10 Years in Prison - For Being Rational!

As I write this I am listening to 50cent – and guess what? I don’t have the sudden urge to go on a murderous rampage.

Well, that’s what many people would have you believe is the influence of this gangster-turned-superstar. After the spate of shootings in London this week, the BBC’s ‘Have Your Say’ site was filled with helpful hints from people on how to tackle gun crime.

“Ban rap music!” they shout. “Blame the single parents!” they roar. “Return to traditional values!” “Bring back National Service!” “Let people own guns to protect their homes!” (what more guns?) “Blame the immigrants!”… I could go on but for fear of sounding like a headline roll-call from the Daily Mail I shall stop there.

Ok, just one more nugget: “Enforce a zero tolerance policy like in the US!” proclaims ‘Jones’ from London. Funny that, I wasn’t aware the UK ever tolerated gun crime? I could spend hours picking holes in each one but I trust you would have already done that.

So why is it we look for such easy answers in what is a very complex debate. The politicians may have to, for the sake of publicity, blame it on one, maybe two key events but surely we can understand better than that?

Gun crime comes mainly from drug culture. Drugs culture leads to gangs on the streets. Faced with a low-paid job or a more ‘glamorous’ (and yes, popular culture does have some role here) gangland life, it is an appealing prospect.

As young people find themselves in the poverty trap – unable to make money or get a job, instead relying on the little that the state provides to get by.

And with little money and subsequently little education it is no wonder that many young men are turning to crime. So why not nip the problem in the bud? Reform the welfare state, legalise and control the drug trade and provide better education. Then we might have the answer.

Blaming rap music and calling for draconian measures can only make things worse. The same people who call for these measures would then surely be up in arms about state interference and a breach of civil liberties.

I’m no expert, the problem is complex and deep-rooted and it will take a lot to address it. In the meantime, I am going to continue to listen to rap music and watch gangster movies – if that makes me a criminal then so be it.