When the dust has settled...

Last week saw backlash and anger and now the courts have done their processing we may start to move forward.

For all the conversations around punishment and causes and a break down in Society there seems to me to be an elephant in the room. That elephant is the whole of society. Not just a hand full of poor neighbourhoods in a hand full of cities, but the wealthy and privileged are just as much to blame as those committing the violence. Me included and I would never class my self as privileged.

We live in a society driven by consumerism. Our economic growth over the last 20 years has been driven by the expanding middle class spending. Borrowing rose to improve ones possession list. The latest phone, a newer car, the latest fashion, all things we aspire to. Even the most liberal will recognise the growth in local food shops and organic food. This may have an ethical angle but how much of the behaviour is driven by trend and fashion.

So there is a bit of the looter in all of us because we all want better. We all want to improve. Whilst for some of us we are supported and encouraged and shown the right way, some people are forgotten about and it is down to the strength of those individuals to bring themselves out of their predicament. Blame the moral compass but we need to look at where this is pointing. When all we hold dear is ithis and 3D that, there is an underlying problem.

If we want a sustainable society, we cannot all be equals and we need people to have aspirations. However these must be accessible for all. How many "self made millionaires" went to Oxbridge or Eton? How many went to University full stop? Then you look at both front benches in the house of commons. Does that seem a sensible balance?

We are not all the same and therefore what is right for me is not right for my neighbour. Before we decide how to make these communities safer, can we please sit down and listen to these communities instead of telling them what to do. Surely it is that attitude that started the problems.

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Sustainability in Leeds

I was reading yesterday the guest blog by Paul Thomas for the Guardian Leeds. The title of which is "Does Leeds want to become a sustainable City". The blog by Paul and the comments following were very interesting reading.

Apparently sustainability is not the way forward in Paul's mind and for other people it absolutely is, we need to be greener, leaner and manage our resources better. However this led me back to my overriding issue with the word sustainability. Whilst I think the word is valuable the use of the word isn't valuable at all.

Having done a quick dictionary search on the meaning of sustainability, it is clear that most people have got it all wrong. It doesn't mean hand made jumpers, beards and long hair. It doesn't mean wind turbines, cycling to work and communal living either. Sustainability derives form sustain, to hold up, to provide, to support.

With this piece of insight why would anybody not want a sustainable society? One where communities support each other. Where food, housing and transport needs are met for all. Does this sound like a society restricted from growth or consumption? No, it is purely a society that sustains itself.

Should Leeds be a sustainable city? Yes, undoubtedly. For the benefit of its citizens it should be sustainable. Now we can talk about how, but I think the bigger question is whether Leeds can be a sustainable City? More importantly does it have it in it to break some barriers and be different?