Feeling safe in Brixton: better or worse?

[Belushi]

What Hatboy says is true. People do not do things for "no reason". People might do stupid, hurtful horrible things, but these are usually an expression of anger and hurt, at themselves, other people, the world in general.

When I was a teen me and my mates would shout abuse at people in the street, humiliate them, start on them

We didnt do it because we were angry or hurt, we did it because it was fun, we liked the sense of power, and because we knew we could get away with it.

 

[ernestolynch]

When I was a teen me and my mates would shout abuse at people in the street, humiliate them, start on them

We didnt do it because we were angry or hurt, we did it because it was fun, we liked the sense of power, and because we knew we could get away with it.

Very true. Thankfully most people grow out of it.

 

[poster342002]

Very true. Thankfully most people grow out of it.

I get the feeling that there is a generation of people, nowadays, that aren't growing out of it. A lot of these assaults seem to have a moronically childish quality to them. A total lack of belief of any consequences is often apparent.

 

[ernestolynch]

I get the feeling that there is a generation of people, nowadays, that aren't growing out of it. A lot of these assaults seem to have a moronically childish quality to them. A total lack of belief of any consequences is often apparent.

I blame the teachers.

 

[poster342002]

ern...

 

[ernestolynch]

Yeah soz.

I dunno, what do you want me to say, 'Bring Back National Service'?

 

[Ms T]

I agree with IS -- there was a very bad period a few years ago when street muggings went into outer orbit and the aggressive begging round the tube was very bad -- but things seem to have gone back to normal now.

There is always a certain amount of "attitude" in Brixton -- usually from young people who are compensating for their lack of social status and other disadvantages. I try to deal with this by being as polite and pleasant as I can. Even the hardest of the hard are usually disarmed by a non-agressive attitude.

What happened to your friend, ed? I think I might have missed something...

 

[Blagsta]

we liked the sense of power

This is the important bit I believe. There is always a reason for these things, a feeling of power is one of them. People often feel powerless in our society, maybe shouting at people is a misguided way of trying to address that.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

What happened to your friend, ed? I think I might have missed something...

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=113439

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

wot christonabike said really...edited to add...although summertime is usually lairier than wintertime.

and school holidays, which is maybe why I've noticed a difference, Easter Holidays etc.

 

[ernestolynch]

This is the important bit I believe. There is always a reason for these things, a feeling of power is one of them. People often feel powerless in our society, maybe shouting at people is a misguided way of trying to address that.

I don't think you get what he means.

 

[Blagsta]

I don't think you get what he means.

I don't think you get what I mean, which is no surprise. You're hardly the most reflective of posters.

 

[poster342002]

This is the important bit I believe. There is always a reason for these things, a feeling of power is one of them. People often feel powerless in our society, maybe shouting at people is a misguided way of trying to address that.

It's a very cowardly way, though. I mean, rather than shouting at the powerful, shouting at those they percieve even less powrful and more vulnerable than themselves? Pathetic.

 

[eme]

A total lack of belief of any consequences is often apparent.

more to the point I reckon....

I think brixtons feels about the same anyhow..... no more no less....

 

[Blagsta]

It's a very cowardly way, though. I mean, rather than shouting at the powerful, shouting at those they percieve even less powrful and more vulnerable than themselves? Pathetic.

Yes it is cowardly. But messed up people are just that - messed up.

 

[ernestolynch]

Yes it is cowardly. But messed up people are just that - messed up.

You calling belushi messed up?

 

[Belushi]

This is the important bit I believe. There is always a reason for these things, a feeling of power is one of them. People often feel powerless in our society, maybe shouting at people is a misguided way of trying to address that.

Or maybe its a fun way to spend an evening if your an empathy free teen, secure in the knowledge that everyone is to scared to tackle you about it.

 

[hiccup]

I don't live in Brixton, but have spent a lot of time there, for work and pleasure, over the last 10 years, and I can't say it feels any more threatening than it ever has. I've stumbled round the place at all hours in all sorts of states and never had any problems (bar once being ripped off by a taxi tout. That was my own stupid fault though).

 

[aurora green]

I cant say I've noticed things turning for the worse, but I guess I'm not really about much in the evenings or late afternoon, which is when stuff happens.
I was thinking only the other day that things on my estate have been pretty quiet, I don't want to tempt fate, but I haven't seen a yellow police sign up for ages.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I don't want to tempt fate, but I haven't seen a yellow police sign up for ages.

Very true. Would agree with you there. Maybe they've been nicked?

 

[Ms T]

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=113439

 

[Hollis]

It's a very cowardly way, though. I mean, rather than shouting at the powerful, shouting at those they percieve even less powrful and more vulnerable than themselves? Pathetic.

Yeah - but goes on all the time don't it.. Why d'you think so many people drive badly, or get all aggressive about petty things.. its endemic.

 

[rennie]

Not in London but a horrific attack nonetheless. teenagers kill shopkeeper in frienzied attack

 

[Blagsta]

You calling belushi messed up?

Do you ever post anything remotely sensible?

 

[editor]

I was thinking only the other day that things on my estate have been pretty quiet, I don't want to tempt fate, but I haven't seen a yellow police sign up for ages.

There was one right outside the tube station recently. It wasn't as stylish as my sign, though.

 

[jbob]

Or maybe its a fun way to spend an evening if your an empathy free teen, secure in the knowledge that everyone is to scared to tackle you about it.

Too right. A lot of kids who spend there youth out of the parental home, after school are simply bored and pissing about. I used to do it, I don't believe it was any deep cry of inner torment. It was for fun. Not nice, but then teenage boys aren' t generally the nicest.

 

[Blagsta]

Or maybe its a fun way to spend an evening if your an empathy free teen, secure in the knowledge that everyone is to scared to tackle you about it.

But why think its fun? There are deeper reasons that "fun"

 

[jbob]

There's showing off to your mates, testing your boundaries, and just the plain enjoyment of being a cruel little shit.

 

[Blagsta]

There's showing off to your mates, testing your boundaries, and just the plain enjoyment of being a cruel little shit.

But why? And why do so many adults not have any empathy or understanding? Look into it a bit more. People often behave in anti-social or destructive ways without neccesarily being aware of the deeper underlying reasons. Teenage lads are often testing boundaries, sorting out pecking order, showing off etc, but surely as a society we could be channelling this in a more productive and fulfilling way?

 

[jbob]

Originally Posted by Blagsta

But why? And why do so many adults not have any empathy or understanding? Look into it a bit more. People often behave in anti-social or destructive ways without neccesarily being aware of the deeper underlying reasons. Teenage lads are often testing boundaries, sorting out pecking order, showing off etc, but surely as a society we could be channelling this in a more productive and fulfilling way?

I see what you're getting at, Blagsta. Is it not just the simple fact that kids behave in such ways because they can get away with it? I'm not sure that that this unifying idea of 'deep underlying problems' as it seems very much like some kind of post-modern excuse that ignores any kind of self-determinism on the part of the kids themselves. It completely absolves any sort of responsibility for their actions, which I actually find a little condescending. When I shouted at older people on buses or when they were on the other side of the road, I was fully aware of what I was doing and why I was doing it - for a laugh. And, when I got older and learnt it wasn't a laugh, I stopped doing it.