This man is dangerous for the black community, while he can just point fingers at other cities pretending this isn't a big deal black people are getting slashed up by machetes and shot 10 times in the head for fun and "respect", there is a massive problem in the UK with black on black crime and it comes from gang culture and lack of male role models, if it's a poverty issue why are they living in London to begin with, he knows what's up but his skin tone makes him ignorant to the truth, if stop and search was used 5x the amount on minorities who are dressed in face masks,hooded and look shifty I'm sure the crime statistics would fall drastically
@BigGlockTV but crime and horrible people are usually from poor areas. And in the London the poor areas are not white. So it's easy to think its a black problem. However you go up north or to the deprived seaside areas, where the poor areas a white. They do the same thing, it's a poverty issue.
@@guitarstaraces746 the police have predicted this for years, government did nothing. Unfortunately our government is institutionally racist and therefore didn't take the threat seriously. Now a innocent white girl gets stabbed, they now will jump into action. It's a disgrace. That girl would still be alive, if they weren't so racist
I really like how Akala really doesn’t waste words. He doesn’t waffle, everything has a point. Even if he’s talking for a while, it’s always with a point in mind that he’s setting the scene for.
It's clear to anyone working with young people in deprived areas (educators etc) what's going on. For some reason the media and MPs are keeping this narrative alive that it's in some way a mystery that needs to be solved. We need more voices like Akala's to be heard because it's really not that complicated.
I call this glazing, basicly where the media makes up stuff to cover the reality that the government doesn't want to invest in the young and help solve the horrendous social problems the UK has.
Robert Vaughn That “something else ” you speak about is Poverty, lack of education, school expulsion and domestic abuse. Let’s not pretend these aren’t some of the factors that cause to people become criminals. It’s not a Race thing!
@NightLife UK to demonstrate to idiots that the issue is not a man's skin colour... it is a multitude of factors that can be addressed like in Glasgow also.
Yeah it will fall on deaf ears, those deaf ears being the kids and parents not just the government. We complain endlessly on the nanny state but we also want the government to correct everything with more government.
@@v114OG I like Akaka, talks a lot of sense. But he does lack solutions. You can't just leave it be. Unfortunately becuase of a racist governmemt, this country now has a major problem. It's needs a double approach of more police, and more social services. But the police is key
@Manc Jay I don't believe they are racist on a personal level. What I'm saying is the government is institutionally racist. Meaning, when the police said two years ago this was gonna happen. The government did not listen to them, because they couldn't see any problems, because it was blacks killing blacks. But now they are gonna do something and why?? Cos a white girl got stabbed!! Well that innocent white girl would probably be alive if the gov listen to the police ages ago. The blood us on there hands. You get my point??
Back home in Turkey, I carried a knife, a big one to protect myself from a psychopath who was threatening my brother. He was notorious with stabbing people in the back and would never do a fist fight because he always said he would lose a fair fight. Now, I was well educated though from a working class and Socialist family but that didn't stop me wanting to hurt or kill that guy. I was 18 and was only stopped by an older friend who saw the knife and said ' this is not you'. I am glad I never faced that guy on that day, had peace afterwards. You need people who really understand the way the young brains work, you need people the youth respect and listen.
Please ignore the dickhead comments, Muto. You make a very valid point which should be listened to. Whilst poverty & social status can be contributory factors towards our likelihood of committing violent crime, fear is the overwhelming reason people choose to arm themselves - and fear affects everyone, regardless of their background, class, or heritage. Well done for listening to your friend and getting through that phase of your life unharmed. I hope that your brother was ok, too, and that karma caught up with the coward who was the source of your fear x
I have to admit prev' ignorance of him and his work(both musically and literally) but seeing him talk so sensibly and articulately in interviews I have ordered his book. He talks more sense than any UK politician I've seen since P Ashdown (not that he was always correct) He is I believe correct in what he say's ,I grew up in an area with almost no ethnic diversity yet we still had violent youth crime ,from the most disadvantaged youths in general , it's not about race it's about opportunity and this guy gets it AND gets the message across .
suroj Your grasp of English is as poor as your attention span, as it is clear you did not come here to watch the video, but came to comment statements such as this, without any sort of argument to back yourself up. Glasgow was the murder capital of *europe*, and has way more white percentage than London will ever have. Just watch the damn video.
He contradicts himself by saying a different racial group would have political urgency to resolve the issues but often cites Glasgow as another city where knife crime is high - made up of a large white population. This indicates that whatever the race none is given the required resources to tackle the problem.
@@leahdavis2612 Your a stupid individual, you need to proof read what you just said. How can you ask a question and then say 'how many questions did i get right?'.
Respect Akala. I can relate to you as a sociology student. Race is a way to point fingers at specific groups as a scapegoat to the actual reality or problem.. they need to invest in young people from deprived neighbourhoods
Using race as a source of passing the blame is a neanderthal coping mechanism. It's clear we can see the more melanated man / woman uses the mind in a more logical way but unfortunately the neanderthal has been in charge, far too long.
Anyone can repeat statistics and make empty statements about who is to blame for all the deaths. At the end of the day people make choices and they are supported by the community. If these people are such a small percentage of the community it blows away all the BS about poverty and institutional racism being the causal factors. Being excluded from education is not the reason for peoples behaviour it is just an indicator of their attitude. Their attitude to life is supported and encouraged by the community. How else would they continue to survive. This is the same attitude that pervaded London in the 60's with the Krays and the Richardson's. People were terrified into silence because the Police were powerless to stop the violence.
I know he is a rapper but he is far more than that. They should introduce him as the Sociologist, Historian and Author. This man is a great role model.
It's not a very lefty concept. Modern pussy's always need to offload their problems. Thing is even if you're problems WERE caused by someone else you'll get past them far faster if you just accept the problem exists and figure out how to deal with it rather than spending years whingeing about it. It's fashionable to talk about overcoming adversity but not to actually do it.
True, I mean I get it us as black people do face difficulties in western countries but come on with all the opportunities at stake e.g the internet what is the excuse
AKALA needs his own RUclips channel to spread his honest statistics he explains it so honestly and correctly. And hes going off facts and statistics. Having more police wont solve the issue is working with the communities that will.
So far he has help ZERO children better themselves, he gives lectures at universities rather than going to schools to teach a better way and how to succeed
Neil Mo Let me help you out. friends* be* thick* Please never attempt to criticise other people’s intelligence, then proceed to fail miserably in spelling basic words. Thank you.
@@usxnews1834 Racism doesn't exist. If people are prejudging you or treating you differently than everyone else then it's YOU that's the problem, not the color of your skin.
Lack of strong leadership and role models in these communities are the reasons why people often take the wrong path, Parents or lack there of should take more responsibilities for the actions of their kids.
@David Charles Francis Topham de Vere Beauclerk depends what crime you're talking about. From your question it sounds very much like you didn't watch the video.
@@JoeBuckingham1234 What society? There is a lack of community in this country. The fundamental community needed to ensure the stability of society is the family, and I strongly suspect the people joining gangs lack good male role models, and father figures. The only way to solve the problem is give these young men new models outside of gangs. It is not purely a problem of poverty, there are places on the planet that are far poorer that do do have the same level of problem
Flameball literally everywhere where there is poverty there is crime. They go hand in hand. People don’t have enough money, they turn to crime. People don’t have enough opportunity, they turn to crime. Our problem is how criminalise drugs which only worsens the problem. That leads to gangs wanting control over areas and from that, gang violence as we are seeing.
Flameball I do agree that a lack of role models is certainly a problem. They learn from the gangs how to act and that’s very scary. How to stop the father leaving in the first place is hard, but poverty certainly plays a role. Most wouldn’t leave it they were in a better financial position, but I can’t give you a complete answer to that.
@@JoeBuckingham1234 If we legalise drugs and take it out the hands of gangs, then in theory it will increase poverty for those gangs since you take away their revenue. Unless they turn to sell harder drugs like meth. Poverty is to be expected living in London unless you earn an extremely high salary. The only way London can sustain itself is to take people from 3rd world poverty and bring them into 1st world poverty. Most native Brits cannot live in the conditions that a low wage can sustain in London. It's no wonder young people turn to selling drugs. Maybe if immigration wasn't so aggressive then the low skilled London jobs would be better paid and communities would have more of a chance to thrive. I'm not against immigrants, at least a decent proportion of them have family values which we need
I saw and met Akala when he came to speak at our city’s uni. The talk lasted for about an hour but everything he says is so interesting that it honestly felt like 5 minutes. It’s good to see him appear on mainstream television and discuss these issues.
