The Oldham Riots

[poliphilo]

The Oldham riots of May 2001 have branded the town. You'd think from the way they're remembered- from the way Khalid remembers them- that the whole place was in flames. In fact they were highly localised- confined to one or two streets.  We live less than a mile from the epicentre and all we heard or saw was the police helicopter chugging overhead. 

Oldham does have a problem with race. It simmers under. The Asian communities had been harassed and taunted and put upon for decades and finally the anger boiled over.  No-one was seriously hurt, a few cars were burned, the police got a smacking they almost certainly deserved, the windows of one or two racist pubs were put in- and notice had been served that things had to change. I've always thought the rioters deserved our thanks.

Comments

[ron-broxted.livejournal.com]

I was struck by how skinheads got short sentences but Asians far longer ones. Equality under the law? My arse!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, I noticed that too.

[airstrip.livejournal.com]

In my mind, riots happen because the non-violent means of society fail to defend justice in some egregious way. So I agree with the sentiment; it's as if the social contract broke down and we need a moment of violence to install a new one.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Exactly so. The only way the Asian community could get its grievances heard was to throw Molotov cocktails and break a few windows.