Out of the Ashes: Britain after the riots - REVIEW

When I found out that David Lammy had written a book on the riots I was shocked. The riots took place in August and three months later a book is written and published, when David Cameron and so many others are still trying to work out why the riots spread to other areas and what exactly happened in the case of Mark Duggan.  I made my feelings known via twitter and caught the attention of his publisher who kindly sent me the book to read. Here are my thoughts...

As I held the book in my hand I turned over and read the back cover. My eyebrow instantly raised and numerous questions began formulating. “David Lammy MP predicted the riots of 2011 a year before they took place”. I do not recall Lammy making this explicit forecast and even if he did it just seemed strange to begin an overview of a book in this manner. The tone has an air of “I told you so” though who is this aimed at? The next sentence led to the same reaction “Following the violence he spoke passionately for his constituents”. I and many others remember that televised speech well. Unfortunately Lammy’s passion came across as patronising. As he spoke the dynamics were clear, he was the angry father and those who rioted in Tottenham were the naughty children. I acknowledge having to speak live in such circumstances is not easy, but for me that didn’t help morale at all.

November 9^th I was walking to work and David Lammy walked past me. I stopped him and introduced myself. I have never bumped into an MP and here he is, 3 days into me reading his book. Random, coincidence or synchronicity? Who knows. He was warm, open and engaging and told me he looked forward to reading my review.

David Lammy born in Tottenham and now the MP for this area speaks openly about his childhood, the riots in 1985 and 2011, Mark Duggan, society today and the potential solutions for society tomorrow. He has done what no other MP, to my knowledge has done and that is to connect the dots to give a wider perspective on various issues from family life, environment, class, behaviour, to the punishment and education system. I do not agree with all of his suggestions but nevertheless they have value.

His detailed account of Mark Duggan’s death is clear, supported by references and a description that brings to life the atmosphere along with the various emotions and confusion. Mark Duggan was killed by CO-19 (another firearms departments within the Met) as part of an Operation Trident investigation and not by local police, which Lammy raises as it’s a fact, whilst acknowledging that the relationship with the public and local police has improved since the first riots. Lammy seems to understand the impact past situations have had on this community, unfortunately it didn’t translate well through his speech because he chose to focus on “Don’t judge this area again please” tone, over the general overwhelming consensus among the people that another injustice took place. It’s all about balance and sensitivity which Lammy seemed to get wrong on this occasion.

 David Cameron was on holiday and returned on the 4^th day of rioting.  Young people feel like the government do not care about them and Cameron’s actions appeared to reaffirm that notion and not just to the young, but to the many. Lammy therefore played the tough talking role that perhaps was more suited for Cameron.

Commenting on today’s culture Lammy said...

 “The riots were an explosion of hedonism and nihilism. People with little to lose lashed out at authority and took what they wanted. The violence and the looting were driven by a sense that, for a few nights only, people could do whatever they pleased. Lives and livelihoods were treated as collateral damage in pursuit of self-gratification”.

I fully agree with his points however I would also argue that over four nights the rioters reflected the corrupt elite.The looters were opportunistic thieves which puts them in the same category as the greedy bankers and MP’s who abused the expenses. Society needs to change but from what end? The government or the people? Who reflects who?

At this point I think it is extremely important to mention that Lammy topped the list of parliamentary expenses. According to data from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, David Lammy claimed £173,922.06 in 2010-11, more than any of the 449 other MPs in parliament. Bearing in mind that Tottenham/Haringey is one of the most deprived boroughs in London, what does this say about Lammy?

I too agree that those who took part in the riots did so, not out of protest to the death/murder of Duggan, but an over-identification of hopelessness, abandonment, injustice and frustration. The wave of chaos was more than a copycat act. Spreading rapidly like a virus it reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell’s book The Tipping Point where he classified various situations, including riots as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, and the boiling point”. Numerous factors are taken into consideration to explain sociological and behavioural changes. As a result the riots, in my opinion was a "Tipping Point" moment due to collective identification. A wave of many sheep thinking they were above the law, due to the in action of the law. Instant gains was the goal whilst consequences, morals and values were no where to be seen.

