Riots in England

As riots spreads from Tottenham outward to engulf other parts of England memories of violence and looting during the inner city riots of the 80s under the premiership of Margaret Thatcher revisits the nation.

On 8th August as protests went out of hand and turned into a looting spree economic angst and anger of the blacks and other underprivileged ethnic minorities came to the fore.

Great Britain, the great haven of minorities burst into flames of violence sparked by their very own proteges.
The ostentatious purpose of the protests and riots was supposed to be the killing of the 28 year black youth by the police. The undercurrent was however different. It was frustration fuelled by years of economic deprivation and ghettoization of the depressed-class minorities.

Over the years a series of Enquiry Commissions had been instituted by the British Government to fathom the causes of periodic riots by the minorities. Each time the conclusion has been same. Outburst of repressed anger of the young black people against the police.

The riots have demolished the chimera of the multicultural utopia that is Britain is supposed to be.
Digest this :

· Ethnic minorities make about 8% of the total British population. Of this half comprise of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. One fourth of the minority population is of Blacks.
· Unemployement rates amongst the Black Africans, Bangladeshis and mixed ethnic groups are three times the rates for White British.
· There are seven times more Blacks than Whites in British jails.
· Tottenham, from where the recent riots got triggered, has fourth highest level of child poverty in London and an unemployment rate of 8.8%, double the national average.

The Tory-Liberal Democrat rule is still grappling with rising unemployment and is trying to find means to avoid spending cuts which would adversely affect the social welfare measures. These have a direct bearing on the underprivileged class, bracketing a large ethnic minority population.