I feel that I have to take a break from my blogging schedule today because of how horrified I have been at the terrible riots that have been going on in London and now other parts of the UK over the past few days. I cannot describe to you how heartbroken I am to see the city I love ripped apart by ignorant people who's only motivation is to steal, loot and cause damage. Last night was harrowing as the majority of my dearest friends and loved ones work in London theatres and so were heading home just at the time that all hell was breaking loose. Thankfully they all reached their destinations unscathed, but many had horror stories of burning vehicles, gangs of masked thugs and even riots just outside their homes. I'm sure that these rioters feel that they have reasons for their behavior, but regardless of your financial, political or economical position there is no excuse for such a gross skewing of your moral compass. It is simply inexcusable and sickening.
This is not what this city is about. Living and working in London helped me become who I am today. I have met many of my closest friends in London, I fell in love with my Sweetheart here, and working here in theatre has been one of the greatest achievements and joys of my life. For me this has always been a city of possibilities and opportunity, and I cannot bear to see it's history and the livelihoods of so many people destroyed for absolutely no reason. I can only hope and pray that this whole terrible series of events is put to a swift end soon and that London will be left in peace.
To my overseas readers I ask you to please not judge our country on the behavior of a crazed minority, and for my UK and particularly my London readers please stay safe.
Love to you all xxx
13 comments:
Well Put!
I've have been soo angry and dismayed about this that I can hardly put in to words what I want to say!
It truly saddens me being a Londoner to see this going on in the city I love.
These people have no respect for their community or any one but themselves, they are just thugs, jumping on a bandwagon, I grew up with very little money but it made me appreciate what I did have rather than stealing and destroying other peoples possessions.
Stay Safe x
I was very sad to see what was going on there, I saw it yesterday for the first time. :( Hope you and everyone around you stays safe.
(And how sad that over here, living in a large city like London, there was not a word to be seen on one of our main local newspaper's web site this morning. I'm reminded why I shouldn't look for news there.)
I'm sorry you have to go through this. I hadn't heard it until you posted because we got rid of the TV last month and I've been lax in following the news. I live in BC and had to see my beloved Vancouver go through this - over a hockey game of all things - in June. Its heartbreaking that people get so ridiculous. :(
Prayers for you and for your city. Believe me, the rest of the world knows about thuggery, and does not judge a city because of the bad behavior of a few bad people. (Especially London, one of the most civilized cities on planet Earth.)
I'm sorry to hear about this and hope that things get better soon.
Nicely said. Take care too. I'm just praying that it's winding down rather than getting worse... Not only is there the physical damage but the psychological damage. It's just provoking fear and hatred and discrimination - Londoners against Londoners x
It is so awful, I hope you and your friends stay me and my colleagues got sent home from work as we work quite close to the riots in Salford. I spoke to one woman today who had lost her home due to the riots in London, it is atrocious. x
My boyfriend is originally from south of London (Redhill actually) and that's why these kind of news from UK always makes my heart skip a beat. I can only hope that all your loved ones will remain safe and unharmed.
Sometimes human behaviour just doesn't have excuse. That is very sad thing.
We've had plenty of that kind of thing here in the USA, so don't worry--I, for one, would never judge your city because of a handful of idiots. (I visited London about 30 years ago and loved it!) It is such a shame when people forget to be civilized. I hope things settle down quickly.
I was appalled at the riot in Vancouver after the hockey finals. I still refuse to believe it had a thing to do with hockey. There are gutter rat individuals who wait for the opportunity to act out. Sorry it's happening where you are.
I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm from Vancouver and having dealt with a riot this year, I get where you're coming from. The people that start these riots aren't protesters. They're well organised, *professional* rioters. It's a shame they feel the need to slander beautiful cities like this.
I hope you and your family and friends are all safe and stay that way, and I hope that sanity and order are restored soon.
I dare say few people overseas are judging the UK at all--I know all I feel is sadness and horror at what so many Londoners (and others in the cities affected) must be going through. My thoughts and well-wishes are with you and the many other UK bloggers I follow! *hugs*
I have never been to the UK, but have always had a love for England and the city of London, and so I took am so sad to see the violence and destruction going on in the city. I can't imagine how horrible it is for an actual Londoner! Love your blog, sorry that all this is going on :(
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