Tougher sentences doesn't deter people from commuting violent crime. Because people don't think they will be caught. Increasing the likelihood of perpetrators being caught does deter people.
Yes, but it doesn't solve the fundamental issue of why those young men are drawn to committing crime in the first place which, as Akala says, is more driven by social forces (abuse, poverty, deprivation, and so on). It's like poor electrical wiring causing house fires, and everyone's just like 'we need more firemen to put out these fires!' when really we should be trying to rewire the houses.
@@usxnews1834 yeah well it's a combination of clichés really Generally, children who grow up under a certain set of conditions: - Poverty, particularly high inequality - Lack of socialisation as a infant - No adequate supervision growing up. Particularly the lack of a male role model - History of unchecked anti social behaviour throughout childhood - History of expulsion from schools Turn out to be teenagers who have no status. Have almost zero career prospects. Don't feel a part of society. Look to their peers for guidance and support. And lack the ability to accurately estimate risk, and make bad decisions. They get involved in crime to achieve status and a place in their social hierarchy. They tend to believe problems are solved with violence, because that is the only way they have ever seen problems solved. The knife carrying is inevitable. They are easy to get hold of. Cheap. Easy to conceal. And they level the playing field when it comes to fighting. Same reason kids in US have guns.
I know people who carry knives - it's not related to race, a lot of it is about protecting yourself. Not as if the police is gonna save you if you get jumped.
Yep. Look. In my teenage years people would fight. That still happens now, but all it takes is for a few people who really don't care about the risks, to start carrying a knife and it is a force equaliser. Suddenly you have to carry a knife, no matter how tough or good a fighting you are. Because a person with a knife, beats a person without a knife almost every time. (the only exception being a tiny tiny percentage people who have real fighting skill. And most of the time people who have that level of skill will be smart enough to avoid the situation in the first place.)
@@firstname4865Corbyn bucks the trend. Labour Party used to be full of working people who stood up for the workers who got them into power. Last 60 years this has changed. There are very few - Dennis Skinner, Laura Pidcock, Laura Smith, Richard Burgon. Middle class MPs who represent workers like Corbyn or Tony Benn are few and far between. So join Labour and get working class candidates into parliament. You have no idea how often Akala has been asked to run - he ain't up for it. If he ever is, he'll be parachuted into wherever he wants to be
Ethan JA my parents lived in a council house until they saved to be able to buy it. I work 2 jobs to be able to afford to live on my own. I can assure you I’m not middle class 😂
... It's good they want to solve the issue(s). But not having an understanding of the issues themselves, nor anyone to provide them insight into the issues, hinders their ability to create effective solutions for it.
I’m truly inspired by Akala, always a pleasure hearing him speak. I would love to hear his opinions voiced over the LBC Nick Ferrari show, call in bro.
I wouldn't be surprised about the knife culture and some people have two parents but they both work 12hrs a day on zero hour contract trying to feed their family, and nobody looking after the kids but the taxman don't care.
Parents working ..leaving kids alone happens everywhere...in every country. Zero hour contracts are utterly irrelevant....lol. There are far poorer countries in the world who have virtually zero knife crime....
@@notnotness4765 True, but there is a majority in favour of the death penalty for certain crimes in the UK, so as long as that majority exists, there will always be a possibility of its return!
It's not about poverty. It's about kids having too much stuff and wanting more! Kids in Ghana and Mumbai aren't stabbing each other and the poverty is tenfold... It's all about culture
@KneeGrow ✓ there's no such thing as black culture. People of African origin have countless cultures just add they have scores of individual countries.
Akala always speaks so eloquently and reasonably, i wish we could clone him a thousand times and have clinics all around the country for young people to drop in and have Akala put em straight
@@MelodyLOVESMegadeth Girl just sat on a park bench last week done nothing to nobody, yet stabbed by a black boy. Turn the tables; a white man stabs black female for no reason, what would the headline be? We wouldn't hear the end of it. They'd drag it up into every debate, have a remembrance day, the Mother would be made a Dame, and it would be a national holiday. Can anyone even remember the name of the girl stabbed only last week? I rest my case.
As a black man growing up in South London, I used to think black people were uniquely violent. Meeting my girlfriend made me realise that they were simply a product of their environment. She and her black friends are overachievers and some of the classiest people I've ever met. They're all ingrained in a network of strong, stable, self sustaining black people, which stretches far. It's very easy to get caught up in the race argument, but even when you take the 'stabbing gene' and the bell curve into consideration, reality seems to demonstrate a different explanation. A series of explanations, in fact, that we have yet to examine.
Akala is a great man.... why he hasn’t been given more recognition for his knowledge, passion, intensity and overall expertise I don’t know... he truly deserves some kind of backing to bring his views across. The man can save many lives I believe he can change society....bless this man
Literally everyone. Even groups that make up the majority of certain countries wants a piece of that victim cake. Does 'It's okay to be white' sound familiar?
@@MrGold-lo6vc Spot on mate. This is why there are so many labels today. It creates the ideal conditions which makes divide & rule possible. If we refuse to play their game we are already halfway there.
Am I being cynical when I suggest that the Government has only just started being concerned about knife crime now it's affecting middle class kids? Also most of the people I know who have done time come out even worse than they were before they went in. For me that a good indication that the prison system is flawed, and I'm just a working class bloke with no GCSE's and brought up in a council house.
I don't think you're being cynical at all. Prison systems in Sweden and some other Scandinavian countries use prison as a rehabilitation system rather than just the standard prison system that is used across the world and it has massively reduced reoffending. We all know that nothing gets done until it affects the white middle class or higher class. That's the way it always has been and always will be.
liquidgeorge - Why is it 'pseudo' intellectual? What he is explaining is quite clear and provides at least, some insight into the nature of this terrible problem. He uses other researcher's research, because...it's exactly that - research; based on investigation, data and objectivity. What's the issue here.
@@TheLuminousOne the issue is he is deflecting what the problem is. Black youths are disproportinately over represented in knife crime statistics. Akala is saying this is not the case, this is simply not true.
the term "word salad" comes to mind..akala is great at it..he spoke a load of words but actually said very little we all didnt already know..dont be fooled!!!
burrowsgod Rubbish, you either don’t know what word salad means or you didn’t listen to what he was saying properly. Also don’t confuse what you know for what other people know, they’re not the same.
OK, so I've seen the Akala interview and read a lot of the comments...In my opinion race is a red herring and also to a certain extent is poverty, but they not entirely to be ruled out as factors, which simply demonstrates the complexity of the problem. South Asians have also traditionally suffered racism but seem to be more social integrated and industrious, so too are the Chinese. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK in recent years are refugees who have arrived with nothing (often people who have know absolute poverty) and worked hard to improve themselves, so the idea that poverty should serve as a driver or cause of criminality is simply not true. As a black man I would say exponential disintegration and decline of the black family over generations is a fact and is getting worse. Younger mothers and more absent fathers, family units with no love, discipline or structure; what exactly do you expect when the products of these environments are introduced into society. A society whose fundamental values are alien and even hostile to them. Education is also a key factor, if you are born into an environment of deprivation, abuse and low self esteem, you are more likely to schooled with people just like you and taught by teachers who have low expectations of you, even before you step through the door. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what Akala is saying, or if he is inadvertently doing more harm than good. His backstory may describe racism and other causal factors and will appeal to white liberals and other apologists, but he seems to be consolidating a victim mentality, when he should be exhorting young black men to self-improvement and self-empowerment. Blaming the 'white oppressor' is easy, and will not change a thing, because racism and discrimination is not going away anytime soon. But the moment some black kid on some estate picks up a book, unilaterally decides to get educated, create something, or start a business, that's where real change takes place. So stop blaming other people, slinging insults and own your own power.
I don't believe you heard anything he said. If according to you this is a black problem, did you actually hear what he said about the very data he shared? He explained London's black population to be 1.2 million 50 were killed due to knife crime, in Glasgow the population was 600,000 and 40 were killed due to knife crime that's TWO times more! He explained this is NOT a race problem. But as you said "I'm not sure exactly what Akala is saying"! Also, the same can be said about white families in the UK with young mothers and absent fathers...
@Комиссáр Vasyanka the Glasgow stats are from 2017 so police haven't helped anything. I live in Glasgow and can tell you London is much safer. If the is a criminal problem around blacks it's been created because poor areas in Africa are the safest in the country so they didn't inherit this behaviour, they learned it in the west.
