Assignment for Wednesday: London riots research
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The riots that have been taking place in London since Sunday evening (and in greater England since Monday evening) are relevant to Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, since it deals with individuals who have been isolated and kicked out of their economic systems (i.e., Julius going offline).
In a broader sense, many of the texts that we’ve read this quarter are about how economic systems work — how they set up life for individuals — and also when those systems fail, either through collapse, or fail to allow individuals to provide a good life for themselves and their families.
There is no single answer that explains the London riots. However, the fact that they are happening suggests that on some level, the economic system in England isn’t working.
Your assignment for Wednesday is to read up on the riots, and bring two contrasting perspectives on them to class. These perspectives can take the form of a blog post, an article online, or even tweets. Post links to your two pieces of information in comments below. (If you want to link to a single Tweet, click on the date (7 Aug) associated with it. Not everyone can bring the same article, or tweet, etc. — so look through to see what other people have found.
Wikipedia has a summary of the cause of the riots that is a good starting point. It’s not by any means complete, but it’s a good entry.
The BBC is London’s oldest television/radio news source.
The Guardian, the Telegraph, and the Independent are London’s three major newspapers.
You can also find info on the riots by searching for the #LondonRiots hashtag at Twitter .
You don’t have to find info from these sources — you can also look at other news sources or blog posts from throughout England, or elsewhere.
I look forward to seeing what you find.
http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14439970
http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14459516
Blogger that places much of the blame on multiculturalists supporting gang culture:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/damianthompson/100100087/london-riots-this-is-what-happens-when-multiculturalists-turn-a-blind-eye-to-gang-culture/
Blog that explains why riots are happening, poor economy in certain areas of London:
http://networkedblogs.com/lrev6
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14436529
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8630533/Riots-the-underclass-lashes-out.html
This is actually a video of what a person thought about the London riots. It is very interesting and he thinks that the police used unnecessary force.
http://ignite-revolution.org/2011/08/09/london_riots_perspective/
This article is about how Blackberry the company is going to co operate with the police to help probe around their messenger for people discussing about the riots.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/08/london-riots-blackberry-messenger-looting
I’ll bring NPR and BBC’s versions tomorrow
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/139233715/britain-burns-riots-spread-through-uk-cities
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14460554
This is a tumblr post scolding and criticizing the youth for acting out in violence:
http://woahbryce.tumblr.com/post/8681819678
This is an article about how many communities are criticizing the police for not doing enough, and are starting to take action themselves and fight back. It also mentions that sales of bats and other weapons have dramatically increased.
http://woahbryce.tumblr.com/post/8681819678
Some psychoanalysis of what is going on to drive these people to loot:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14463452
An sample of citizens’ feelings presented on Twitter, but also found on Facbook’s “Supporting the Met Police Against the London Rioters”:
http://twitter.com/#!/GWKnottnerus/status/101172699442839553
by robertmommie Renee on Aug. 9, 2011 at 7:58 PM
I have been watching what they are showing on the news. It seems totally different from what I would imagine London as. I have heard of a lot of terrorist and extremist groups targeting the youth in that area for recruits, maybe it’s taking hold, I don’t know. But the reason for the rioting starting was that a young father was gunned down by police in London who say the young man fired at them first. The riots have spread from London to surrounding towns, the youth are angry and say “the police have too much power”. The authorities are begging for parents to keep their youth at home, so far the youngest arrested is 11 for robbery during rioting. Over 400 arrests have been made since it all started. The youth is basically outraged that the police killed someone who at least they believe was a family man, he was 29 and a father of four. London keeps calling him “a young man” and say all the rioting and protesting is being done by youth. No evidence or proof of either side has been given, so who knows. Many local residents and business owners have lost everything due to the destruction and fires from riots.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2011/aug/09/london-riots-day-three-roundup
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2023874/UK-riots-2011-16k-police-ready-use-plastic-bullets-lid-Londons-looters.html
Two contrasting news stories on the London riots:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14439970
This one looks from a police-friendly perspective. It describes the chaos and destruction on the streets, and what the authorities are doing to stop it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8691363/London-and-UK-riots-The-long-retreat-of-order.html
This article criticizes the lawkeeping forces for not doing their jobs, and allowing mobs to form (in the past), so that the current mobs are unafraid of police retaliation.