“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle” – 2 Samuel 11:1

My thoughts on the current unrest in London, Sunderland, and Southport.

It’s interesting to see how surprised we are these days when we see wars on TV and anarchy on our streets.

Humans are irrational beings. Most of our rational thoughts emerged over a very long period of time and are reinforced through institutions like family, community, schools, religion, popular culture, the media, and collective consciousness which often materialises as public opinion.

In times past there were seasons when violent energy was channeled away from the tribe to conflicts with other tribes. And within tribes, instruments of law and order and competitive sports were often used to contain violence.

So, with a break from the premier league, completion of European Cup, beautiful weather, heavy dose of violence over a prolonged period on our screens through the coverage of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, less money and opportunities to go round; the stabbing of the children in Southport could not have happened at a worse time.

Perhaps these developments are not too dissimilar from the timing of the death of George Floyd during the covid outbreak and the global lockdown.

With time on our hands and slower days we had thinking space to reflect on what we saw, ask questions, demand answers.

But sadly we have not been given the space to grieve, reflect, ask questions, and demand answers this time.

The sad incident has been hijacked by people and groups that are already disgruntled and resentful. Resentments is a powerful emotion. And with our prison system at the brink of collapse these civil disturbances could not have happened at a worse time.

The new government is quickly facing the realities of democracy. With lots of conflicting priorities, limited cash, and little wiggle room for manoeuvre; it seems already that they are in for a very rough ride.