The young urban male demographic needs less social engineering

Diane Abbott MP is to make a speech on "masculinity" tomorrow:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/14/male-identity-crisis-machismo-abbott

Presumably she is basing her speech on knowledge of men in her Hackney North & Stoke Newington constituency.

There are three areas she needs to cover:

The way in which poor social housing has made ordinary family life impossible and trapped many individuals in cramped modernist-brutalist apartments on concrete canyon estates where they feel the stress of a lifestyle so alienating that their response is often depression and / or aggression (in the same way that caged animals become neurotic).

The development of the teaching profession into a velvet ghetto so that teenage boys now associate education with being controlled by women authority figures - some will adapt well to this, most will rebel (and we should remember that it is natural for young people to rebel against authority and seek to define themselves as different from the prevailing authority culture).

The insidious influence of hip hop culture with its narrative of recreational violence, homophobia, and contempt for women.  Professor David Starkey famously (or infamously, depending on your point of view) told Emily Maitlis on Newsnight "the whites have gone black".  By this he meant that the attitudes of hip hop culture (attitudes often copied from American prototypes) have become too influential among young people in urban areas.

Above:  various lefties discussing the Diane Abbott speech in advance on Twitter.  I am afraid the left is once again demonstrating its irrelevance.  A "Feminism for Men" event is hardly likely to be attended by the individuals identified by Diane Abbott as exhibiting "machismo and heartlessness". 

The young urban male demographic needs less social engineering, not more.

Understanding the B demographic 17

The attitude of the media towards the demographic is often criticised - even in so-called sympathetic newspapers (Guardian, Independent) the coverage is often patronising and unsympathetic.

Although the demographic believes itself to be uniquely disadvantaged, in real terms their standard of living is very much higher than that of their parents and grandparents (even allowing for relatively high rates of youth unemployment).

Many of the nominally unemployed are engaged in informal economic activity - unacknowledged and untaxed, and therefore unable to appear on any CV or formal job application.

Difficult to gauge the access the demographic has to guns - lots of talk, but it may just be braggadocio.

Almost all contacts knew someone in their age group who had committed suicide.

STDs are reportedly a growing problem, with little in the way of official help.

Understanding the B demographic 16

The demographic complains frequently that although they acknowledge some degree of wrong-doing, the police response to this is out of proportion and no-one (least of all the older generations within their community) seem interested in supporting them.

There is a high rate of crime between different members of the demographic, sometimes of a very acute nature, and yet almost no-one feels they can report these crimes to the police - in this respect the demographic represents a Darwinian society in which might is right and the strongest enforce their will with impunity (it is interesting to speculate how individuals who have grown up in this milieu will relate to society once they have become middle-aged or elderly).

Lobby groups representing the larger community often work against the demographic (perhaps unintentionally) in framing discussions on new laws, policing and the court system - in part this is because the larger community does not understand the young demographic, and does not sympathise with their world outlook (if I am interpreting things correctly essentially the larger community subscribes to the mores of mainstream society, whereas the demographic is a world unto itself).

Cultural treatment of the demographic has been exploitative since the 1970s, although the nature of this exploitation has become increasingly subtle - individuals from the demographic are portrayed in ways that young males in the mainstream community seldom are.

Understanding the B demographic 15

Police tactics in some areas, designed to prevent anti-social activity, has been interpreted by the demographic as harassment.

Fashions adopted by the demographic can sometimes be viewed by outsiders as intimidating, and so reinforces their alienation.

"Gangs" are often no more than associations of friends, with no overtly criminal intentions.

Is graffiti art vandalism or a valid form of cultural expression?

The police are in an impossible position as often the local community is insisting that they carry out "zero tolerance" tactics that are seen by the demographic as harassment.

Understanding the B demographic 14

The B demographic resents the older generations for their lack of practical achievement in roles of power (as opposed, I assume, to the window-dressing we see everywhere).

The demographic adopts an extreme libertarian standpoint when discussing drugs policy.

Part of the perceived bias of the police towards the demographic revolves around the issue of drugs - the demographic genuinely and sincerely does not believe possession and trading of drugs is wrong, and therefore regards the attitude of the police in suppressing drugs as simply a manifestation of their bias.

