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England riots: The whites have become black

It was only a matter of time before the lens through which the riots in England were viewed became racialised.

Historian David Starkey has told BBC’s Newsnight ”the whites have become black” in a discussion on the England riots with author and broadcaster Dreda Say Mitchell and the author of Chavs, Owen Jones.

He also hit out at what he called the ”destructive, nihilistic gangster culture” which he said ”has become the fashion.”

However, as a historian this man should know that, perhaps the blacks in England are only doing what their ”country men” have for centuries done to other countries and whole continents. The masters of looting and pillaging from Africa to Asia have notably been people from the British Isles.

David Starkey does, however, bring a fresh perspective to the debate in finding out what the underlying causes of the riots are. His views may be offensive to some but they are views that are held by many who may not neccessarily share them in a public forum.

What do you think? Is he right?

Related: London Riots: 10 ways Africa can help England