@Комиссáр Vasyanka the problem is exclusive to white people, you clearly don't listen to stats, Glasgow and Liverpool are worse and they are exclusively white
He ducked the crucial question: Can you divine what is going through the mind of the stabber? "I'm not in a position to moralise." Maybe. Maybe not. But that's the line that is crossed. You can talk the nuance of a white person who stabs, and there is absolutely no doubt that this happens, because, again, a primary red line has been crossed. But when black kids do it it's always something else - poverty, lack of opportunity, etc.. He seems a genuine guy, but the diversion was not unnoticed.
Weaponisation of the "r" word removes individual responsibility, the cornerstone of the culture of Western man. Dear, oh dear. The cowardice to not confront the contradiction means we're in a real pickle.
@Major T. Poirier I grew up 20 years earlier. You could see this on the horizon, but never thought it would get this bad. The solution, while seemingly not simple, simply is: it's called courage. This is a quality admired universally, and the very thing that is amassing support around the growing symbol who is the man, Tommy Robinson. Irrespective on anyone's views of this man, no one is going to deny his courage, least of all those who disdain to admit it underneath their invective. (That's not to say he is or is not a racist, the whole thing has blown up way beyond this dying word.) Those reliant on the shame induced by the weaponised "r"-word fear their power ebbing away when whitey reaches that very dangerous moment when he stops listening. The moment is coming very, very soon.
Your Hitler comment is revealing. For a supposedly non-religious, secular nation, the ancient weapon of ostracising retains all its power. "Hitler" is literally today's archetype for "Satan". Reflect on this. We are as controllable, in much the same ways, that our ancestors were, because we are all "religious" as we ever were - even if "they" convinced us that we're not.
Were you not listening? He literally said that young people of all races are killing for the same reasons in Glasgow, London, Liverpool and Naples. He’s not diverting the blame from minorities or saying that minorities stab for different reasons than the white majority whatsoever; he clearly did the opposite actually. I’d love to know why you’d glean otherwise?
Young people my age thinking rappers are the philosophers or our time. Here’s a tip. Do some research rather than looking up to grime artists and rappers for your politics considering they are widely responsible for why we are here in the first place. And yes I’m happy to debate any one that disagrees!
@@aaronwilliams9942 I'm not directly challenging the notion, clearly you've done your research, I was just wondering what it is that makes them responsible?
This man places violent crime into an historical context, backed up by academic studies. He highlights the social factors which lead to violent crime and rejects simplistic racially-loaded arguments with in the first minute of the interview. Amazing.
Getting to the ROOT of the issues here is what needs to happen,increasing policing is papering over the cracks...increasing policing is not helping educate young people and helping them heal and grow from issues that are sometimes drummed into them from birth by direct influences around them...some of these children committing these crimes have been through terrible trauma...hurt people hurt people 😔
@portlandstone3mw Yeah yeah, and all blacks need stop using the race card, build more prisons, Stop and search, blah blah blah... What did he say here that is bigoted?
Yeah, i was going to say, akala is one of yhe most bigoted people, with a superiority complex ive ever heard speak. The neoliberal elites wheel him out, as their trump card, every now and then.
@@kitbag4237 This was a better contribution from Akala...less focus on racism for example and more on broader social issues. In the past he has basically just race-baited and fallen into the same trap as those he rails against
@@angloirishcad Ok I'll give you that, his constant use of the word "they" for example, in previous interviews did make me cringe. I hope he's grown out of that...
@portlandstone3mw FYI... this isn't a race issue mate, there's facts and figures to prove it. Theres plenty of predominantly white areas where youve got an equal chance of getting shanked as in london. Stop basing your ignorant opinion on the sun news paper, the real numbers don't lie...
Because ‘doing road’ is more glamorized than ‘learning a skill or trade’ or ‘furthering your mind’. I remember seeing the cops stop some kid outside the Macca’s in Barking who was maybe 12 or 13 and he had the most vicious looking hunting knife I’ve ever seen concealed in his trakkies. Shit’s sad, honestly.
That's exactly what Akala is saying. If we can deter more kids from this mind set early on, there would be no need to arrest them in the future. Sadly the investment required for such a reform is not something the powers that be would be willing to supply (i don't think anyway). As it's not just as simple as "hey kids, stop doing bad stuff" but rather providing the means for independent growth for these communities. When you have nothing, ANYTHING is better than being poor, helpless and bored - might as well be on road with the bros.
'bout that road life' is the dumbest thing I've ever heard man. It's glamorised way too much and these new rappers, with their high profiles should educate the youngers, rather than pretend to be gangsters.
I live in Cornwall the second most economically poorest place in northern Europe and there is no epidemic knife crime. Poverty does not cause violent crime, children growing up with out a father does.
@@uzi_Justice Never came up in the discussions about Glasgow gang violence, though. Why would that be? Did father's suddenly stop abandoning their children in Glasgow? Or were multiple measures and a lot of money put in place to help Glasgow become a very different city...
@@jameswhiteley6843 we have lots of diversity. Race or racism is not the problem, feminists telling women they don't need a man to raise their children is.
Man, I really like Akala. Really intelligent, insightful man who has a good knowledge on serious issues and actually knows what he's talking about and speaks really wisely. He doesn't just drawl over topics he may think he knows more about than he does, he speaks about important things that he has really good, insightful knowledge on. Top guy
Abraham wrong way more people of colour on this planet than white people,for "whites" to consume more than people of colour "whites" would have to consume kilos per month
@TheActivistBook At the heart of the matter you have a establishment and a Murdoch press in this country is unwilling to confront the racist dichotomy that is the UK today in all it's spheres. Which manifest itself in racism imbalances that target n stifle people of colour at all levels. I'm 9 times more likely to be arrest and sent to prison than a white male. That is a fact.
You never got his point. More police does not get rid of root cause. These kids grow up believing violence and killing is acceptable - why? You think having more police will change their mindset?
Outstanding analysis from a well informed, intelligent commentator not using any pathematic rhetoric. Can we have this excellent young person on television more please.
I normally find Akala to be racist against White people etc etc. I don't agree with him normally. However, here, he is spot on. Knife crime is not a Black problem.
I certainly don't agree with everything he says, but I always like to listen when he speaks, erudite, concise and talented. I'm amazed we don't see more of him than we do. For anyone who doesn't know what he does search 'fire in the booth part 1'
He’s wrong, only guys ive seen that have spoken any sense on this topic is David Haye and Tyson Fury. They both stated that only reason people are carrying knives is cos they’re too afraid to use their fists and don’t know how to fight. Dunno about you, but I’d rather schools teach boxing and self defence rather than having A bunch of guys running round with knives cos they’re too afraid to fight
Knives are easily accessible. 90% of the time a knife weirding child will win against whoever he’s in a conflict with. Why get caught short? Why is someone who’s experienced in fighting not going to take a knife out aswell? Even as a backup?
People need to pay attention to Akala. He's constantly striving to learn and improve his understanding of social, political and legal issues, and it really shows when he speaks. He's very intelligent, and articulates himself brilliantly. And as always, he's absolutely spot on here. When you pay attention to this man, you learn.
@@rosa6199 thats Sowell and hes written like 40 books on social science and economics since the 70s. Hes not someone to dismiss. He also doesn't say that young men turning to violent crime is "cultural", he mentions cultural differences when it comes to disparities in areas of work, which there most certainly are. Hes not only looked at the studies, hes conducted studies himself that other experts use as references. But because he blows your convenient victimhood narrative out the window you'll dismiss him.
A positive male role model can help to guide young boys away from the wrong crowd but girls are also involved in these killings for one. Domestic violence and child abuse add to young men being on the street and living out what they learned. The biggest factors are poverty and lack of good education, going home to a cold home and no food, mother and father working not spending time with their children. All these are contributing factors to the high level of crime, not single mothers. Stop with the stereotype, sexist nonsense. I have 3 boys went to college got my qualifications worked with children with additional needs for 16 years. Going university and I am a single mother, none of my boys has ever been in any kind of trouble with the law.
@@denisebrown2994 first of all there is nothing sexist about it. God bless single mothers. But there is only so much one parent can do and both boys and girls do better with both parents in a functioning relationship. And poverty and education are much more likely to be issues for households with only one parent earning a wage (if that). That's what happens when you're poor, you have to settle for living in shitty areas that have shitty schools. I'm not saying it all comes down to this one factor, i said it's "one of...". But its certainly too significant not to mention. As for your own experience, hats off to you! You seem to be doing very well under the circumstances, but you should know that you are the exception, not the rule. I would be willing to bet that if there was a study done with all the young boys in gangs in London the vast majority of them would come from broken homes. Domestic violence also plays a part of course, but that's not a "systemic" issue either, and it seems like Akala is going at this from a "systemic oppression" angle.
