I have heard the phrase 'feral under-class' more times than I care to remember in the last few weeks since social unrest spread across the capital and quite frankly it's becoming disturbing.
To hear all manner of eminent and respected individuals, as well as some not so eminent and respected individuals, brazenly labelling sections of our society in such derogatory and offensive terms in the media is astounding. "What I found most disturbing was the sense that the hardcore of rioters came from a feral underclass, cut off from the mainstream in everything but its materialism." said Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke.
So is he suggesting that there are in fact swathes of people populating our island, rabidly foaming at the mouth with the desire to get a brand new pair of trainers 24/7? To use the term 'feral' in reference to human beings is disgusting in its ignorance and short-sightedness. Has he never heard of things like 'group mentality' and 'human fallibility'?
We all make mistakes. Granted we weren't all stupid enough to loot shops in broad daylight but can we all honestly say we wouldn't be tempted by a free 48000" television if we thought we could get away with it? Those of you saying 'no' are lying to me and yourselves. Get out.
As a society we need to be extremely careful about the kind of language we allow to be used in reference to sections of the populace. If 'feral under-class' becomes acceptable terminology to describe certain people it becomes much easier to automatically view these people as violent, criminal, scum; and in turn they become much easier to demonise and persecute.
The Justice Secretary should have a much more rounded and cautious approach to describing such large scale social unrest or he run's the risk of propagating dangerous social myths that already pervade large portions of British conscience.
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