 Malcolm Gladwell

Structured into 9 headings/chapters this book comments on Lammy’s observation on society today, which feels as though this was the route he was heading in before he “Re-focused.” Lammy makes some great points and his ideas overall are good because he has gone deeper to understand the cause behind the symptoms.

There is a chapter called Rights from Wrong and as I finished reading this book I was invited to watch the premiere of Riot from Wrong, a documentary by Fully Focused Productions whose aim was to “Search deeper though listening to the voices that they feel are not being heard”. 

The documentary is balanced, insightful, hard hitting, emotional, creative, informative and investigative in a Michael Moore-esqe way. The footage includes interviews with Mark Duggan’s aunt and brother, community activist Stafford Scott and Jason Nwansi, Michael Mansfield QC, David Lammy and views from those who gained (looters) and those who lost (victims). It also includes exclusive footage showing a Rodney King style beating of a 16 year old girl by the police. This documentary is powerful beyond measure and enlightening. The target market is everyone and due to its medium it will reach everyone, which is an important acknowledgement.

Lammy’s book is interesting and this “review” is longer than expected as it lead me to my own thought processes. However inspite of his transparent expressions about his upbringing and society as a whole, I still feel I don’t know who David Lammy is. The person I briefly met and the person who comes to life through the words on the page feel different and I think this is because he is writing as an MP and not as a person who happens to be an MP. Slight, but major difference.

During the riots of 1985, Lammy watched the events unfold on TV at school. He knew what was happening and why, though at that age felt unable to articulate himself and “defend” his area to his peers and friends. He went on to say “A quarter of a century later, I was representing Tottenham for real”. This line made my eyebrow raise again ,as it seems to have a “See I’m down with the kids” tone, which doesn’t sit well.  Lammy also makes parallels to this years riots and the Broadwater Farm  riots of 1985 and as result I think I should also do the same. 

Source:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Remembering-Cynthia-Jarrett/140040599357910

Broadwater Farm Riots 1985

Mark Duggan

Tottenham riots 2011

In 1985 Cynthia Jarrett’s death occurred at the hands of the police which led to the first Tottenham Riots. In 2011 Mark Duggan was killed by the police which led to the summer riots. The difference appears to be the two MP’s immediate responses in the aftermath of the riots. Bernie Grant demonstrated more understanding and empathy of his constituents and the reasons they rioted, whereas David Lammy’s initial televised response did not. It is for this reason that for many Tottenham residents, David Lammy will always be living in the shadow of Tottenham’s former MP the late Bernie Grant. 

 In reference to understanding the brutality and injustice that a lot of his constituents were facing from the police. Bernie Grant stood in Parliament and said  what “The police got was a bloody good hiding”.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/from-the-archive-blog/2011/aug/08/anger-tottenham-broadwater-riots-1985

Whether you think it's right or wrong there is always a reason behind a riot!

David Lammy is an MP who is a Member of the Public and appears passionate about finding positive solutions that benefit not just Tottenham but society as a whole. However in order for this to be effectively communicated he, unfortunately has to unlearn the collective clone-like MP traits that distance and not engage.

The inquiry into Duggan’s death is still ongoing, as is the changing accounts as to what EXACTLY happened. Witnesses are coming forward with new information; looters are being found and charged. Shops are still boarded up and people who lost their homes are still rebuilding. Were the riots triggered by police brutality on a young girl? Tottenham and other areas are not out of the ashes just yet. The title and subheading of this book is very much premature and fuels the opportunistic tone which was my concern at the beginning.

Lammy’s book is interesting as he appears to understand the sociological, environmental and economical factors that contribute to the ills of society. However this seems to be contradicted due to him topping the expenses claimant list. Society is broken and will remain that way if those in power continue to have a disconnection to the people they are there to serve. 


Additional Notes:
David Lammy's book is not for profit. All proceeds will go to charities in Tottenham, however these charities are currently unspecified.


