The Riots six months on

Leaders must lead not follow.

There were very few political leaders, Black or white, who were prepared to stand firm and explain an uncomfortable truth about some of collective elements that were key factors during last  summer’s riots, including: the death of Mark Duggan, shocking levels of BME Stop and Search and high levels of unemployment.

Most politicians saw which way the political wind was blowing and followed suit. A few not only condemned those taking in the disturbances - rightly so - but also damned them too. As a consequence, the floodgates of racist hell was let loose on a scale we haven't seen for thirty years. 'What is the problem with the Black community?', announced LBC and BBC London 24hours later. Newsnight convened a round table discussion to talk about 'gang's. Black reactioners pointed the finger at the whole of the Black community as being consumed in ‘victimhood'. Radio 4 commissioned the xenophobic Director of Demos, David Goodhart, to make a divide and rule programme about the 'progressive' Black politician, who barely talks about race inequality and the old guard who do.

Four months after the riots, Britian’s Black communities were facing a sustained attack on so many fronts it was difficult to know which 'fire to fight'. The economic downturn and the public sector cuts were beginning to bite, youth provisions slashed, Black deaths in custody and Stop and search rates were going through the roof, and the riots, whether you were Black or White, were being blamed on something within the Black culture that led all youths to behave in a certain manner.

Then, on Jan 3rd the impossible occurred. After nearly 20 years of fighting for justice, two men were convicted of Stephen Lawrence's murder. The aftermath of the conviction forced society to reflect how far we'd come in dealing with entrenched and persistent institutional racism. The lamentable findings told us not very far. Yes, we had more BME MPs and Judges, but Black youth unemployment levels were at record high, senior police officers and civil servants were being lost at alarming rates. The number of Black children being excluded had not come down, and worst of all, too many Black youths had little or no hope of their future.

Not surprisingly the latest report into the summer riots therefore concludes that key contributor factors include: A breakdown of relations between the police and public, record youth unemployment, poverty and deprivation.

Yesterday, hundreds of residents gathered on Haringey Town hall to hear the findings. To the outrage of those residents and the local MP David Lammy, the police declined an offer to be there.

During those tumultuous days during and after the riots, I am proud of those including Darcus Howe, Lee Jasper, Pastor Nims Obunge and ourselves who stayed resolute in telling an uncomfortable truth. Yes, we condemned the criminality, especially those who endangered lives, but we also sought to explain the contributory factor, which were in no way an excuse for what had occurred but would help us avoid such problems in future.

Key to communities finding a way out these problems, including the demonisation is leadership. Community leadership.

Simon Woolley