This weeks riots have cast a bright (or harsh) light on British society. As I wrote in my previous blog, all riots have a cause. Earlier today I skim read a book on riots in North East Wales since the 16th century:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rioting-North-East-Wales-1536-1918-Jones/dp/1872424554
The book begins with a chronological list of riots that have taken place in the region. Each and everyone of them had a cause. For example, the tithe riots in Flintshire during the 1880s were as a result of Welsh speaking farmers being forced to pay a tax to support the 'alien' Church of England. The Mold Riots of 1869 were about conditions in the local coal mines. In fact the celebrity historian Dan Snow - who had studied riots - went out on the streets this week to get a greater understanding of the dynamics involved in such frightening and fast moving events. The point I am making is that the riots of this week will be studied and debated for months and years to come and eventually consensus will form around a particular or predominant cause. And then an attempt will be made to seek reconciliation within the communities. History tells us that this process happens each time. Riot not revolution is the British way.
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