Out of the Ashes:Britain after the riots by David Lammy
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Ashes-Britain-after-riots/dp/0852652674/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325520817&sr=1-1

© Lisa Bent 2012

Road Blocked

The Hospital, a channel 4 documentary which focused on knife crime in North London left me a tearful speechless wreck. Like the participants I struggled to understand why this was happening and how it all began and so I racked my brains until my head hurt.

“We are all destined to die, if it happens it happens” these are the words of Daniel a 16 year old boy who was knifed in the heart and survived. He had multiple organ failure and within 6 weeks had received 9 operations. His words shocked me but he echoes the mentality of the majority of young boys today, which is disturbing as it cheapens the gift of life.

Whilst death is inevitable no one deserves to die with fear in their eyes and heart. A life cut short in this way is murder. The growing numbers of people who have died since the wave of knife crimes were not destined to die in this way, many hadn’t even lived. Life is precious and on the streets of London it is being taken away in a blink of an eye with the glint of a blade. For what? What are they fighting for?

Respect is a word banded about so much that it has now lost its meaning, they are doing everything but respecting people, others and themselves. Plus this talk of post code turf war is absolutely absurd. These boys, young men, in gangs are killing each other because others have dared to enter into a place where they reside, which they must fight for and protect. Erm... what are they protecting exactly? London is so small you could be on a road that is one postcode one minute, turn left and be in another area the next.

It’s like something out of a wild life documentary by David Attenborough who observes that the un-expecting prey is pounced upon by a pack of lions, as it dared to enter their domain. But this is people we are talking about. Are we not meant to be more intelligent as we have a conscious, a higher sense of reasoning and a life that extends beyond day to day survival? For some evidently not made clear by Taurean, a 22 year old stabbed in a fight who gave a personal insight into what is happening in his area, the result being “Hackney is the centre of my universe.”

At this point I was incensed with anger, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, to name a few fought so hard to allow us to have greater freedom and right now, black boys feel trapped by numbers, letters, concrete and fear. We have gone backwards and I feel while they are turning in their graves, the BNP and Klu Clux Clan have their feet up with smiles on their faces.

Asked to shed light on why this is happening Taurean is just as baffled. If those directly involved or affected by this nonsense can’t explain why they are doing it, or why it is occurring then how can we as adults, provide help and guidance? So many bleat about how hard done by in life they are, yet they are the ones who have created these rules which have now become both their mental and physical prisons. Or have they? To understand this postcode restriction and random attacks, which is gang related, looking back to southern Los Angeles street gangs, the Crips and Bloods seems naively obvious.

These two violent street gangs began in 1969 between predominately African-Americans and Hispanics, both active and highly successful in the drug trade. New members were recruited by their environment, which were predominately poor African-American communities often of school age. Gang membership offered a sense of belonging, protection and immediate gratification to the economically disadvantaged youth, who equated gang life to gold Jewellery, cash, nice cars and expensive sports clothes.

The Crips adopted the colour blue for their clothing and Bloods red to identify and differentiate themselves. "Cuzz," short for cousin was the greeting term adopted by the Crips in greeting each other, whilst the Bloods used “Blood” as a symbol for their gang family. All gang members were identified by a nickname, AKA or street name, which usually gave an insight into their psychological perspective of themselves.

There are evidently clear similarities with gangs in the UK! Fascinated by American culture perhaps this is where all this stems from. From as early as I can remember it was said that Britain was 10 years behind America. Well it is now on our doorstep in all its self-fulfilling prophecy glory. As gangs in America are supposedly dying out, it is rapidly growing here. Apparently there are 36 gangs operating in the borough of Lambeth alone!

The senseless killings are about gaining “stripes” projecting a “bad man” exterior coupled with “I’ll get you before you get me” This is not a spaghetti film or a music video. There is no director that will shout “cut” signalling them to wake up from their collapsed position and wipe away the fake blood. Unfortunately the reality may come too late for some. A young decision, an action or reaction can have lifetime consequences.

