Seeing how the riots are going down in London has got me thinking ... A lot of young people in this world either feel disconnected from society or entitled to everything they want. Clearly there is a whole bunch of other things that factor into the equation ... but the beginnings of the problems we see are either one of those.
If you are following the news of what is going on in London right now, the riots are not middle-aged people who are angry at the government or the state of the economy ... It's young people who are going out, being violent, and taking what they want. And it's not just London that has seen this problem. There are stories everyday where we see young people who just get up and start rioting for no reason whatsoever ... other than the fact that they are young, and there are lots of them, and they feel in control. Heck, Rutgersfest 2011 at Rutgers University saw mob scenes that ensued in one night that I had never seen in my combined six years at the school. And just this week, the mayor of Philadelphia announced stricter curfews for teenagers because of the growing trend of flash mobs turned violent in the city.
It's horrible because when I see things like this and hear that some of these kids are justifying their actions as "good fun" and then they go blame it on the government (yet they don't even know who their government is) ... It's just sad. Then they have the nerve to say that they are targeting rich people with businesses ... Do they not realize that a shop owner who sells grapefruits and pomegranates is not exactly making it big in London? It just makes me angry that they are trying to justify their clear lack of direction when what they are really doing is going out and having their version of a good time, and doing what they want, and getting what they want.
It's also sad when you read that some of these kids are not even teenagers yet and I imagine that they are just doing it for attention. They are basically throwing themselves on the ground, banging their hands and feet, and screaming like a four-year-old ... begging for someone to listen ... be it their parents, grandparents, a teacher ... someone. Just someone to reach out before they really screw up their life. These kids need a value system and some of them are probably begging for one, even if no one sees it.
I think it's good that London is starting to lay down the law and is arresting at a higher rate than in the past because these kids need a dose of reality. They need to know that their actions have consequences and that they can't just get away with doing what they want and getting what they want, because I'm sure some of them feel like they can.
I know you can't learn from my mistakes. You got your own roads you gotta take, and they might look like they're paved with gold. Just remember that you'll have to reap all the seeds you sow. Rebel Child, won't you heed my warning? One of these days the rain will come pouring. Some of those sunshine blue, sky mornings might just turn to gray. (Rebel Child, Gretchen Wilson)
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