The widening gap between the rich and poor is causing the riots
Sep 05, 2011
THE numerous accounts of the civil unrest currently sweeping the world present themselves in many guises. In Syria, people are striking back at President Assad’s regime and Libya is finally rid of Muammar Gadaffi.
David Billington
THE numerous accounts of the civil unrest currently sweeping the world present themselves in many guises. In Syria, people are striking back at President Assad’s regime and Libya is finally rid of Muammar Gadaffi. Egypt is undergoing reforms and several Middle Eastern rulers are under threat.
The world is changing. But is it changing for the better? And how painful will the transformation be? One factor is emerging like a common thread running through the political and social turmoil.
The factor is the ever widening difference between the “haves and the have notsâ€.
In my own country, the UK, recent violent riots have seen looting, arson and even murder on the streets of major cities. Someone actually sent me a very amusing email which took the form of a press statement from an African country which offered help, food parcels and educational aid to the UK. It was the turn of the congregation to talk back at the preacher who has for years offered many words and little action in helping Africa.
But why, in the UK, have there been riots at all? Are not all westerners wealthy and can afford to go out and buy a TV or clothes without resorting to stealing them?
No, they are not but the looting is a result, not a cause of the rioting. It was social unrest sparked by dissatisfaction. It is the difference between the “haves and the have nots†and a tangible way for the less fortunate’s to strike back with one voice.
British youngsters who live on depressing government owned housing estates and tenement blocks and who received poor education with little prospect of joining the world of aspiring achievers were determined to have their say.
And in this current world, it is easy to organise a riot…mobile phone connections and the internet make communication very easy and near impossible for the police to keep up with moving events.
In Uganda, I was told an interesting story of how the youngsters in an up country village were suddenly presented with television viewing in their one local bar. There in front of their eyes was a channel called MTV. It was about music, fashion, cars and style.
It was their thing in their town but how could they identify with it? They had no access to achieving all that these MTV western kids had access to. The gaping divide between the ‘haves and have nots’ was very apparent to them for the first time.
The seeds of civil unrest and rebellion were planted deep as the luxuries of the outside world became apparent to these youngsters. If others have this kind of life then why shouldn’t they?
But what can they do about it? Not a lot you will immediately respond and there you have it…frustration and impotency which fuels rebellion.
If the world is to progress with any sense of calm, dignity and safety not only must the politicians and leaders of this world realise that with mass communication things are changing then businessmen and religious leaders and the like have to realise that their world is changing too.
It is time to give back…it is time to create more equal opportunities and to show a thread of light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel for the under privileged. The people are fighting back all over the world.
The writer is a creative director
THE numerous accounts of the civil unrest currently sweeping the world present themselves in many guises. In Syria, people are striking back at President Assad’s regime and Libya is finally rid of Muammar Gadaffi. Egypt is undergoing reforms and several Middle Eastern rulers are under threat.
The world is changing. But is it changing for the better? And how painful will the transformation be? One factor is emerging like a common thread running through the political and social turmoil.
The factor is the ever widening difference between the “haves and the have notsâ€.
In my own country, the UK, recent violent riots have seen looting, arson and even murder on the streets of major cities. Someone actually sent me a very amusing email which took the form of a press statement from an African country which offered help, food parcels and educational aid to the UK. It was the turn of the congregation to talk back at the preacher who has for years offered many words and little action in helping Africa.
But why, in the UK, have there been riots at all? Are not all westerners wealthy and can afford to go out and buy a TV or clothes without resorting to stealing them?
No, they are not but the looting is a result, not a cause of the rioting. It was social unrest sparked by dissatisfaction. It is the difference between the “haves and the have nots†and a tangible way for the less fortunate’s to strike back with one voice.
British youngsters who live on depressing government owned housing estates and tenement blocks and who received poor education with little prospect of joining the world of aspiring achievers were determined to have their say.
And in this current world, it is easy to organise a riot…mobile phone connections and the internet make communication very easy and near impossible for the police to keep up with moving events.
In Uganda, I was told an interesting story of how the youngsters in an up country village were suddenly presented with television viewing in their one local bar. There in front of their eyes was a channel called MTV. It was about music, fashion, cars and style.
It was their thing in their town but how could they identify with it? They had no access to achieving all that these MTV western kids had access to. The gaping divide between the ‘haves and have nots’ was very apparent to them for the first time.
The seeds of civil unrest and rebellion were planted deep as the luxuries of the outside world became apparent to these youngsters. If others have this kind of life then why shouldn’t they?
But what can they do about it? Not a lot you will immediately respond and there you have it…frustration and impotency which fuels rebellion.
If the world is to progress with any sense of calm, dignity and safety not only must the politicians and leaders of this world realise that with mass communication things are changing then businessmen and religious leaders and the like have to realise that their world is changing too.
It is time to give back…it is time to create more equal opportunities and to show a thread of light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel for the under privileged. The people are fighting back all over the world.
The writer is a creative director