British is the riots around the country. It's unbelievable that this could be happening in Britain, let alone in Croydon, a place I'd spend shopping in my youth. Demonstrations - yes, protests - yes but this level of thuggery, looting and violent mayhem - no! I know, intellectually, we're no different to other people but somehow I've always felt this wouldn't happen here. I don't know why this should be because I worked in London at the height of the IRA threat when bombs were going off. I've heard about the riots we've had over the centuries during times of social unrest and injustice but I don't relly believe there's anything in this society that warrants the level of violence we're seeing. Self-defeating if it is truly a reaction against the economic downturn because it's destroying businesses, livelihoods and homes. It's going to cost a fortune to rebuild. If the cause is truly in protest at the original shooting and trying to bring it to the attention of the public then also self-defeating because no-one is really thinking about it now, all news reports are focussed on the violence.
No, it's a sad reflection of how far we've fallen in standards in this country. Standards of decency and consideration for others; fair play and family cohesion. Parents should be keeping their children home yet I suspect some are out helping with the looting. Those who aren't looting are out there treating it as a spectator sport, getting in the way of the police, making it harder for them to know who are the troublemakers and easier for the troublemakers to melt into the crowds.
Talking about this over breakfast this morning we variously decided to heck with their 'yuman rights'; use teargas, use water cannons - and one suggestion I particularly liked - use a special dye in the watercanons so they are marked for all society to see and know they are looters and thugs. If spectators are also marked - tough, they shouldn't be there goggling and getting in the way - it's irresponsible.
This morning I was ashamed to be British, this evening things have come back into perspective a little and I can see again the good that balances the bad but this is a black episode in our history.
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I’ve been watching the riots and looting with something between awe and disbelief. Of course US television is quick to point out the supposed similarities between the downtrodden in our two countries, and therefore justify the destruction as inevitable protest. I say there is never an excuse for what I am seeing. Respectfully, I disagree that the implication by omission is uniquely British, or even common between us. It’s larger than that – perhaps a shadow of the fallen nature of man. Could we be entering the latest version of the dark ages?
ReplyDeletej.
I fervently hope we're not entering another dark age but it certainly does seem that way some days. Thankfully we are now seeing the flipside of events - people are going out on the streets during the day and voluntarily cleaning up after the rioters, much like the Egyptians did. While there are still good people like this surely there is hope for us all? The clean-up has been organised through Facebook and Twitter; let's hope that modern forms of communication like this can counteract the problems we are seeing. As blogging is bringing people in different countries together as friends, like you and I, so Facebook and Twitter are pulling like-minded people together to work for the common good. I have to see the good in these situations...or I'd cry!
ReplyDeleteWake up, sleepy head. Time for a wide lunge in a new direction.
ReplyDeletej
You're quite right! Ever since I got back from holiday I've been lollygagging (don't you just love that word? I read it recently in one of my favourite author's books - a blast from the past, I hadn't heard that one for years!) My lunging days are past - yes, I fenced too - not all that well although I did represent my school in the South East section (of England) under-18's and went on to represent the in the national finals (came no-where) and the Scottish ladies open foil championships (I'm not Scottish and didn't come anywhere there either but we were on the spot) - loads of fun and a week off school, what more could I have wanted? Nevertheless, it's time to air my views again... but how to I limit my choice of subject?...so many wrongs to right, so many topics to vent on! Hmm, a pause for thought I think - watch this space!
ReplyDeleteHow about 25 things I may not know about you?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I fenced a woman once - on a dare (hers). Didn't like it. I fenced to win, she fenced to kill.
She won. Didn't like that as well.
j.