Akala, that is so refreshing to hear and inspirational. The way you articulate yourself is honourable and gives us (mixed race/black people) a great feeling to hear somebody represent us in this way.
I love this guy - such an eloquent speaker, and so widely read, so much information at his fingertips. He would never want to be one, but I wish we could have people like him in politics.
The internet has been responsible for more even more programming in recent years. All these disinformation websites, facebook groups, twitter accounts people believe they're thinking for themselves while they have this garbage fed to their subconscious.
@TheActivistBook Definitely, one problem with the internet and social media is confirmation bias and the use of algorithms that feed you certain stories based on what you've previously watched. This results in people getting caught in their own 'bubbles' of opinion. You could say that more discerning surfer would view all types of media but these people are rare. Fake news is another huge problem, with state actors trying to divide a country's population along racial and religious lines.
You are absolutely right on the bad parenting .The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. I'm not sure of putting them in prisons will solve the problem though.
@@UncleBright The Bible also instructs you on how to treat your slaves. We don't need to consult bronze age texts to come up with "bad parenting leads to bad children", so let's leave the medieval ideologies out of sensible discussion
The part where he says about poverty, most of these people are walking around with the latest smartphones and flatscreen TV in their houses, it's about getting your priorities right in my opinion. Everyone regarding of race are given the same basic education, I managed to work my way from a working class upbringing into something slightly better but forcing myself through education and staying focused. It's always someone else's fault, parents need to take responsibility for their children, these kids need to take responsibility for themselves.
Yes mate but you got to remember a lot of these black areas children are bought up in poverty and without male role models, this makes it so easy for a young boy to be influced to join a gang, the older gang memebers groom these kids into the lifestyle by showing them the clothes the money and so on, we need educate these children in london better and keep them off the streets where the grooming can happen. Its not as simple as Good person and bad person
They give a show to Big Narstie but not a show to AKALA! Respect bro for sharing some knowledge...
Crypto Rocko init. He should have a lot more air time
That tells you all you need to know on what they want people to consume! Smh
I respect narsties rise .. it would be nice to have akala on tv more often also
If its not idiotic it's not TV
Big Narstie is is about laugh, jokes and NOT to highlight the problems we face as human beings
It's refreshing that we have people like Akala tackling these issues in the way he does. The real MVP! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This man is dangerous for the black community, while he can just point fingers at other cities pretending this isn't a big deal black people are getting slashed up by machetes and shot 10 times in the head for fun and "respect", there is a massive problem in the UK with black on black crime and it comes from gang culture and lack of male role models, if it's a poverty issue why are they living in London to begin with, he knows what's up but his skin tone makes him ignorant to the truth, if stop and search was used 5x the amount on minorities who are dressed in face masks,hooded and look shifty I'm sure the crime statistics would fall drastically
JEALOUSY BETWEEN BLACK PEOPLES.
and the British Jamaican gang xenophobe hating the newcomers.
@BigGlockTV but crime and horrible people are usually from poor areas. And in the London the poor areas are not white. So it's easy to think its a black problem. However you go up north or to the deprived seaside areas, where the poor areas a white. They do the same thing, it's a poverty issue.
@@guitarstaraces746 the police have predicted this for years, government did nothing. Unfortunately our government is institutionally racist and therefore didn't take the threat seriously. Now a innocent white girl gets stabbed, they now will jump into action. It's a disgrace. That girl would still be alive, if they weren't so racist
Akala is talking the problems we know but not giving any real solutions, you can't rely on the government for change they don't care
I really like how Akala really doesn’t waste words. He doesn’t waffle, everything has a point. Even if he’s talking for a while, it’s always with a point in mind that he’s setting the scene for.
It's clear to anyone working with young people in deprived areas (educators etc) what's going on. For some reason the media and MPs are keeping this narrative alive that it's in some way a mystery that needs to be solved. We need more voices like Akala's to be heard because it's really not that complicated.
@Zero 01 To tackle poverty and domestic abuse. Basically more funding for social care.
@chris livings Kids need stable homes so they don't look for stability and structure in gangs.
I call this glazing, basicly where the media makes up stuff to cover the reality that the government doesn't want to invest in the young and help solve the horrendous social problems the UK has.
chris livings guess you don't know kids, because we've had 7 year olds bringing in knives to school here.
@chris livings Most gang members start in school, start selling drugs and have little interest in slow income and the hard work of a normal job
I swear whenever Akala does a speech or a interview, I love to listen to his thoughts and opinions . The man is just on another level
Anytime this man speaks, I listen. He is amazing, articulate and most importantly, correct.
You’ve clearly never looked at crime stats or understand what per capita and representation means then?
Robert Vaughn That “something else ” you speak about is Poverty, lack of education, school expulsion and domestic abuse. Let’s not pretend these aren’t some of the factors that cause to people become criminals. It’s not a Race thing!
@@DD-jg8xr yes it really is a race thing as most blacks live in single parent households.
You are not going to convince the RW authoritarian troll of the ills of being a bigot. It's how they distribute their poisonous bile and get paid.
JAMES WHITELEY it’s not a race thing. The root causes are pretty much the same for London and Glasgow.
Consistently clear, rational, articulate and concise. Akala is an important voice. Shame his message fall largely on deaf ears
@NightLife UK to demonstrate to idiots that the issue is not a man's skin colour... it is a multitude of factors that can be addressed like in Glasgow also.
Glasgow has less crime per capita than black london try again
@@SI-cd7xs not when it was the violent crime capital of Europe... Look at Glasgow in the early 2000s...
Absolutely.
Yeah it will fall on deaf ears, those deaf ears being the kids and parents not just the government.
We complain endlessly on the nanny state but we also want the government to correct everything with more government.
Akala needs to be on more often.
portlandstone3mw And why’s that may I ask?
@@v114OG I like Akaka, talks a lot of sense. But he does lack solutions. You can't just leave it be. Unfortunately becuase of a racist governmemt, this country now has a major problem. It's needs a double approach of more police, and more social services. But the police is key
@Manc Jay I don't believe they are racist on a personal level. What I'm saying is the government is institutionally racist. Meaning, when the police said two years ago this was gonna happen. The government did not listen to them, because they couldn't see any problems, because it was blacks killing blacks. But now they are gonna do something and why?? Cos a white girl got stabbed!! Well that innocent white girl would probably be alive if the gov listen to the police ages ago. The blood us on there hands. You get my point??
Back home in Turkey, I carried a knife, a big one to protect myself from a psychopath who was threatening my brother. He was notorious with stabbing people in the back and would never do a fist fight because he always said he would lose a fair fight. Now, I was well educated though from a working class and Socialist family but that didn't stop me wanting to hurt or kill that guy. I was 18 and was only stopped by an older friend who saw the knife and said ' this is not you'. I am glad I never faced that guy on that day, had peace afterwards. You need people who really understand the way the young brains work, you need people the youth respect and listen.
Please ignore the dickhead comments, Muto. You make a very valid point which should be listened to. Whilst poverty & social status can be contributory factors towards our likelihood of committing violent crime, fear is the overwhelming reason people choose to arm themselves - and fear affects everyone, regardless of their background, class, or heritage.
Well done for listening to your friend and getting through that phase of your life unharmed. I hope that your brother was ok, too, and that karma caught up with the coward who was the source of your fear x
@VonRyansExpress From your response I think you're bizarre, maybe slightly removed from humanity or something
@@MrShabbaaaa Yep, the guy's clearly unhinged.
@VonRyansExpress ah ah ah what an idiot you don't understand nothing about story,he was a socialist???🤣🤣🤦🤦🤦what an idiot
Akala is the guy that has to be protected by all costs. His insight is generational knowledge
True he is a UK Tupac respect for this Brooda
XDDD you guys are funny
@@makavelithedon829 XDDDDDDDDDD
@@makavelithedon829 "And they say it's the white man we should fear, but my own kind doing all the killing here." sound familiar? XDD
Carl Springer Swear he’s a gem to society.
Very eloquent. Too short of an interview
Akala for London mayor! Not even joking.
roxy welch he would be way better then what we have now
I have to admit prev' ignorance of him and his work(both musically and literally) but seeing him talk so sensibly and articulately in interviews I have ordered his book.
He talks more sense than any UK politician I've seen since P Ashdown (not that he was always correct)
He is I believe correct in what he say's ,I grew up in an area with almost no ethnic diversity yet we still had violent youth crime ,from the most disadvantaged youths in general , it's not about race it's about opportunity and this guy gets it AND gets the message across .
@Peder Hansen that's a bit harsh he is talking the truth but the narrative of the British media only show you what they want to.
Akala for prime minister!
