“What
has community ever done for me?”
So Im
sure (at the time of writing this) we have all been thoroughly aware
of the complete anarchy being bred in London; anarchy that has slowly
infected the 'imaginations' of other copycat groups in cities across
the UK. Even in Reading our nearest town. Little did I know, the
first day that I concieved of this article, that the riots would not
be a one night only affair. But instead something that has been
playing across the pages of our newspapers for the last 5 days. With
varying degrees of severity.
Initially
I responded by asking the same questions that im sure most people
did.
- Why are the riots happening in the first place?
- Where are the police. Is the government supporting the police forces as much as they should be, and if not then are they in part responsible for the overwhelmed forces in London that first night.
But it
soon became clear that these questions where narrow. They barely
scrape the surface of what we began to see in subsequent days
following the first riots. Pillaging and looting for no apparent
reason. Destruction of hard working, honest peoples property and
business. Complete wanton attitude towards the consequences. And more
importantly for some. A complete disregard as to the reasons why. You
can cite tax rises . . . but some of those kids (as young as 11) have
probably never paid a tax in their lives. You can cite unemployment,
but then if your protesting for more job opportunities why would you
destroy the businesses that could potentially be your next paid work.
It is a recklessness and complete lack of concience to a degree that
humans have long known they are capable of but for a good few
hundred years have slowly begun to ignore. It has literally made
people feel ashamed to be human. You only had to log onto facebook
for 5 minutes to know that. A race capable of understanding ourselves
and the world around us to degrees no other species has ever
achieved. And yet we still have the capacity to fall back into
grooves that we cut into ourselves thousands of years ago as cavemen
waring over the waterhole.
The
Whole thing was so far fetched it almost began to seem fictional. It
was an entirely reasonable belief to think that maybe Batman would
come and sort all this out for us.
It was
not to be.
On the
first day of research for this article I went out into pangbourne and
began to ask people questions. Pangbourne is an interesting place to
begin in that we are a unique village of people. We have everything.
Every age, salary and creed. An almost complete cross section of a
modern society contained in a village only a mile or two from side
to side. I talked to people about the riots in Tottenham and asked
them questions about our village. Are there problems in the village
and if so what are (in your opinion) the causes? Are the Police a
positive force in Pangbourne? Are they the whimsical police of days
gone by that everyone in the village knows. The policeman and the
postman that would pop in for a cup of tea and a slice of flapjack.
The
results where more or less to be expected. Having lived in Pangbourne
for 12 years myself I could have answered all these questions anyway.
But as always with these things there is no right or wrong answer.
Only opinion.
For
example. The general concensus is that we as a village do mnot have
problems. Sure maybe a bit of litter by the river from time to time
when its sunny. But not problems quite to the extent where your kids
can be shot for wandering into the wrong postcode area.
Unfortunately
the police where generally considered to be an invisible force.
Though that is not through lack of trying. Im sure were all aware of
the work they do at the local primary schools. With the girl guide
groups and generally, in the local area. Most people seemed to
understand that the only reason we dont see them that much is due to
the vast area of land they have to patrol compared to the number of
police available. A sad but real truth.
Maybe
there is a sense in Pangbourne that old and young sometimes come to
loggerheads when it comes to undertsanding eachothers needs within
the village. But every single person I spoke to said that this is so
small as to hardly ever cause a real problem.
The most
telling response from the village however was resounding. When asked,
“Do
you think Pangbourne has a good community spirit?”
The
answer was always an assured yes! YES!
We as a
village have a great community spirit.
When
asked however,
“Does
community spirit mean much to people anymore? What with the Internet
and over 700+ channels on the television.”
The
answer was no. Especially as each new generation grows it becomes
less and less important. Or so the opinion goes.
All of
this left me thinking about my generation and what it is that has
dissasociated us with our communities. Not just in Pangbourne but in
places like London as well. Am I just another youth, born in a wave
of consumer whores. Never to know or even understand and respect my
neighbours and local business when I have everything I need on a
screen in my bedroom? I could buy all my shopping online, I could
conceivably never visit the village of Pangbourne if I so wished. Is
all I care about where my next wage packet can be spent.
