The ‘must-have’ generation

Phew, what a relief, local ‘experts’ do not predict riots in Malta.

I know that news here is mild compared to what is happening everywhere else, but still! “There will never be the necessary passion for riot frenzy” was the quote in The Times that summed it up for me. What an indictment on Maltese youth.

So much is being said about what spurred the violence and looting in the UK and the media is having a field day. Everyone has a theory and quite a bit of fascism and worse has risen to the surface.

Of course, many of us say we believe in the right to oppose. It is when opposition is manifested in thuggery that some people overreact. I know that some of you would already be raising an eyebrow at my using the word “overreact”.

“Surely she is not condoning the violence”, I can hear some people say. I do not condone the criminal behaviour of those who committed arson, damaged property and helped themselves to Plasma TVs and other ‘must-have’ items.

Nevertheless, society has to accept that we are bombarded through our letterboxes and especially on television, which sits in every living room of even the poorest amongst us, with items that are expensive but that we ‘really should have’!

The young are the most susceptible to the constant marketing and since they are subjected to the regular mantra that they simply must have a Plasma TV, a Smart phone or Ipad and they cannot afford to buy them, the straw finally broke and they reacted in the way they did.

Of course, what they did was wrong and the fracas was appalling, but I will not join the “send them to Afghanistan” brigade.  Or, much worse, agree with atrocious vengeance like: “The cops should use Maltese fireworks (the serious rockets) at ground level and take out as many legs and kneecaps as possible and then leave the looters, arsonists, etc laying, bleeding in the gutters.”

The latter appeared in the comments section of the Malta Times online. The man proposing such extreme revenge also believes that thieves should have their hands cut off and liars their tongues cut out! Wow, the latter should leave some politicians, not to mention many others speechless.

The writer who must belong to the Maltese version of the Taliban said, “I received the cane in school with my pants down in front of the whole morning assembly.Very minor offences, I should mention. Did this make me a respectful and considerate adult? You bet it did!”

Well, that explains how the humiliation he was exposed to as a child has damaged his outlook on how to deal with wrongdoers. I am not sure how “considerate” fits in with his sadistic intentions, but I am no expert.

Interestingly, there was no trace of vengeance in the reactions of a father whose son was killed in the riots and whose words were praised by the police for doing more to quieten things down than the police could. Nor were any venomous words forthcoming from the young man whose possessions were stolen by rioters, who pretended to come to his aid as he bled from a broken jaw.

Another commentator’s advice was to reduce our streets to a war zone “The police had better gear up. A good stock of tear gas and 50, 000 volt Tasers to start with. And loaded guns are always a good idea. I personally believe the UK should be using tanks and snipers against them.” Now if you ask me, this person is a good candidate to volunteer to fight in Afghanistan where he could put his ideas into action.

The issue of the riots in the UK is complex. Sure, the fact that black youths are more likely to be targeted in ‘stop and search’ by the police is a factor. Besides, the current financial crisis and unemployment is another reason for discontent. Especially, since the current young generation have been brought up to believe that we can all live in the lap of luxury, surrounded by the latest in technology, driving fast cars and wearing designer garb.

But, the dynamic that sparked the UK riots goes deeper. The make up of the rioters cut across race, class and financial bracket. Why would employed young people, some professionals, 11-year-olds, the 19-year-old daughter of a company director who is currently at Exeter University and a 17-year-old ballerina want to pillage, as though their country was at war?

These people are not part of ‘gang culture’. So why did they do it? Is it the role models they see on music television stations?

The barely clad, foul mouthed youth who have made it despite their backgrounds and who seem to spread the message that “you can have everything you want, baby”.

Is it the lack of good parenting? Is it the violence they are exposed to daily on their television screens?

It is probably, a mix of all those things. Nevertheless, they cannot shift all the blame away from themselves.

(Apologies to those who already read this on my Facebook wall post on Friday, but I had to include the following). They could do with some straight talking, like that doled out by Michael A. Nutter (don’t be deceived by his surname) the Mayor of Philadelphia in the US, who after a recent spate of “flash mob” attacks by African-American youths had this to say, which applies across the board and not just to Afro-American youth:

“Take those God-darn hoodies down, especially in the summer. Pull your pants up and buy a belt ’cause no one wants to see your underwear or the crack of your butt.

“If you walk into somebody’s office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won’t hire you? They don’t hire you ’cause you look like you’re crazy.”

Absentee fathers, (this also applies widely) got a lash of Nutter’s wit as well, “The Immaculate Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ took place a long time ago, and it didn’t happen here in Philadelphia. So every one of these kids has two parents who were around and participating at the time. They need to be around now.

“If you’re just hanging out, out there, maybe you’re sending them a check or bringing some cash by. That’s not being a father. You’re just a human ATM… And if you’re not providing the guidance and you’re not sending any money, you’re just a sperm donor.”

However, besides the misguided youth, possibly with absentee fathers, who went on the rampage, there were the usual opportunists - hardened criminals, violent thugs and mindless anarchists - who took advantage of the situation. And who, unfortunately, will be the ones most likely to slip through the net of the police backlash. Anyway, that is my reading of the situation. But, I am no expert.