John-Paul Flintoff on #RiotCleanUp

I’m typing this quickly, to get it out before I hear that any more rioting has started, and before setting out to run a class this evening at The School of Life for any intrepid learners not scared to venture out too.

So: #RiotCleanUp. I have been very excited since first seeing this combination of words last night, while the riots were still going.

You see, I’m trying to finish writing a book about changing the world (I know!), but am struggling with the dense horror of the term “non-violent action”. I love the idea, but the words are so off-putting.

I think that #RiotCleanUp more or less conveys much the same idea: it’s dramatic, but also wholesome. There’s a bit of yin and yang going on, as my Chinese doctor might put it: a hint of the liveliness of “riot” that was relished by, among others, the “Riot Grrrrrl” punks, but also sober helpfulness and putting-things-right.

I’ve been a fan of the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh for some time, ever since reading one of his books opened my eyes to the possibility of (momentary) enlightenment while washing up. So any movement that takes as its logo a yellow washing up glove is a movement I want to belong to.

(Not that I usually wear washing up gloves, as it happens, because they don’t seem ever to fit my big hands. And washing up gloves are hardly what you need when gathering the broken shards of glass after a riot. But they’re immediately identifiable, and I like them.)

Anyway, am off shortly. But before I go, I’m going to make a trial badge using this image and a make-your-own-badges kit that my brother gave my daughter for her birthday a couple of years ago.

If it’s any good, I might make lots more, the industrial way, and even try to get retailers to sell them.

Would be glad to know what you think.

John Paul Flintoff is a faculty member of The School of Life.  Follow his tumblr here and keep your eye out for #RiotCleanUp badges coming soon........Join the clean up at www.riotcleanup.co.uk

Comments

[Kathleen Franks]

I remember the word riot. It came to my memory the experience I had when I visited my uncle. The moment I entered their house, the riot just across their house came like a world war to me.

[Mary Allen]

It is true that everybody must think of the worthiness of one thing before going directly to it.

[claudia]

On the other hand, it would be interesting to analyze why substituting London's cleaning services and helping big corporations through volunteer work is commendable. Most small businesses will receive money either from insurers or from the police (according to the riots act). Isn't volunteer work mainly used to fill non-marketable, under funded gaps?

It would also be interesting to think why all this good will is not directed at helping people suffering through poverty, social or racial exclusion but towards retail and personal aesthetics ("getting my street squeaky clean").

Lovely that people can get together for a common cause but maybe there's more to be done than retouch make up.