Thought for the Week: Rioting at Our Schools

We learn recently in the news that children in Bideford in Devon rioted when they were left unsupervised for half an hour. Isn’t it sad that young adults feel this way? Would it perhaps society at large who is at fault here? One may comment on this and admonish them for their actions, but in this case the media seem to have turned the tables on what is really happening. The immediate impression when we learn of the story is a whole school at riot, 1700 students. Then that’s toned down to 60, when in fact it was only 12 students who started what the media are referring to as a ‘riot’.

Are the visions in our own society being mirrored in what has happened here? Society creates barriers like these, where young people are made to appear criminal. Perhaps we should chastise the 12 ring-leaders, but would the way this article is written not give a bad impression of all the pupils? There are no such barriers or divisions in the eyes of God. His love embraces all his people.

Would it be fair to say this story is somehow distorted? Have the media distorted the true facts? So often we find in society instances were the facts have been distorted, perhaps due to one’s prejudices. Sometimes it’s necessary to look beyond the ‘facts’ that you have been given and arrange them in such a way that they make sense.
Too often we assume we know something we in fact don’t. Due to stereotypes and prejudices we will often judge people without truly knowing or understanding them or their situations. People judge others on their looks; that someone wearing a hooddie will be dangerous, young people rude and inconsiderate.

You will never know what people are like unless you get to know them. People can change. We all deserve a second chance. Just because someone has had a bad past it doesn’t mean they can’t have a positive future.