Mob Violence

The first shame: attempts by politicians to co-opt and filter riot as an expression of political cause.

The second: the stunning lack of personal wherewithal or framework for the individual's management of his own buy-in to helter skelter violence.

Far be it from me to advocate for warfare, conventional or guerrilla, but whether out of Pakistan this week or Kenya, to interpret mob violence as anything other than adolescent license--start there because that's a more sensible place than any political excuse--thoroughly disgraces and disservices the intellectual legacy available in every country in which it occurs.

When it comes to riot, there is always an excuse, a convenient scapegoat, a large enough target.

One may except from this thesis runs on banks, bread shortages, and hikes in the price of gasoline, but even then, should the contemplation of violence and violent action seem helpful, have at it clear, directed, and well organized: let some defined and true enemy (of the people; of the state; of humanity) bear the brunt of that force.

Violence is the business of armies and guerrilla bands alike.

This other business--anarchy in the street; looting; wanton destruction of personal property; murder, because it's convenient, can be done, and for the hell of it--has to to with language, lust, mind, and misapprehension.

The clever may make use of anarchy:

--good proof, so goes the tale, that the state cannot protect its people;

--not a bad way to resist the imposition of governments and the courts they would install (i.e., anarchy may turn out a good thing for the warlord business);

--a sign that people are unhappy with their leaders ( so let's get on with elections).

Here's the truth: in Nairobi today, Kenyans are hitting the stores that are open to fend off what they may perceive as a rising tide of anarchic violence under the guise of tribal rivalry and ambition.

"The use of the word genocide will horrify Kenyans, used to being viewed by the world as a stable democracy, investment and tourist destination and oasis of peace in an otherwise volatile region scarred by like the 1994 Rwanda genocide." [1]

Who are the people?

In Kenya or Pakistan--are the people not those opening businesses in the morning, going off to work, looking for work?

Are "the people" not the hungry bellies and destitute, the ignorant, and the afflicted?

Are "the people" not just people with ambitions, needs, and wants?

We have all seen what the installation, or perhaps reinstallation, of "my people vs. your people" has meant for Lebanon, Iraq, and Somalia, and here, with the help of even otherwise erudite politicians, comes the same to threaten Pakistan and Kenya, an unfocussed anger refracted into some kind of sense (nonsense) by venal political animals.

Soak the ground in enough blood, and it will bear evil fruit for generations.

Resist.

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1. Hull, C. Bryson, Andrew Cawthorne.  "Kenya bloodshed called 'genocide'".  Reuters, January 2, 2008.

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Correspondence: James S. Oppenheim

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