Whilst emulation has occurred due to the glorification of gang life in films and music, I am still left contemplating as to whether there are more reasons. What is it that makes an experience elsewhere, resonate so much here? Is it identification with wanting more? The socio-political unbalance? Or the immediate identification with people who are of the same colour? I came across a trailer called Crips and Blood: Made in America, a documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, revealing the modern-day gang life: the turf wars and territorialism, the inter-gang hierarchy, rules of behaviour, the culture of guns, death and dishonour. Within the 2 minutes 46 seconds, a respondent revealed that the Crips formed as a result of frustration and anger as a result of racism, discrimination and injustice: 

I thought further and remembered a quote by Alice Walker who said “Men make war to get attention. All killing is an expression of self-hate”. This notion of self hate coupled with the knowledge of racism and Internalized Oppression, a term coined by Black Psychologist Frantz Fanon which highlights the ongoing impact slavery; imperialism and colonisation have on the psychical levels, should be considered together for further exploration (I will attempt this in a future article). For now I ponder whether this is the frustrated powerless exercising what they deem to be power and control?

As Daniel looked at his family around him he broke down. Although he didn’t say much, the pain and fear in his eyes spoke volumes; he looked like a scared lost deer which was a horrible sight that triggered my tears to flow. The reality of what he had been through, the love and worry of his family surrounding him and the new and very real struggle back to recovery seemed to hit home in that one moment. Daniel upon facing death was glad and grateful to be alive and the hard words expressed earlier revealed themselves to be fake bravado, empty, selfish and valueless.

As well as the physical injuries Daniel and so many other survivors of knife crime and crime in general, must now also strive to overcome the psychological damage which is just as crippling. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common amongst anyone who has been in a life threatening situation. PSTD is likely if the person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:

“The person experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others. The person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror” (Scott et al., 1995, p.78).

Direct related signs of PTSD will include heart palpitations, anxiousness, distressing dreams; unpleasant and intrusive thoughts, disruptions of behaviour, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, and a return of fear. PTSD was first documented amongst war veterans but is now also associated with experiences such as child sexual abuse, rape, terrorist bombings, vehicle accidents, physical or emotional abuse and natural disasters such as earthquakes. The meaning and order of the world for survivors crumbles beneath them. Their sense of self worth, safety, stability and sense of control is compromised and shattered. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered to be the appropriate intervention for PTSD.

At this point my mind crossed over to the perpetrator. Yes, he plunged the knife in cold blood with no conscience or respect for life and ran off, not sticking around to hear the sirens and the chaos thereafter. So why should I, we care? The perpetrator would have smelt the fear, his own and his victims. Seen the blood, his own and/or his victims and as their eyes met in this surreal but very real situation of aggression, fake bravado and survival, will too have seen the mirrored truth, which he knows and feels in the reflected eyes of the other, FEAR!

As the perpetrator, the cause, but also the witness, PSTD is likely and I wonder how he deals with the memories at night and in the day? The psychological distress must be high as the potentiality of a mental health disorder. Two birds are killed with one stone. The perpetrator and victim are both scarred. There are no winners here!

The Hospital series is an eye opener as it directly voices the opinions of the issues that affect young people, giving an insight into their world view. Whilst my emotions and frustrations dipped and dived throughout, I acknowledge that this is what they are going through. This is what they know, all they know. This is what they are dealing with and they cannot see bigger or beyond the end of their road due to fear, attack and tunnel vision. So what do we do about it? What happens next? After all, we are the adults who can see that Hackney is not the centre of the universe.

Gangs and post code wars were perhaps structures built on top of the foundations of fear, pain, frustration and powerlessness, however these structures only serve to be visual, mental and physical road blocks to potential, self development and a future.

The reality of the situation needs to hit home to these youngsters and fast. Prisoners and reformed gang members need to directly show the way, as whilst this series is absolutely brilliant, I am convinced that those who needed to watch it for a wake up call, were out on the street...defending their area!

©2010 Lisa Bent