Then you're an idiot. But ok.
Akala has some great insights on the issue. Shame similar convos' can't result from parliment without the politics..
Could listen to this man for the entire day.... so articulate
Same. I would cut a few fingers off to be able to talk like that.
Wtf lol he doesn't seem that intelligent or articulate to me
So articulate and talk about everything but the actual act of black people stabbing each other.
suroj Your grasp of English is as poor as your attention span, as it is clear you did not come here to watch the video, but came to comment statements such as this, without any sort of argument to back yourself up. Glasgow was the murder capital of *europe*, and has way more white percentage than London will ever have. Just watch the damn video.
He contradicts himself by saying a different racial group would have political urgency to resolve the issues but often cites Glasgow as another city where knife crime is high - made up of a large white population. This indicates that whatever the race none is given the required resources to tackle the problem.
This akala should be PM get him in number 10.
If only they allowed it lol
I hope so because this guy is great such a positive mind and we need that in this country.
Akala would be the best PM ever.
That would be a disaster.
Akesh 29 no fucking chance is a black man being my pm i want someone like Churchill
I'm seeing a lot of people using the word 'articulate' in the comment section. Did you lot just learn that word? 😂😂😂
you live on an estate, your mother a single mother? How many questions did I get right?
@@leahdavis2612 Your a stupid individual, you need to proof read what you just said.
How can you ask a question and then say 'how many questions did i get right?'.
UKVerbal War HA! Well spotted. Cuts like a knife when you see it.
@@leahdavis2612 none of them were questions
@@Brixtonfrog you're*
I watch this video and some of my faith in humanity is restored again then I read the comments and it just goes again.
Get a griiiiiip.
Jordan B. Yeeterson shush
They will never make a real difference whereas Akala may. I hope he goes into politics.
FitzChivalry Farseer I’m confused on what point you’re trying to make?
@Horacio Nelson he didn't??
Respect Akala. I can relate to you as a sociology student. Race is a way to point fingers at specific groups as a scapegoat to the actual reality or problem.. they need to invest in young people from deprived neighbourhoods
If we stopped calling people as colours its the start of a new beginning. Akala said black.
Using race as a source of passing the blame is a neanderthal coping mechanism. It's clear we can see the more melanated man / woman uses the mind in a more logical way but unfortunately the neanderthal has been in charge, far too long.
@Jamie Ramsay race has nothing to do with crime.
Deprived? we are told that we need endless immigration to fill jobs in London... how deprived.? His arguments can be deconstrcuted very easily...
We need to hear from Akala (and Lowkey) in the mainstream. So much knowledge being dropped on the ignorant masses. Brilliant. 💯
Lol. These guys are fake woke. If Akaka was real they wouldn't parade him on tv every year, they're controlled opposition.
Anyone can repeat statistics and make empty statements about who is to blame for all the deaths. At the end of the day people make choices and they are supported by the community. If these people are such a small percentage of the community it blows away all the BS about poverty and institutional racism being the causal factors. Being excluded from education is not the reason for peoples behaviour it is just an indicator of their attitude. Their attitude to life is supported and encouraged by the community. How else would they continue to survive. This is the same attitude that pervaded London in the 60's with the Krays and the Richardson's. People were terrified into silence because the Police were powerless to stop the violence.
no, we don't.
he avoids the issue of personal responsibility altogether.
and fatherless homes.
@@lewisbracken5520 Its easy to say "Just need to take personal responsibility" but that will never lead to any social change.
@@RedRabbitEntertainment well, society is formed by individuals
I know he is a rapper but he is far more than that. They should introduce him as the Sociologist, Historian and Author. This man is a great role model.
He is a mathematician as well isn't he?
LOVE THIS GUY!! SO KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FEARLESS WITH FACTS! WELL SPOKEN BY BEAUTIFUL BROTHER. X
What a man Akala is!
He should be given the resources to help in anyway he thinks best.
We are failing too many people in society and it needs fixing.
i've never heard akala mention personal responsibility?
weird.
@Clear4ort Personal responsibility for someone else???
Richard McEllan he’s too busy blaming the white man
It's not a very lefty concept. Modern pussy's always need to offload their problems. Thing is even if you're problems WERE caused by someone else you'll get past them far faster if you just accept the problem exists and figure out how to deal with it rather than spending years whingeing about it. It's fashionable to talk about overcoming adversity but not to actually do it.
True, I mean I get it us as black people do face difficulties in western countries but come on with all the opportunities at stake e.g the internet what is the excuse
Why he says social indicators not causes is because there is always an aspect of personal responsibility which is usually self-given
AKALA needs his own RUclips channel to spread his honest statistics he explains it so honestly and correctly.
And hes going off facts and statistics. Having more police wont solve the issue is working with the communities that will.
His stats are not even close to being honest. Not even close.
So far he has help ZERO children better themselves, he gives lectures at universities rather than going to schools to teach a better way and how to succeed
@JimboParadox Yeah it's almost like he cares more about the fame than actually doing anything lol
Akala, articulates issues brilliantly.
Is, the comma, needed?
Singha not at all
Neil Mo
Let me help you out.
friends*
be*
thick*
Please never attempt to criticise other people’s intelligence, then proceed to fail miserably in spelling basic words. Thank you.
When in doubt blame racism.
^Harvard scholar
@@usxnews1834 Racism doesn't exist. If people are prejudging you or treating you differently than everyone else then it's YOU that's the problem, not the color of your skin.
bluemystic7501
lol k
@@usxnews1834 I'm not wrong. Responsibility of personal choices.
@@thebteamm Your screen name screams 'i'm not good with people'.
Lack of strong leadership and role models in these communities are the reasons why people often take the wrong path, Parents or lack there of should take more responsibilities for the actions of their kids.
Oh shush. There's a lack of strong leadership in THE WORLD! They learn from the adults. So society, we, get the young people we deserve.
@David Charles Francis Topham de Vere Beauclerk depends what crime you're talking about. From your question it sounds very much like you didn't watch the video.
The problem is not race, but it is culture.
Flameball a culture created by the structure of society
@@JoeBuckingham1234 What society? There is a lack of community in this country. The fundamental community needed to ensure the stability of society is the family, and I strongly suspect the people joining gangs lack good male role models, and father figures. The only way to solve the problem is give these young men new models outside of gangs.
It is not purely a problem of poverty, there are places on the planet that are far poorer that do do have the same level of problem
Flameball literally everywhere where there is poverty there is crime. They go hand in hand. People don’t have enough money, they turn to crime. People don’t have enough opportunity, they turn to crime. Our problem is how criminalise drugs which only worsens the problem. That leads to gangs wanting control over areas and from that, gang violence as we are seeing.
Flameball I do agree that a lack of role models is certainly a problem. They learn from the gangs how to act and that’s very scary. How to stop the father leaving in the first place is hard, but poverty certainly plays a role. Most wouldn’t leave it they were in a better financial position, but I can’t give you a complete answer to that.
@@JoeBuckingham1234 If we legalise drugs and take it out the hands of gangs, then in theory it will increase poverty for those gangs since you take away their revenue. Unless they turn to sell harder drugs like meth.
Poverty is to be expected living in London unless you earn an extremely high salary. The only way London can sustain itself is to take people from 3rd world poverty and bring them into 1st world poverty. Most native Brits cannot live in the conditions that a low wage can sustain in London. It's no wonder young people turn to selling drugs. Maybe if immigration wasn't so aggressive then the low skilled London jobs would be better paid and communities would have more of a chance to thrive.
I'm not against immigrants, at least a decent proportion of them have family values which we need
I saw and met Akala when he came to speak at our city’s uni. The talk lasted for about an hour but everything he says is so interesting that it honestly felt like 5 minutes.
It’s good to see him appear on mainstream television and discuss these issues.
He's been on mainstream Tele for years, talking about similar issues..
Yh because we all know it's university students who need guidance not the 8 year olds bringing machetes to school!!
Tougher sentences doesn't deter people from commuting violent crime. Because people don't think they will be caught.
Increasing the likelihood of perpetrators being caught does deter people.
Also criminals dont want to leave witnesses and could end killing people because tougher sentences.
Yes, but it doesn't solve the fundamental issue of why those young men are drawn to committing crime in the first place which, as Akala says, is more driven by social forces (abuse, poverty, deprivation, and so on).
It's like poor electrical wiring causing house fires, and everyone's just like 'we need more firemen to put out these fires!' when really we should be trying to rewire the houses.