Sentences related to drugs offences are keenly discussed, and everyone is aware of the latest cases before the courts (even the most marginal ones).

Inter-gang hostility and violence is not seen as anti-social, but as a "normal" part of life - attempts to curb such violence are regarded with contempt.

Prison is talked about as if it were the continuation of everyday life but in a confined institution.

"Manhood" starts at ridiculously early ages in the demographic, and even very young teenagers are referred to as "men" (or self-refer themselves).

Understanding the B demographic 13

There is a significant difference in outlook between the older generations who are parochial, inward-looking, insula (families literally originating from islands in most cases) and the demographic which has a more global outlook - and has absorbed a Londoncentric view of the world.

The gulf in the minority community between those who have an adequate standard of living and those we can term deprived is greater than the same gulf in mainstream society (or in other words, "middle class" people in the minority community are relatively much wealthier than the community's "underclass" - the rich are comparatively richer and the poor are comparatively poorer).

Incomes of unskilled workers in the minority community have plummeted over the last decade, adding to the hopelessness the demographic expresses.

With traditional unskilled and semi-skilled employment disappearing, the demographic has shown entrepreneurial ability in creating alternative streams of income, although these are often bordering on legality or in some cases are actually illegal.

Almost all of the demographic interviewed knows someone in prison or who has recently served a prison sentence.

Equalities legislation has made no effective difference to their lives and they frequently refer to "slavery" as a way of describing their present state.

Understanding the B demographic 12

When considering whether assimilation might be possible, important to recognise that assimilation has already taken place in several key cultural aspects - in this the demographic is more advanced than their parents or grandparents.

Assimilation is more likely among young males than young females.

Is there a connection between the cultural output of the demographic (which is significant) and the negative behaviour the demographic is known for - violent, anti-social, criminal.

Need to understand why the demographic under-performs in terms of participation in society - is it simply a matter of discrimination; or lack of self-confidence; or is there another factor we should look at?

The demographic is so constituted as to act against the emergence of leaders other than at the very local level - this sense of localism is interesting as it indicates that individuals within the demographic are very strongly motivated by a sense of place (and perhaps indicates that the first organisation to offer a relevant kind of political leadership might succeed in prising the demographic away from the traditional political allegiance of the older generations).

Important to look at the cultural output of the demographic (music, video, fashion etc) as this indicates a dissatisfaction with the community they belong to and a desire for a new identity.

Krept & Konan - I PLAY DIRTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbJei-a_LjY

Swagged up from early, more clothes than Woolworths, you heard me
So let me state this, I've always got new jerseys
I like my girls naked, I get threesomes, that's great shit
One girl, on her knee-yo, then I showed her Matrix

I know feds still want me in a cell
We're the cool kids, tell a boy get a phone

You don't want me to get serious, cause you're gonna need an ambulance

Understanding the B demographic 11

The demographic has no communal allegiance, and when asked to choose will consistently affirm that personal interest is more important than community advantage.

Body language is an area that could be studied - "attitude".

Personal ethics, and a sense of self-awareness, are not provided within a family or school context but are absorbed from popular culture (advertising, music videos, fashion etc).

In its celebration of "self first", in its cult of individual expression, and in its obsession with materialist goods the demographic can be described as archetypal Thatcherite (although they are unconscious of this fact).

The demographic defines itself almost entirely in capitalist terms, ironic given their exclusion from participation in capitalism.

The demographic has an odd attitude towards privacy and their lifestyles seem entirely designed for the public sphere to the point that they become someone else when not in public (perhaps I am expressing this badly - I mean that they cease to be the same person, perhaps even suffer a negation of personality, when not in their peer group).

The young B demographic is:  male, age groups 18-25 and 26-34 (and possibly 35-44 but this is to be confirmed); socio-economic groups C2, D, E; geographic location urban, particularly inner city.

Understanding the B demographic 10

One of the most striking characteristics of the demographic is that almost all of them are worse-off than their parents - possibly this contributes to the inter-generational hostility.

On the whole the demographic does not seem to have any regional variations - in this sense they have developed a pan-British identity.

