Two Tribes Go to War2

Why are young men taking on a gang mentality and becoming involved with violent clashes? Recently, violence flared up between groups of men belonging to Unite Against Fascism and the right wing Casuals United at a Birmingham protest. 35 people were arrested, from both sides, and many were injured. Would these young men behave like this if they were on their own? If other people are acting in this way does it make it okay for me to act this way? Is this pack mentality the reason things ‘kick off’ and violence becomes acceptable?

Are media reports of the ‘enemy within’ and terrorism feeding into young men’s 21^st century fear and anger at losing their jobs and being skint? We’ve seen it before. In the 1980’s, riots erupted across the United Kingdom at an alarming rate. Unemployment rose from 1.5 million to 2.5 million in 12 months, similar to levels we see in the present credit crunch. In the hot summers of 1981 and 1985 Black British and Asian individuals clashed in Handsworth, Birmingham. Violent racism arose from poor social conditions and unemployment, with 35 people ending up injured and 2 dead.

People suggested that the influx of migrant workers taking low paid jobs in the 1970’s led to a generation of frustrated British youth out of work. Will history repeat itself with the credit crunch squeezing young men out of jobs? (link) Are we about to see similar events nationwide?

Leaders of Casuals United say their diverse members come from many different backgrounds including businessmen.  What makes sorted people with jobs want to be part of a rioting mob? Is something missing in their lives too? Do we all crave a ‘tribe’ identity? Commentators have suggested that members of groups such as Casuals United are mostly former football hooligans drawn from the terraces. Recent violence between fans at a West Ham v. Millwall football match was shocking, and took many back to the so-called ‘dark days of football’, in the late 1970s when violence was much more common. Is this also a warning of what is to come?

Do such organisations and riots give a feeling of belonging to a generation of disillusioned, unemployed and angry young men?

Being out of work can sometimes feel like you are contributing nothing to society.  This is stressful, frustrating and depressing. A job means an identity, a sense of belonging. But there are other ways to find this. How about joining a sports team? Exercise is a great way of relieving tension, and being part of a team with a common goal can give purpose and be pretty fun. Volunteering with youth groups could make you feel part of an inner city community. Would this go some way to belonging? Sometimes a group identity can be a positive thing. How about civil rights protests? Anti-war demos?

Are you part of a ‘tribe’? Is it supporting a football team? Listening to certain bands? ………Let us know what gives you a feeling of belonging…

Links

Volunteering –

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/

http://www.do-it.org.uk/

http://www.timebank.org.uk/

Civil rights –

http://www.stopwar.org.uk/

http://www.proudtobemad.co.uk/posters.html

http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/

News links –

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/07/11/birmingham-city-centre-rally-unites-against-racism-97319-24126250/

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-arrest-35-at-birmingham-protest-1770030.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/09/defence-league-casuals-birmingham-islam

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/26/west-ham-millwall-violence-fa