@@usxnews1834 yeah well it's a combination of clichés really
Generally, children who grow up under a certain set of conditions:
- Poverty, particularly high inequality
- Lack of socialisation as a infant
- No adequate supervision growing up. Particularly the lack of a male role model
- History of unchecked anti social behaviour throughout childhood
- History of expulsion from schools
Turn out to be teenagers who have no status. Have almost zero career prospects. Don't feel a part of society. Look to their peers for guidance and support. And lack the ability to accurately estimate risk, and make bad decisions.
They get involved in crime to achieve status and a place in their social hierarchy. They tend to believe problems are solved with violence, because that is the only way they have ever seen problems solved.
The knife carrying is inevitable. They are easy to get hold of. Cheap. Easy to conceal. And they level the playing field when it comes to fighting.
Same reason kids in US have guns.
@@usxnews1834 also using your analogy it is more firemen to find out who started the fire.
So people stop selling things with dodgy wiring.
UBX beautiful simile, must remember that one.
I know people who carry knives - it's not related to race, a lot of it is about protecting yourself. Not as if the police is gonna save you if you get jumped.
Time Tripper why do they need to protect themselves...what’s happening ?
Yep. Look.
In my teenage years people would fight. That still happens now, but all it takes is for a few people who really don't care about the risks, to start carrying a knife and it is a force equaliser. Suddenly you have to carry a knife, no matter how tough or good a fighting you are. Because a person with a knife, beats a person without a knife almost every time. (the only exception being a tiny tiny percentage people who have real fighting skill. And most of the time people who have that level of skill will be smart enough to avoid the situation in the first place.)
Tiffany Dash Gangs, Crime, Robbery
Robert Vaughn is that what happened I’m Glasgow? Or Naples or Moscow.
Robert Vaughn ah yes just like in Dundee where I live, one of both the most violent and the whitest cities in the UK?
I’d much rather have someone like Akala in a position of power and influence than these middle class MPs who have no idea how the world works 🤷🏻♂️
So middle class people lime jeremy corbyn?
@@firstname4865Corbyn bucks the trend. Labour Party used to be full of working people who stood up for the workers who got them into power. Last 60 years this has changed. There are very few - Dennis Skinner, Laura Pidcock, Laura Smith, Richard Burgon. Middle class MPs who represent workers like Corbyn or Tony Benn are few and far between.
So join Labour and get working class candidates into parliament. You have no idea how often Akala has been asked to run - he ain't up for it. If he ever is, he'll be parachuted into wherever he wants to be
Ethan JA my parents lived in a council house until they saved to be able to buy it. I work 2 jobs to be able to afford to live on my own. I can assure you I’m not middle class 😂
Chief Sunnah based on that logic, you’d rather Adolf Hitler rule over you than a black man??
... It's good they want to solve the issue(s). But not having an understanding of the issues themselves, nor anyone to provide them insight into the issues, hinders their ability to create effective solutions for it.
Very articulate as always we need him on TV more often!
no, we don't.
Articulate nonsense, cherry picked information for anyone with an IQ above 50.
@@honeyglazedgammon2318 Then you clearly don't know about Akala I suggest you do a bit of research before you making such a remark about low IQ.
I’m truly inspired by Akala, always a pleasure hearing him speak. I would love to hear his opinions voiced over the LBC Nick Ferrari show, call in bro.
Very interesting, this is the fact based discussion that needs to happen more often
I wouldn't be surprised about the knife culture and some people have two parents but they both work 12hrs a day on zero hour contract trying to feed their family, and nobody looking after the kids but the taxman don't care.
If you cant afford to have kids without working so much that you can't even spend time raising them then don't have kids.
@@everyman1 then 90% of the population won't be having kids, reproduction is a factor of life
Parents working ..leaving kids alone happens everywhere...in every country. Zero hour contracts are utterly irrelevant....lol. There are far poorer countries in the world who have virtually zero knife crime....
@@enoch6450 Wherever there is poverty, there will be crime. It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest otherwise.
If you don’t like the free market we live in leave😂
He’s a very knowledgeable and articulate young man. Akala made some very good points regarding the factors behind knife crime.
This brother was clued on frm day 1 bck in the day. Respect
Yes my brother keep educating them💯
The comment section is a prime example of people ignoring facts because it goes againt their own bigoted world view.
D death penalty for one
Stats show it does nothing to deter murders
I dont think anyones talking about reinstating the death penalty? This is the UK.
@@notnotness4765 True, but there is a majority in favour of the death penalty for certain crimes in the UK, so as long as that majority exists, there will always be a possibility of its return!
not notness scroll down my friend you will see plenty of said comments
@BigGlockTV Erm When i was in primary a white guy beat me up when i was walking home. There's one.
It's not about poverty. It's about kids having too much stuff and wanting more! Kids in Ghana and Mumbai aren't stabbing each other and the poverty is tenfold...
It's all about culture
@KneeGrow ✓ there's no such thing as black culture. People of African origin have countless cultures just add they have scores of individual countries.
Akala always speaks so eloquently and reasonably, i wish we could clone him a thousand times and have clinics all around the country for young people to drop in and have Akala put em straight
Akala to be a next prime minister 💪🏾
We need the youth clubs back and the people who have walked bad lives who have now grown out of the years akala was mentioning to help the young ones
Yeeessss!!! Bring back youthie!!!!
@@MelodyLOVESMegadeth Girl just sat on a park bench last week done nothing to nobody, yet stabbed by a black boy. Turn the tables; a white man stabs black female for no reason, what would the headline be? We wouldn't hear the end of it. They'd drag it up into every debate, have a remembrance day, the Mother would be made a Dame, and it would be a national holiday. Can anyone even remember the name of the girl stabbed only last week? I rest my case.
Kids don't want to go to youth clubs....kids of all backgrounds like the same things running about parks and the streets drinking and smoking
Couple of crazy comments down there 👇🏼 honestly may be your the problem
Cognitive Dissonance that’s not the real story nobody gets stabbed for no reason ...👀 look it up
Blame everyone but the actual people doing the stabbing.
it's not a blaming game. it's onky really a child mentality when they focus on blame. big people talk is identifying causes and reasons.
when we focus on blame, it's like waiting/hoping for it to happen and deliver our punishment. rwther than thinking "how can we reduce or prevent it?"
Cliff Smith that hasn't worked in Chicago and you think it will work here 😂
Cliff Smith okay blame the killer then what? It won’t stop the killing do you really think that by you blaming them they are going to stop?
Cliff Smith I didn’t know it was communist Russia
Such an articulate speaker. He should consider running as an MP in the next election. Would be dynamite in the House of Commons.
love this guy, I should really go out and buy his book. His interview with James O'Brien was soooo good, I would highly recommend that to everyone.
No tnx i'm not an idiot
Sad truth is you cant stop it and you never will.
As a black man growing up in South London, I used to think black people were uniquely violent. Meeting my girlfriend made me realise that they were simply a product of their environment. She and her black friends are overachievers and some of the classiest people I've ever met. They're all ingrained in a network of strong, stable, self sustaining black people, which stretches far.
It's very easy to get caught up in the race argument, but even when you take the 'stabbing gene' and the bell curve into consideration, reality seems to demonstrate a different explanation. A series of explanations, in fact, that we have yet to examine.
Akala is a great man.... why he hasn’t been given more recognition for his knowledge, passion, intensity and overall expertise I don’t know... he truly deserves some kind of backing to bring his views across. The man can save many lives I believe he can change society....bless this man
I think it's funny how everyone thinks they're part of a marginalized group.
Literally everyone. Even groups that make up the majority of certain countries wants a piece of that victim cake. Does 'It's okay to be white' sound familiar?
That's because the strategy is divide and conquer. Every group of the lower and working classes suffer from being propagandised to hate eachother
@@MrGold-lo6vc Spot on mate. This is why there are so many labels today. It creates the ideal conditions which makes divide & rule possible. If we refuse to play their game we are already halfway there.
Am I being cynical when I suggest that the Government has only just started being concerned about knife crime now it's affecting middle class kids? Also most of the people I know who have done time come out even worse than they were before they went in. For me that a good indication that the prison system is flawed, and I'm just a working class bloke with no GCSE's and brought up in a council house.
Also it's affecting tourism so ££££
I don't think you're being cynical at all. Prison systems in Sweden and some other Scandinavian countries use prison as a rehabilitation system rather than just the standard prison system that is used across the world and it has massively reduced reoffending. We all know that nothing gets done until it affects the white middle class or higher class. That's the way it always has been and always will be.
Our culture is desperately in need of more scholarly public figures.
