I'll admit I've not been to many demonstrations or protests if not back in my school days or more recently at the Julian Assange court hearings and Bradley Manning London demo where the atmosphere was of political banter, guaranteed, but all in absolute peace and laughs (we even had tea and snacks, talk for violent protesting!). But the scenes I've just seen on my TV screen - and I'm still seeing as they don't seem to wither down - totally anger me. No, they piss me off big time.
I do understand having opinions, I do understand wanting to air them. After all this blog is all about my views on life and what surrounds us. What I don't understand though is violence like the frantic, blind, freak show-like, Red Bull-infused wrath that these 150 angry kids 'campaigning' for anti-cuts are offering for the whole world to see. UK Uncut, the activist group organising these activities, just being interviewed by Sky News states they've broken in and are occupying Fortnum & Mason as an act of civil disobedience. 'No, you're breaking the law', the newsreader kips back. Rightly so.
I also understand the impetus and ideals of youth; I appreciate they might have a certain notion of The Man being evil and something to destroy at all costs, but when this gets expressed through a 'method' of mere destruction, violence, rage and more, then it's where my empathy and support end and I dismiss these protesters as simply angry kids with no social skills and understanding of the world apart from their 'ideals'. Funny how many of these people end up ruining further the world and the environment they so want to change.
The organisers of these acts of violence are an organisation that is entirely focussed on attacking big tax-dodging corporations. To date they've put together weekly - even amusing and inventive - occupations of major shops and banks around the UK and have even spawned an American version, US Uncut. But they have never resorted to violence. So a part of me wants to believe these anarchists aren't from UK Uncut and are just deranged weirdo's with no better to do than venting their existential anger at inanimate objects.
I for one don't like many of the companies and corporations they target either and in my own way I show my hate by simply not buying their products or choosing more ethical alternatives - my bank, The Co-operative Bank, is one of the very few ethical banks, for example. I campaign as peacefully as possible, I share information with others for them to make their own decisions, I don't proselytise, mind you, and while some things might anger me very much, I would never get into sub-beast mode - as these people seem to do - to 'get my point across'. Because guess what? The people will not engage with you and then, the change you so wish to make, won't be made and only a stall - if not a change for the worse - will occur. And the cycle will repeat itself. These people need to understand that the Governments don't wait for anything else but for the dissidents to play the rage card. Be violent and you'll have given up the few rights you have. Simple. Why isn't using the brain seen as essential in many protesters? Why so taken by their own 'ideals' that they can't have bi-focal vision?
Wanting to be part of something big, something that is thought will change the world and society is a natural side of our psyche. Maslow wrote about the herarchy of needs at length. Wanting to change the world is hounourable - although I have my own reservations on the possibility of this ever happening - right now in the case of these protesters, all they're changing, apart from the broken and vandalised shops, is their criminal record. And for the worse.
Is it the sign that this society - and this country especially - have lost all parenting skills? Don't adults know how to teach their children how to get their point across without resorting to theatricality, outlandish actions and downright violence? Haven't these kids developed any social skills whatsoever? Haven't they grown out of their 'I want this and I want it NOW!'?
In this entire scenario the people I feel sorry for are the Police that seem the ones who bear the brunt of the situation. They are too suffering cuts but they still do their job to the best of their abilities. Without complaining and hitting at others. Obviously there are exceptions in the high standard of the Police but that is expected from any sector.
And as I speak the angry kids don't seem to stop. Should we send them to the Hard School of Life?
All of this while these more tragic things happen. Congratulations, angry kids, my sincere congratulations for getting your priorities right. I just hope on one of your next drunken nights when desperately trying to get money, for a cab back home to your mom and dad, off the several cash machines you have just destroyed you'll see the stupidity of your actions. Leicester Square is a good spot for the homeless, I hear. Good luck.
