Counterpoint - The Perils of Disempowerment

17th. August 2011

Counterpoint - The Perils of Disempowerment
While the tyranny of distance seems to persist in much of our world, I felt a strong sense of immediacy as the London riots continued to affect much of my work this week. Night after night I was detained in the office for pre-booked satellite presentations, waiting for clients who were themselves held up by road closures due to the rioting. Many of us living far away from the turmoil wonder how people can destroy their own local communities, switching in moments from being law abiding citizens to opportunistic thieves, vandals, arsonists and worse. Are we truly the creatures of William Golding's "Lord of the Flies"?

The persistent failures of Blair's governance, together with the GFC, have resulted in the implementation of stringent macro-economic policies in the UK. But at the individual level, frustrated young people, trying to support families and eager for employment and the self-respect it brings, have become disenfranchised and disempowered. Unfortunately, the economic example of conditions preceding the London riots is not unique and is of immense social concern around the globe today. Daily, the US faces issues of gang violence in marginalized, predominantly ethnic communities. Australia has persistently failed to solve the problems of indigenous communities, and South African and many African nations are troubled by ongoing outbreaks of violence and civil war.

To witness such a remarkable, rapid descent into savagery in today's suburban Britain is an important lesson to us all. As Rotarians we often delve into the communities of others as well as our own and endeavor to improve them. As exemplified by the riots, one of the central needs of any given community is ownership, responsibility and empowerment. People engaged and empowered in their community are demonstrably proven to care more and achieve greater outcomes than those who exist in a patriarchal environment. This extends beyond the obvious issues of local governance to opportunities for feedback, design and implementation of social programmes, and health and unemployment support. In your next Rotary project, how can you increase social empowerment?

People without a voice will always find a way to be heard. For some, this means utilizing the compelling and attention demanding base qualities of human nature. Consider this: The London riots may not simply be an anarchistic breakdown of law and order at the superficial level, but rather a violent and explosive expression of abused trust in a disempowered and oppressed community.

Thinking globally, acting locally, 

Yours in Rotary Friendship, 

Jo Beilby

President 2011-12

Photo of workshop session from last week's meeting