He says a lot and nothing at all at the same time. Pseudo-intellectual leaning on other people’s research is all I hear.
liquidgeorge - Why is it 'pseudo' intellectual? What he is explaining is quite clear and provides at least, some insight into the nature of this terrible problem. He uses other researcher's research, because...it's exactly that - research; based on investigation, data and objectivity. What's the issue here.
@@TheLuminousOne the issue is he is deflecting what the problem is. Black youths are disproportinately over represented in knife crime statistics. Akala is saying this is not the case, this is simply not true.
You are deficit in the intelligence department.
Just saying.
@@lesleysnipes4854 You are thick upstairs. This is very clear given your inability to comprehend what Akala is saying.
the term "word salad" comes to mind..akala is great at it..he spoke a load of words but actually said very little we all didnt already know..dont be fooled!!!
burrowsgod Rubbish, you either don’t know what word salad means or you didn’t listen to what he was saying properly. Also don’t confuse what you know for what other people know, they’re not the same.
OK, so I've seen the Akala interview and read a lot of the comments...In my opinion race is a red herring and also to a certain extent is poverty, but they not entirely to be ruled out as factors, which simply demonstrates the complexity of the problem. South Asians have also traditionally suffered racism but seem to be more social integrated and industrious, so too are the Chinese. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK in recent years are refugees who have arrived with nothing (often people who have know absolute poverty) and worked hard to improve themselves, so the idea that poverty should serve as a driver or cause of criminality is simply not true.
As a black man I would say exponential disintegration and decline of the black family over generations is a fact and is getting worse. Younger mothers and more absent fathers, family units with no love, discipline or structure; what exactly do you expect when the products of these environments are introduced into society. A society whose fundamental values are alien and even hostile to them. Education is also a key factor, if you are born into an environment of deprivation, abuse and low self esteem, you are more likely to schooled with people just like you and taught by teachers who have low expectations of you, even before you step through the door.
To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what Akala is saying, or if he is inadvertently doing more harm than good. His backstory may describe racism and other causal factors and will appeal to white liberals and other apologists, but he seems to be consolidating a victim mentality, when he should be exhorting young black men to self-improvement and self-empowerment. Blaming the 'white oppressor' is easy, and will not change a thing, because racism and discrimination is not going away anytime soon. But the moment some black kid on some estate picks up a book, unilaterally decides to get educated, create something, or start a business, that's where real change takes place.
So stop blaming other people, slinging insults and own your own power.
Patrick Astwood Brilliant comment, thank you for such a thoughtful reply :)
I don't believe you heard anything he said. If according to you this is a black problem, did you actually hear what he said about the very data he shared? He explained London's black population to be 1.2 million 50 were killed due to knife crime, in Glasgow the population was 600,000 and 40 were killed due to knife crime that's TWO times more! He explained this is NOT a race problem. But as you said "I'm not sure exactly what Akala is saying"!
Also, the same can be said about white families in the UK with young mothers and absent fathers...
@Комиссáр Vasyanka the Glasgow stats are from 2017 so police haven't helped anything.
I live in Glasgow and can tell you London is much safer.
If the is a criminal problem around blacks it's been created because poor areas in Africa are the safest in the country so they didn't inherit this behaviour, they learned it in the west.
@Комиссáр Vasyanka the problem is exclusive to white people, you clearly don't listen to stats, Glasgow and Liverpool are worse and they are exclusively white
@Комиссáр Vasyanka Glasgow has been theurder capital of Europe for most of the last 20 years with no black people
I watched a snippet of this on Twitter and had to see more here. What an impressive guy - I’ll search out this book immediately.
Massive respect for Akala
Why he’s not blaming the criminal it’s nonsense
N GP - because he’s looking for the root of the problem. He’s thinking about what situations create violence.
He ducked the crucial question: Can you divine what is going through the mind of the stabber? "I'm not in a position to moralise." Maybe. Maybe not. But that's the line that is crossed. You can talk the nuance of a white person who stabs, and there is absolutely no doubt that this happens, because, again, a primary red line has been crossed. But when black kids do it it's always something else - poverty, lack of opportunity, etc.. He seems a genuine guy, but the diversion was not unnoticed.
Supermandan totally agree
Weaponisation of the "r" word removes individual responsibility, the cornerstone of the culture of Western man. Dear, oh dear. The cowardice to not confront the contradiction means we're in a real pickle.
@Major T. Poirier I grew up 20 years earlier. You could see this on the horizon, but never thought it would get this bad. The solution, while seemingly not simple, simply is: it's called courage. This is a quality admired universally, and the very thing that is amassing support around the growing symbol who is the man, Tommy Robinson. Irrespective on anyone's views of this man, no one is going to deny his courage, least of all those who disdain to admit it underneath their invective. (That's not to say he is or is not a racist, the whole thing has blown up way beyond this dying word.) Those reliant on the shame induced by the weaponised "r"-word fear their power ebbing away when whitey reaches that very dangerous moment when he stops listening. The moment is coming very, very soon.
Your Hitler comment is revealing. For a supposedly non-religious, secular nation, the ancient weapon of ostracising retains all its power. "Hitler" is literally today's archetype for "Satan". Reflect on this. We are as controllable, in much the same ways, that our ancestors were, because we are all "religious" as we ever were - even if "they" convinced us that we're not.
Were you not listening? He literally said that young people of all races are killing for the same reasons in Glasgow, London, Liverpool and Naples. He’s not diverting the blame from minorities or saying that minorities stab for different reasons than the white majority whatsoever; he clearly did the opposite actually. I’d love to know why you’d glean otherwise?
Young people my age thinking rappers are the philosophers or our time. Here’s a tip. Do some research rather than looking up to grime artists and rappers for your politics considering they are widely responsible for why we are here in the first place.
And yes I’m happy to debate any one that disagrees!
how are rappers and grime artists 'widely responsible for why we are here?'
I would be happy to discuss it with you on our up and coming podcast?
@@aaronwilliams9942 I'm not directly challenging the notion, clearly you've done your research, I was just wondering what it is that makes them responsible?
This man places violent crime into an historical context, backed up by academic studies. He highlights the social factors which lead to violent crime and rejects simplistic racially-loaded arguments with in the first minute of the interview. Amazing.
Getting to the ROOT of the issues here is what needs to happen,increasing policing is papering over the cracks...increasing policing is not helping educate young people and helping them heal and grow from issues that are sometimes drummed into them from birth by direct influences around them...some of these children committing these crimes have been through terrible trauma...hurt people hurt people 😔
Akala for Prime Minister 🇬🇧
This touches a nerve of the bigoted and those with a superiority complex in this country...Love it...
@portlandstone3mw Yeah yeah, and all blacks need stop using the race card, build more prisons, Stop and search, blah blah blah... What did he say here that is bigoted?
Yeah, i was going to say, akala is one of yhe most bigoted people, with a superiority complex ive ever heard speak. The neoliberal elites wheel him out, as their trump card, every now and then.
@@kitbag4237 This was a better contribution from Akala...less focus on racism for example and more on broader social issues.
In the past he has basically just race-baited and fallen into the same trap as those he rails against
@@angloirishcad Ok I'll give you that, his constant use of the word "they" for example, in previous interviews did make me cringe. I hope he's grown out of that...
@portlandstone3mw FYI... this isn't a race issue mate, there's facts and figures to prove it. Theres plenty of predominantly white areas where youve got an equal chance of getting shanked as in london. Stop basing your ignorant opinion on the sun news paper, the real numbers don't lie...
He touches on a great point about those key years people need help getting through.
Akala is an absolute legend. Excellently put. #akalaforPM
I seriously think that would be a brilliant idea. No sarcasm.
XDD... oh you're serious... XDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
This man needs to be protected at all costs.
He should run for prime minister
Because ‘doing road’ is more glamorized than ‘learning a skill or trade’ or ‘furthering your mind’.
I remember seeing the cops stop some kid outside the Macca’s in Barking who was maybe 12 or 13 and he had the most vicious looking hunting knife I’ve ever seen concealed in his trakkies.
Shit’s sad, honestly.
That's exactly what Akala is saying. If we can deter more kids from this mind set early on, there would be no need to arrest them in the future. Sadly the investment required for such a reform is not something the powers that be would be willing to supply (i don't think anyway). As it's not just as simple as "hey kids, stop doing bad stuff" but rather providing the means for independent growth for these communities. When you have nothing, ANYTHING is better than being poor, helpless and bored - might as well be on road with the bros.
'bout that road life' is the dumbest thing I've ever heard man. It's glamorised way too much and these new rappers, with their high profiles should educate the youngers, rather than pretend to be gangsters.
Wow ,nail on the head, seriously people like this need a position in power, this is so good !!
