Damilola Murder Article, Group 3: Thomas, Jeanette, Lioba, Camilla, Natacha B.

Structure

•           ”The interrogation gives the police problems” (p. 63, first column, line 1)
•           “No respect” (p. 64, first column, line 18)
•          “Betrays” (p. 64, second column, line 24)
•         “More crack – more crimes” (p. 65, first column, line 30)
•         “The law and adults mean nothing!” (p. 66, first column, line 1)

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Symptoms of social problems in the UK

The murder of Damilola is a clear symptom of social problems in the UK. The fact that the boy was only ten years old, and that he was stabbed with a broken bottle, and left bleeding to death on the ground, indicates that there is something terribly wrong, in the minds of a couple of young boys. Damilola was sent from Africa to the UK, in the hope of a better life, but instead he was stabbed with a broken bottle. How is something not wrong?

Connect the quote ““They say 'why should we study? So we can end up like you? No thanks.' There are kids on the estate of 12 and 13 who are going out stealing every day, and they are making more money than their parents earn. How are you supposed to convince people like that you know what's best?” (p. 65, column 1, line 15-22)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->-       <!--[endif]-->In this quote, it is clear that the child stating this doesn’t seem to know what is right and what is wrong. He believes that just because he possibly could make a decent about of money from stealing, that is a better path than getting an education, and finding work for himself. Clearly he has no idea of consequences.

Message

We think that the message of the article is that the gang culture is going out of control. The kids have no respect for anybody, and they don’t want to go to school and get an education. The crime has developed from stealing sweets from the local corner shop to dealing drugs and use violence.

“They say; why should we study? So we can end up like you. No thanks!” (p. 65, first column, line 15-16)

“When the unruly youth of yesteryear went about smashing up phone boxes and stealing sweets from the local corner shop, none of them would have considered trying to make a career from such activity. Today, the muggers and street drug dealers are the richest kids on the estate, and are heroes to a new generation.” (p. 65, first column, line 37-45)