by Wizzer
The Tottenham Riots That Ruined My Childhood
Aug 9 2011 in All by Wizzer
The riots in Tottenham this week have really saddened me. I won’t go on about the “criminality” of the acts of violence and looting – here isn’t the place. And there is always a much deeper rooted reason for everything that unless you are faced with exactly the same plight as the perpetrators you can never really understand – not that such acts can ever be condoned.
What has really upset me to the core is two things:
First, I lived in Tottenham as a young boy (our house was no more than 50 yards from the scene of the riots). If you are getting pictures on your news channels wherever you are in the world, you may have seen the burnt out building that was previously a carpet store. I walked past that building everyday for about 10 years. It used to be a department store – the Co-Op I think – and I can clearly remember buying my first set of darts there. Of course, Tottenham has changed dramatically since then and although it is very different it always brings back happy memories when I walk down Tottenham High Road to Spurs games. But now those memories are tainted with those scenes of violence and wanton destruction. What was a happy place for me is now full of hatred and desperation.
What depths of despair can people sink to that motivates them to go to such extremes? Yes, there’s a bit of the herd mentality where people act out of character because they get fired up by the crowd. But deep down everybody has a “regulator” mechanism. Why is it that some people can’t or won’t listen to it?
Second, and far, far more important than my childhood memories is the impact this has had on local business people. These are guys who are trying their hardest in a very deprived area to do something to make a better life for themselves and their families. Most are just making ends meet but their lives have been destroyed.
Their businesses have been looted, they have been violated and left with nothing but burnt our rubble where their business and possibly their dreams once stood. The insurance companies probably won’t pay out – riots and acts of God are omitted. How can anyone get over this?
If the rioters have a reason for their actions – supposedly a response to an act of the local police – then why oh why do they have to “hurt” the business people in their own communities? Whatever the grievance – these are not the people to blame nor are they the people who can change anything for these guys.
It is a very sad world we live in at times and my heart goes out to the innocent people who have had their lives shattered by these events.
Janet Clifford said on August 10, 2011
We have been watching the news with great shock and horror Mark – and hoping that my English IM friends are all safe. I think some kids are growing up with the regulator button not quite set properly. I read an article the other day about kids starting school that don’t even have any language skills because the parents have never talked to them! So how do these kids learn empathy for others? I just hope that they manage to get some of the perpetrators on video and track them down! I just saw a bit on the news tonight though about all of the people who went to the riot areas to help out and clean up. I still believe that there is more goodness in the world and our humanness allows us to rally together to help out in times of trouble, just as we saw with the floods this year.
Wizzer said on August 11, 2011
The vast majority of people are good, indeed. However, like a cancer, sometimes there is no cure and the condition just has to be managed as best it can. I really don’t know what can be done to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
Diana Strittmatter said on August 10, 2011
It really is sad Mark and yes, my heart goes out to all the business people whose lives are shattered as a result of this.
This is not your fault and there is nothing you can do about it. I do fault parents for raising monsters that create such a horrible destruction to a neighborhood.
While I can understand the sadness that this is causing you, try and push this aside and just focus on those wonderful childhood memories that you had. Those memories will always be yours to keep!
Wizzer said on August 11, 2011
I honestly fear for society! With such a blatant disregard for “right” and for other people how on earth can that attitude / way of living be changed in these people? When an area falls in to such decay and anarchy there is no simple solution and frankly I think the decline is likely tro increase. The perpetrators of these crimes need such enormous help to change their belief systems and mindset that I fear it is an impossible task.
Diana Strittmatter said on August 17, 2011
I agree with you Mark but it is what it is and we have no control over situations like this. We have them here in America as well. Life goes on so try and clear your mind and get rid of this horrible situation by thinking positive thoughts.
The Serenity prayer comes to mind here…
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Denise Grant said on August 22, 2011
I visited Tottenham many years ago and thought it was a charming town. I cold not believe the destruction I saw going on. That type of damage takes a long to to fix and heal.
My best wishes to all who have lost from this event.
Wizzer said on September 1, 2011
Well I never! Why were you visiting Tottenham? Seems a strange place to come to when there’s the whole of England to choose from – unless of course you are a closet football (soccer) fan!