Atheism is not a part of their weltanschauung - these are people who still seem to have a nominal Christian affiliation, although the interpretation may be unorthodox and tend towards a vague spirituality.

Frequent references to the experiences they face in everyday life, this reality being expressed as harsher and more intractable than the semi-mythical "struggles" faced by older generations.

The demographic repeatedly defines itself by reference to music, music video and fashion.

Mention of the Equality and Human Rights Commission is met with derision.

The young B demographic is:  male, age groups 18-25 and 26-34 (and possibly 35-44 but this is to be confirmed); socio-economic groups C2, D, E; geographic location urban, particularly inner city.

Genesis Elijah - Battle Cry UK

Genesis Elijah performing Battle Cry UK in the stairwell of a multi-storey car park (the sort of brutalist architecture favoured by Rowan Moore).

http://www.hiphopinenglish.com/genesis-elijah-battle-cry-uk/

It’s unfair to compare me with all these clowns,
I trap them in the circus tent before I torch it down…

Warring me is suicide and I ain’t trying to talk you down,
Please jump, I’ll be waiting at the bottom,
Put your body in a body bag, weighted at the bottom,
Throw it in the Thames, have you sailing to the bottom,
Or leave it in your place until the neighbours smell the rotten…

Straight to the point, never talk sideways,
Might answer with a blade ‘cos I don’t talk primate…

You’re staring at the bullet through the barrel of a rifle,
Poking at the trigger son, you’re bound to get an eyeful…

In high school took out pupils like Stevie’s eyeballs,
Nothing for me to fight through,
When I’m done they’ll cover this kid’s face with a blanket…

Fuck what you write fool, nigga you talk shit,
I just laugh how you dissing each other you’re all shit…

I’ll take your head off your shoulders,
And post it to your missus B…

Even the most optimistic reading of these words must conclude that there is a lot of violent imagery here.  To whom is this violence directed?  It appears to be towards others within the demographic.

Understanding the B demographic 9

A number of youthful (although no longer exactly young) activists claim to represent the demographic particularly with regard to relations with the police, but I could find no evidence of support for these activists; generally the opinion is that the activists represent only themselves and are interested in only themselves.

Nevertheless, an impressive array of cultural commentators have written about the demographic including musicians, journalists, "cultural curators" and academics - I am not looking at any of this work, but if you get time you might want to do some further desk research.

The inter-generational chasm that separates the demographic from older generations seems to be, in part, focused on differing attitudes towards illegal substances.

Although a bourgeoisie has developed within the minority community, there does not seem to be any class-based conflict - the minority bourgeoisie is very close to the minority underclass and children of the minority bourgeoisie are often found in the demographic.

The demographic is often obsessed with materialist culture, and aims to acquire significant amounts of money quickly (the mundane route of working for money is rejected as a blind alley that will not deliver quickly enough, if it ever delivers at all).

Possibly the hostility the demographic shows towards the opposite sex may be related to the high divorce rates in the older generations - this is just a hunch, but you might want to pursue the idea.

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzvGKas5RsU

Attitudes to women:

I chirpse her just for fun, I never ever call her phone
I leave her in the club, I never ever walk her home

Obviously "leave her in the club" might have a double meaning.

Understanding the B demographic 8

The demographic feels crushed by their parents and grandparents.  It seems the older generations have initiated this intergenerational repression.  And yet the older generations regard the younger generations with considerable feelings of admiration (but cannot express this admiration and cannot accept their rejection of the community's "teachings").

The community has its "heroes" but these are rejected by the younger generations who venerate anti-heroes.

These anti-heroes are celebrated in music fused with a crude but inventive style of poetry.

Violence permeates almost all creative expression - the generation sees itself as "doomed".

An almost impenetrable underculture has developed, shielding the demographic from observation by external commentators, especially their parents.

Ethnicity, although important, is not fundamental to their weltanschauung - which is formed by a complex attitude towards their parents, an abusive (there is no other word for it) relationship with the opposite sex, a debilitating experience of long-term unemployment, and an apathetic fatalism towards mainstream culture which they feel has rejected them.

Wretch 32 - 'Black and White'

But i remember being eight
Thinking how do i get a chain?
Now i gave mine away
Because the goals got to change
Or you get caught offside in the crossfire

The reason i never had a heart
Is because i never had a chance
Playing monopoly thinking will i
Ever get a yard?