And so
it is that I stumbled upon a key. A way to unlock the potential of a
generation and restore normality in a world where your next door
neighbour is a legitimate target for arson.
The
answer is of course COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
I have
rcecently been lucky enough to spend a few months in China. In
Nanjing. A place that stands as a great example of how community
spirit not only commands respect between individuals but actually
measurably reduces crime. Of course you can always say the Chinese
government are a lot less tolerant of criminals. But then so is
America. And they have one of the highest crime rates in the world.
In China
you could go to the park in the evening and see old and young
together. Listening to music of myriad genres. Flying kites. Playing
Mahjong. Basketball. Bearing in mind as well that nanjing is a very
very modern city.
One of
my colluegues once said that crime in China is less of a problem
because if you commit a crime, your not only bringing direspect upon
yourself. But you are also bringing disrespect upon your whole
family. Of course this is born of a way of life where up to 4
generations will commonly share flooorspace.
When
asked where a friend who lived in Nanjing had got so good at drawing.
She pointed strait to an old man who has sat and drawn with her, and
about 3 other young teens, almost every evening. They respect him for
sharing his time with them. And he respects them for their enthusiasm
to learn.
It is a
commendable place and I believe we in Pangbourne are just as lucky to
live in such an environement. You can walk through the village or sit
by the river and within 5 minutes your bound to bump into someone you
know if not by name then in passing. Someone in Collins DIY mentioned
that the village support for the local trade is phenomenal. Greens,
Garlands, Collins, etc. etc. Are all supported literally and
metaphorically by the families and friends in the village.
You can
meet like minded people wherever you go in Pangbourne. Whether in the
cafes. Parents at the school gates. Even clubs in the evenings that
range from Tennis, Badminton, Cricket, Football, Canoing, Scrabble,
Book reading. The list is endless. And every year there is a
multitude of events that bring the village together in support of a
common focus. The Pangbourne and Sulham Village fetes. The November
memorials. The 10k fun run. The pangbourne primary school bonfire
night.
I
strongly believe that this is a way of life that should never be
allowed to die out.
Sadly
though in some places I believe it has. Places like Tottenham. A
divided community of religion and race and football team. The riots
are a by product of this. Its a whole lot easier to burn your
neighbours house or ransack your local corner shop when you have
never met the people of whoms lives you are destroying. Of course
there are reasons that stack on top of this. No one is pretending
that the government are doing a good job in bringing out the best in
the younger generations. But a good community spirit is core. A good
community has something for everyone. Young and old, rich and poor.
It will include the disenchanted youth and the out of touch older
generations. And respect and work towards the local area and the
people who live in it. Building a better place to live and building a
degree of trust that ties people together even in the most horrendous
of circumstances.
So,
residents of Pangbourne. Remember to never lose this way of life.
Sure community spirit involves effort. But the rewards im sure youll
agree are more than worth it. New friends and an extended family that
at points could stretch to everyone in your village if the need is
great. (Take the floods for example).
Disregard
the nanny state that we live in and throw a street party. Build a
bonfire so big this year at the Pangbourne Primary school fireworks
night that when it is alight. Its flames will be seen all the way in
London where rioters sat in cells will see us and know that they are
missing out. Encourage this way of life everywhere you go. In your
work place, in your home and in your neighbourhoods. And most
importantly especially us students who branch out all over the
coutnry every September. Take this way of life with you. Be the
person that brings people together.
Ill
leave you with one last example.
“I was
in London last week with my sister waiting on a train in hammersmith
station. A german lad comes down the steps with his mates and has
obviously had a couple of drinks as he is singing at the top of his
voice. Seeing me he decides to get right in my face and sing. I didnt
know who he was, or understand what on earth he was doing or even
saying. Its at points like this that it is easy to let fear of the
unknown dictate your choices. What if hes dangerous?
I said
to him instead. “Im sorry . . . mein deutsche ist nicht so gut.”
Instantly
the mood changed. He explained to me that he is from switzerland and
they speak a slighty different dialect there. And then went on to ask
me where is good in London for rock music. (I told him Camden) hope I
was right.
My point
is that the most basic of human connection is all that is needed.
Human connection is what makes the world go round. Human connection
is what brings people from all over together. And right about now, I
think that is something we could all see the value in believing.
