An Active Dialogue between Young People, Local Schools and Academics

Responding to the Riots: A Sociological Dialogue

On 1 December 2011, Reprezent 107.3 FM volunteers were invited to present their views on the riots of Summer 2011 to Goldsmiths College Sociology Department, and the Centre for Urban and Community Research.

The workshop was not only an attempt to reconsider the unprecedented scale of the events and different interpretations on them, but also an active dialogue between young people, local schools and academics.

Young volunteers made a presentation that elaborated their experience of the riots and showcased Reprezent 107.3 FM’s coverage. They also led a workshop through which the audience explored ten different causes of the riots. During a heated discussion, they explored the multiple elements that contributed to the riots, and how different people drew conclusions to the causes depending on their agendas.

Marxsi, Okorie and Tarek at the workshop. Photograph: Jack Goffe

Marxsi, one of our presenters, says, “I found it very fulfilling. I got a chance to hear different views on what people thought about the riots as well as airing my own views. It was really interesting to see that there were a lot of people who shared the same views as me, and it was also good to hear views and really interesting ideas that I had never heard before. I hope there will be more opportunities like this.”

For more information, please visit: http://www.gold.ac.uk/cucr/events/eventtitle,29577,en.php and http://www.gold.ac.uk/staff/latest-news/title,30507,en.php