It might not entirely be about poverty and I agree it's not necessarily about background etc... But sld's point was well put that there is a disproportionate skew of that lack of respect for authority and law in the poorer communities and possibly less well represented people.
I heard an interesting interview on LBC this morning - it was a black police officer. I'm compeletely paraphrasing so excuse me for that but it went along the lines of:
I think that's quite telling - the way the black police officer was speaking was quite sobering. He sounded well educated and clearly passionate about his job, but so saddened by the reaction of his peers and community. I think it says a lot at the segregation there is in our society that there is very much this "them and us" mentality still on going in SOME of the black community.
It's tragic and sad, as again it's only the most exuberant that are heard, the most prolific and outspoken that people notice - and unfortunately they seem to be the ones that the younger members of the community follow and cheer on.
Why is it that some communities can integrate and hold such different attitudes?
I was rather surprised by this police officer's take on things - I think we all "knew" indirectly that there has been a little bit of tension in the black community - but nothing on this scale.
Heck, there were even a bunch from the Turkish community in Bristol I think creating a block to their properties and shops - they're taking a stand, shame we don't see that from the rest of the communities.
Awful awful awful. No wonder more and more people are racist and so intollerant these days.
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