Tottenham Riots Response
On the 4th of August in 2011, Mark Duggan was shot twice and killed by armed forces. There was no complete justification or certified evidence to prove the fact that Mark Duggan was a threat towards the police. It can only be said, therefore, that the action taken by the armed forces to shoot him was not necessary, and all this because one officer thought he saw Mark Duggan reaching to shoot a gun. He was not certain, but he thought he saw a gun. You, however, are quite certain. According to you, the London riots happened because of black people and their natural link with crime. I disagree and I will explain why I do.
In the world that we live in today, the colour of our skin says a lot about us as people. By the colour of our skin, the people around us can make assumptions about who we are, what we are associated with, and where we will be in the future. For black people, unfortunately, what we are associated with is crime. People will do this before even thinking about opening their mouths to communicate with us. Speaking as one of that majority who are stereotyped in this way, I refuse to be labelled in the same category, and I’d like to see the same for my people. You say “What colour is Mark Duggan?” Mark Duggan was black and this is why he was killed. The case concluded that the officer that shot Mark Duggan did not fire shots in belief that Mark Duggan was a threat, and that he did not use lawful force through this action. This leaves no other explanation as to why Mark Duggan was killed. We can only assume that he was killed because of the police’s perception of black people.
Thinking differently and not judging could be the difference between a murderer and an innocent black teenager. Until this happens, when the opposing race look at black people and automatically come up with assumptions there will be a retaliation from the black people who think that it is wrong. Mark Duggan’s death, which was proven necessary by the authorities, will continue to be unjustified until there is a full explanation as to why he needed to be shot and killed. I believe that the colour of Mark Duggan’s skin is the reason as to why he is dead today.
A continuing problem in the UK is where police abuse their rights and treat certain groups of the community unfairly. There has been numerous times where I have been stopped and searched by the police, and I would ask them why and they would only tell me to remain silent or not tell me at all. For every 1 white person stopped there are 17 black people stopped and searched. Also, since 1998 333 black people have died in police custody and no police have been convicted. This history of police records gives a clear understanding as to why the riots are justified. With statistics like these the community has a relevant explanation as to why they should not put their trust in the police. Also this will continue to cause a negative relationship between black teenage boys and the police.
February 9, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Hi Kaylan,
The grade for this will come in low because although you have written a solid argument, you do not directly address the points made in Birbalsingh’s article. That is the first thing to do.
That said, here is the writing grade: 30/40. The reading is from 0-10. If you add quotes from Birbalsingh’s article and mix them in with what you have written, you will do well.
Here is my feedback for the writing:
1) There was an investigation into Mark Dugan’s death. Google this and see what you can find to add to your argument in the first paragraph
2) There are some occasions where you use an incorrect word for what you are trying to say. So, for example, you are ‘arguing’ not ‘justifying’ that the colour of Mark Duggan played a role in his death.
3) I think the arguments are very strong here. You should add some more context surrounding the riots, however. So the role of poverty, for example. Or black deaths in police custody. I can give you articles to read around this.
Mr O’B