Post #197684 by hewey on Fri, Nov 11, 2005 10:35 PM

We had similar riots down here in Australia too, not quite as bad, but required riot cops out every night. Same story, the people who in poor socio-economic positions. Slums would be the politically incorrect term. Started out with a few people and grew. When in that situation, the "mob" mentality takes over.

Cops who are the ones workin with the people on the streets recognised people who were making good progess in outreach programmes and the like. They just get sucked in by the action. When you are in a mob, you feel like you have power, and the media gives you attention. It isnt constructive, but the powerless feel empowered for a while, because they are getting attention.

Like a kid who gets no attention, misbehaving so mum will pay attention. Same deal, but obviously a bit more complicated.

Its not a race or a religion issue. But the people in the lower soco-economic areas tend to come from the minority races/religion, so it is related.

Everyone laughs at me because I am different. I laugh at everyone else because they are all the same.

[ Edited by: hewey 2005-11-11 22:39 ]