Published on 12, July, 2020
We all get flustered by debate. However, we need mutual respect for each other.
Complaining about the opinions of others only makes them more antagonistic. It would be like throwing water onto a fire in a Chip Fryer. The flame ceases by dosing a rag, to be placed on top of the pan. In other words, let things settle.
We shouldn't live in fear. Enforced serenity isn't the answer. Safety-first created increased nihilism, especially amongst young men. Rather than respect, they're going out of the way to upset.
It reflects our society, which is motivated primarily by bottom-line finances and a fear of authority. Rather than teaching youngsters to defend themselves, we're 'keeping them out of harm's way'. Therefore, they don't get the opportunity to grow up.
The reaction of Social Media shows that the failure to nurture healthy conversation means that 'debate' is more about who wins than who's right.
Defamation of others is nasty, and cynical.
History has always been written by the victors, there has always been defamation of others and othering. I do agree that we coddle our young to much, young people today seem to be tied to the parental apron strings far longer than I think is good for them. Whilst I dont' think ending school at 14 or 16 is a good idea, I do think allowing them part time work is a good idea and promotes self reliance and a good ethic at a time when I think many are ready for it.
Some would say that people don't fear the authorities enough, that young people have no respect, I think that to gain respect you have to give it, it has to be earned.
Looking at the age of those rioting, many of them wern't young, they were fully mature adults, one imprisoned for his part in the riots was 69, what hope for his grandchildren and maybe great grandchildren with him as an example?
I'm sure many people feel left behind and that they don't matter as anything more than wealth accumulation units, who can be disposed of at the will of their employers, or relieved of any redundancy money by unscrupulous banks and agencies telling them to go self employed, only to pull the rug out from under them a few months later.
One of the complaints is that migrants get housed in luxury accomodation, but lets unpack what luxury actually means in this context. A luxury house or flat, in reality mean one that has enough room for a bed and a wardrobe in the same room, or a living room with enough space for decent sized sofa. It's no wonder so many people prefer Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, they actually have enough room to live in. There seems to be a disconect between what luxury for "us" means and whats "luxury" for the wealthy. Those outside the south east see high wages, but don't really consider that that money dosen't go very far, that poverty exists in the south east, it's not immigration thsts the problem, but the greed of those in power.
I think the playing field is isn't a field its a slippery slope that many of us can't see a way of getting see a way of climbing, we all seem stuck in a muddy ditch at the bottom, fighting over the backs of others to get out of it. Then we have those who have scrambled their way up kicking those of us coming up behind back down again.