Akala seriously needs he’s own show he speaks so much truth RESPECT!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I live in Cornwall the second most economically poorest place in northern Europe and there is no epidemic knife crime. Poverty does not cause violent crime, children growing up with out a father does.
Does Cornwall have less diversity?
So how do you explain Glagows issue with knife crime, when it was the murder capital of Europe?
@@Tomwenn Glasgow has one of the highest rates of fatherless family's in the UK.
@@uzi_Justice Never came up in the discussions about Glasgow gang violence, though. Why would that be?
Did father's suddenly stop abandoning their children in Glasgow? Or were multiple measures and a lot of money put in place to help Glasgow become a very different city...
@@jameswhiteley6843 we have lots of diversity. Race or racism is not the problem, feminists telling women they don't need a man to raise their children is.
Accurate and correct. Well done Akala.
Man, I really like Akala. Really intelligent, insightful man who has a good knowledge on serious issues and actually knows what he's talking about and speaks really wisely. He doesn't just drawl over topics he may think he knows more about than he does, he speaks about important things that he has really good, insightful knowledge on. Top guy
Some good points but gangs are getting more confident with less police and gangs are one of the biggest issues
@TheActivistBook We are going back to those times
@TheActivistBook I agree. Maybe they should have invested the police cuts into youth clubs etc but unfortunately the conservatives are terrible
Abraham wrong
way more people of colour on this planet than white people,for "whites" to consume more than people of colour "whites" would have to consume kilos per month
@TheActivistBook At the heart of the matter you have a establishment and a Murdoch press in this country is unwilling to confront the racist dichotomy that is the UK today in all it's spheres. Which manifest itself in racism imbalances that target n stifle people of colour at all levels. I'm 9 times more likely to be arrest and sent to prison than a white male. That is a fact.
You never got his point. More police does not get rid of root cause. These kids grow up believing violence and killing is acceptable - why? You think having more police will change their mindset?
Outstanding analysis from a well informed, intelligent commentator not using any pathematic rhetoric. Can we have this excellent young person on television more please.
I normally find Akala to be racist against White people etc etc. I don't agree with him normally. However, here, he is spot on. Knife crime is not a Black problem.
“Racist against white people”…
are you fucking serious 🤦♂️
@@KodakKid
Yes, racist against white people.
We call it "consistency" when dealing with the logic of akala
@@KodakKid he does hate whites.
I certainly don't agree with everything he says, but I always like to listen when he speaks, erudite, concise and talented. I'm amazed we don't see more of him than we do. For anyone who doesn't know what he does search 'fire in the booth part 1'
What don’t u agree with lol?
He’s wrong, only guys ive seen that have spoken any sense on this topic is David Haye and Tyson Fury. They both stated that only reason people are carrying knives is cos they’re too afraid to use their fists and don’t know how to fight. Dunno about you, but I’d rather schools teach boxing and self defence rather than having A bunch of guys running round with knives cos they’re too afraid to fight
Even this arguement made sense, now things have esculated to knives, this is no longer a solution.
Knives are easily accessible. 90% of the time a knife weirding child will win against whoever he’s in a conflict with. Why get caught short? Why is someone who’s experienced in fighting not going to take a knife out aswell? Even as a backup?
People need to pay attention to Akala. He's constantly striving to learn and improve his understanding of social, political and legal issues, and it really shows when he speaks. He's very intelligent, and articulates himself brilliantly. And as always, he's absolutely spot on here. When you pay attention to this man, you learn.
Akala is clear, erudite, a brilliant mind
Akala is a refreshing educator and his communicating style is so engaging.
He missed out one of the biggest indicators, fatherless homes.
Let's have the evidence, please. Or... just another race code?
@@rosa6199 thats Sowell and hes written like 40 books on social science and economics since the 70s. Hes not someone to dismiss. He also doesn't say that young men turning to violent crime is "cultural", he mentions cultural differences when it comes to disparities in areas of work, which there most certainly are. Hes not only looked at the studies, hes conducted studies himself that other experts use as references. But because he blows your convenient victimhood narrative out the window you'll dismiss him.
@TheActivistBook you read some Akala books and now think hes the expert lol. You need to read a lot more.
A positive male role model can help to guide young boys away from the wrong crowd but girls are also involved in these killings for one.
Domestic violence and child abuse add to young men being on the street and living out what they learned.
The biggest factors are poverty and lack of good education, going home to a cold home and no food, mother and father working not spending time with their children.
All these are contributing factors to the high level of crime, not single mothers. Stop with the stereotype, sexist nonsense.
I have 3 boys went to college got my qualifications worked with children with additional needs for 16 years.
Going university and I am a single mother, none of my boys has ever been in any kind of trouble with the law.
@@denisebrown2994 first of all there is nothing sexist about it. God bless single mothers. But there is only so much one parent can do and both boys and girls do better with both parents in a functioning relationship.
And poverty and education are much more likely to be issues for households with only one parent earning a wage (if that). That's what happens when you're poor, you have to settle for living in shitty areas that have shitty schools.
I'm not saying it all comes down to this one factor, i said it's "one of...". But its certainly too significant not to mention.
As for your own experience, hats off to you! You seem to be doing very well under the circumstances, but you should know that you are the exception, not the rule. I would be willing to bet that if there was a study done with all the young boys in gangs in London the vast majority of them would come from broken homes.
Domestic violence also plays a part of course, but that's not a "systemic" issue either, and it seems like Akala is going at this from a "systemic oppression" angle.
Akaka always delivers truthful, insightful, knowledge based information. Makes sense.
LOVE THIS GUY ............ IM A STRAIGHT WHITE MALE.
A self hating one no-doubt too?
BETA
You're great! It takes a lot of courage, wisdom and compassion to recognise one's privilege and be part of the changes for good!
JAMES WHITELEY Why is she self hating?
Isometric Aquariums Why did you feel need to state that? Love him regardless, race or sexual orientation doesn't come into it
Akala, that is so refreshing to hear and inspirational. The way you articulate yourself is honourable and gives us (mixed race/black people) a great feeling to hear somebody represent us in this way.
Listen ive followed this guy for over 12 yrs he has the tools to go higher. U can't stop Kinsley
I love this guy - such an eloquent speaker, and so widely read, so much information at his fingertips. He would never want to be one, but I wish we could have people like him in politics.
At last...Someone with sense..
Where?!
Akala - always nice to hear wise words!
Love hearing Akala speak
I love akala. I could listen to him all day.
Akala needs to get back on the mic uno. Much love
That first look into the Camera from Akala, I felt the LOOK "Compassion" and it was saying compassion and peace man!!
so why does he hate so many people?
I gave up tv years ago to its instruction not information
No deal best deal
It's called programming for a reason.
MrB1923
Very observant- and correct
The internet has been responsible for more even more programming in recent years. All these disinformation websites, facebook groups, twitter accounts people believe they're thinking for themselves while they have this garbage fed to their subconscious.
@TheActivistBook Definitely, one problem with the internet and social media is confirmation bias and the use of algorithms that feed you certain stories based on what you've previously watched. This results in people getting caught in their own 'bubbles' of opinion. You could say that more discerning surfer would view all types of media but these people are rare. Fake news is another huge problem, with state actors trying to divide a country's population along racial and religious lines.
Akala is amazingly articulate and so much knowledge. Got your book - Natives. This is a great interview.
The problem is bad parents and not proper policing. Put these people in prison for serious sentences.
You are absolutely right on the bad parenting .The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
I'm not sure of putting them in prisons will solve the problem though.
Broad in aspect with optional to view.
@@UncleBright The Bible also instructs you on how to treat your slaves. We don't need to consult bronze age texts to come up with "bad parenting leads to bad children", so let's leave the medieval ideologies out of sensible discussion
Good to hear sensible debates.
The part where he says about poverty, most of these people are walking around with the latest smartphones and flatscreen TV in their houses, it's about getting your priorities right in my opinion. Everyone regarding of race are given the same basic education, I managed to work my way from a working class upbringing into something slightly better but forcing myself through education and staying focused. It's always someone else's fault, parents need to take responsibility for their children, these kids need to take responsibility for themselves.
James well said James, what has happened to personal responsibility
Yes mate but you got to remember a lot of these black areas children are bought up in poverty and without male role models, this makes it so easy for a young boy to be influced to join a gang, the older gang memebers groom these kids into the lifestyle by showing them the clothes the money and so on, we need educate these children in london better and keep them off the streets where the grooming can happen. Its not as simple as Good person and bad person
@@arronboakes5856 that's a fair comment
Middle class bi racial boy raised in a white household. Please. What does he know about our community?
Please someone get this guy a political party of his own.