Now i want to see my people
Evolve sho

You know you’re your own man
When you’re giving advice to your
Old man

I just wanna be heard

Understanding the B demographic 7

There are strong indications that the latest male generation of the demographic is distinct from all previous generations:

1. They have been excessively influenced by the criminal justice system.
2. Their experience of unemployment has been deeper and more profound than previous generations.
3. Attitudes towards women have changed from an old-fashioned patriarchal sexism to a contemptuous animosity.
4. A questioning about their identity - with some evidence of a quest to develop a new identity, often expressed as being on a personal journey.
5. A rejection of education, politics and activism.
6. A creative awakening of music and creative lifestyles.

The young B demographic is:  male, age groups 18-25 and 26-34 (and possibly 35-44 but this is to be confirmed); socio-economic groups C2, D, E; geographic location urban, particularly inner city.

Rascals - Fire Blaze

And nah it won't change and no you cannot relate
Cah my world's different, a new day a new wave

"Rascals against the world" - signifies alienation but also the defiant elan of a closed community.

 











Drinking up whatever's in my cup
And we live it up cause it feels right
Rip him up if he's spitting tough
And we'll hit him up cause we kill guys
Physically or mentally
 

 











We running London town
We'll raise the underground
Nah fool you ain't f*cking with a Rascal

Hooded youths with baseball bats running through smoke - perhaps a reference to the riots of 2011 which was a momentous time for the demographic and one of the few occasions when it was able to intrude into the consciousness of the mainstream culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfc0jd1525o

Understanding the B demographic 6

The demographic is aggrieved with the obsessive way the older generations focus their attention on equality rights - a struggle they regard as irrelevant when compared to the more acute issues in their lives.

The demographic is aware they possess a cultural power, particularly through music (and also to a lesser extent film and poetry), but is uncertain how to use that power.

The demographic resents the automatic association made between their generation and anti-social behaviour.

Immense frustration at the inability to break free from the constraints of poverty.

Although the demographic has achieved a certain degree of solidarity, this feeling of brotherhood is based on a celebration of negative attributes (anti-education, derogatory towards woman, celebratory of criminal lifestyles) that most of them privately admit they do not subscribe to.

The demographic is openly contemptuous of community leaders and community workers who try to influence their behaviour.


The young B demographic is:  male, age groups 18-25 and 26-34 (and possibly 35-44 but this is to be confirmed); socio-economic groups C2, D, E; geographic location urban, particularly inner city.

Chip - Londoner feat Wretch 32

Chip - Londoner feat Wretch 32 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7AOoqksLMc

With the Union Jack sofa, British bulldog, and Bud Flanaganesque Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner playing, this could be Nigel Farage's living room.  What are we to make of this iconography?  Is it "reclaiming" elements of Britishness; is it a yearning to enter the national cultural mainstream; or is it just a flaunting of symbols designed to annoy the older generations (one can imagine the disgust of Gary Younge or Benjamin Zephaniah)?

"...a little bit of yards in me they shooting, no they recording me..." 

"...Niggas claim they in it for the long run but I leave them dead..."

"...Cops wanna pop us..."

Understanding the B demographic 5

The demographic is effectively at war - intercultural war, inter-generational war, and a war with the opposite gender.

There is also, for some, the issue of "war" related to the state enforcement of the prohibition of illegal substances.

Need to ask how much of mainstream politics is relevant to the demographic - certainly macro decisions affect their lives, but are they conscious of this; can we say that the demographic has a political awareness; how do they approach participation in the political process?

One can say that compared to the "struggle" the demographic feels in everyday life, the wider political struggle is insignificant.  In many ways this relates to their exclusion from participation in economic life.  Whether they are self-excluded or excluded as a result of some other factor remains to be established.

A picture emerges of terrible neglect - neglected education, poor housing, high unemployment, little access to credit facilities, neglect by older generations, neglect by their nominal political representatives.

The young B demographic is:  male, age groups 18-25 and 26-34 (and possibly 35-44 but this is to be confirmed); socio-economic groups C2, D, E; geographic location urban, particularly inner city.