Essay: Essay review: 'Big Brother isn't watching you' (Russell Brand)

The article has been written by Russell Brand, who is a British actor, comedian, musician and writer. ‘Big Brother isn’t watching you’ is an article of Russell’s point of view on the London riots. The problem that Russell Brand is trying to understand started in the summer of 2010 where officers from Operation Trident and some other officers had in mind to arrest Mark Duggan but Mark Duggan refused to be arrested. Mark Duggan got shot by the police and died. His death led to many violent demonstrations in London. Many innocent people lost their lives and many of homes were actually destroyed. This period of vandalism and killing was a very expensive for the British society.
Even though Russell Brand lives in Los Angeles he still feels a very strong connection to his native country. Because of that he feels that the problem about the London riots is his problem as well. His strong connection to his native country is reflected in his choice of words in the article he uses words as ‘bloody’ and ‘the Old Bill’ which is used conversationally in Britain.
Russell Brand’s way of writing is different from other articles. He uses irony and a lot of sarcasm which is expressed when he writes about the UK government and the way the hare handling the whole situation on. It says in line 49-51: ‘I’ve heard Theresa May and the Old Etonians whose hols have been curtailed (many would say they’re the real victims) saying the behavior is ‘unjustifiable’ and ‘unacceptable’. Wow! Thanks guys! What a wonderful use of the planet’s fast-depleting oxygen recourses. Now that’s been dealt with we can move on to more taxing matters such as whether or not Jack the Ripper was a ladies’ man’..’. He here points out that instead of looking on the real problem the government is more busy telling its and unacceptable behavior but what is real tragic is that their holidays have been shortened. And he continues here emphasize that the government can’t see the bigger picture but sees the obvious. Which he emphasize when he uses humor and draws a parallel to Jack The Ripper. He is obviously making fun of them.
Russell Brand does sympathize with the riots. He feels that they all are obligated to help these riots and make them feel like they belong and are a part of the society. In line 114-117 it says:’If we want to live in a society where people feel included, we must include them, where they feel represented, we must represent them and where they feel love and compassion for their communities then we, members of that community, must find love and compassion for them’.
He do in this article also points out that he has earlier in his life felt the void but he was lucky to have mother who loved him and a father who encouraged him to do what he wanted because there was nothing beyond his reach. He uses his own personal story to let the reader know that he doesn’t just say something to say something or mean something to mean something. It gives him logos. He actually has tried it himself and that is why he sympathizes with the riots – he can relate to the frustration they feel. It makes him more reliable and then there is the fact that he is a known face in the world so maybe he can reach to more people.
Russell Brand’s view on the whole situation is very realistic in comparesment with the government. The government will not admit that the reason why the riots act like they do is because they don’t have an education and they don’t have a lot of money. They don’t feel they get the attention they need from the government. Russell Brand refers to David Cameron’s speech he held in 2006 where he argued for a more understanding attitude towards young people on the margin of society. In this speech he says ‘hug a hoodie’. But as Russell Brand says in line 91-93: ”but I haven’t seen him doing it. Why would he? Hoodies don’t vote, they’ve realized it’s pointless, that whoever gets elected will just be a different shade of the ‘we don’t give a toss about you’ party’. Here he points out the young people point of view and their frustration. Because no matter what they do and who they vote on there just isn’t any difference. They will always be in periphery of the society. Russell Brand says in line 105-106: ‘If we don’t want our young people to tear apart our communities then don’t let people in power tear apart the values that hold our communities together’. This is from Russell Brand’s point of view the riots motive. The reason they act like they do and do the things they do.
Russell Brand ends his article with a request. A request to all in the UK not the government because this is not a political problem but a spiritual problem. He quotes from Ghandi in line 112-113: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’
Be the change you want to see in the world is the phrase that the riots were trying to act after. They didn’t feel they were being heard but after they started burning down houses and with violent demonstrations they were listened to. They were the change they wanted to see in the world.