Like most people who know and love London, I have been shocked and disturbed to watch the events taking place there. While I don't consider myself ignorant to issues of social justice, I just can not join my liberal friends who find reason upon reason to explain the actions of the British youth looting and destroying the very neighborhoods they live in.
"What's the difference between looting and working the stock markets?" one friend asks.
"When you don't have anything and are told that your worth is based on what you own, of course you go a bit crazy," says another.
I'm sorry, but this, in the end, sounds like middle class liberal guilt for having what others do not. Would my friends be so tolerant of middle class kids behaving badly? Since when did immoral white collar behavior legitimize immoral working class and poor behavior? Why are we excusing one action because it's comparable to another one?
Of course the world is a racist, exclusionary, unfair place but there are enough people who know right from wrong, even in the ghetto. Excusing violent behavior based on social class is just as bad as blaming violent behavior based on social class.
I am not saying the anger is not understandable or ungrounded but I ask, why do liberals have such low moral expectations of the poor and working class?
Photo: flickr
5 comments:
I fully agree with you. I would just add that some so-called liberals seem to like everybody who is destructive, so they support also the middle-class Greek rioters.
Well, it's not just a 'liberal' view. The best piece on the riots was written by a conservative, and he believes it's a top down rot as I do. Have a look: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peteroborne/100100708/the-moral-decay-of-our-society-is-as-bad-at-the-top-as-the-bottom/
So that's my tuppence worth from the person who took that photo you've used.
@Anonymous,
I consider myself a liberal but found myself in the minority in my views about this. I don't know why this surprised me but it did.
Thank you for the photo. I always make sure to link back to your page and appreciate the great shot.
CBS
Hope to see you in the chat tomorrow (8pm eastern)! =]We're discussing and debating it all out. Be there to set the record straight!
We LOVE all that you have to say here on your site =].
<3 FWB
I am with "anonymous" - there is a difference between explaining and excusing. I can understand those who participated in the uprisings even if I would not necessarily have chosen to behave the same way.
Of course the violent, anti-social, destructive behaviour should not be tolerated - but finding a solution to the problems experienced in poor parts of London will not come through a simple blame tactic either.
It is fully legitimate imho to try to look for the root causes - this requires analysis not judgement or finger-pointing.
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