As part of the Teach First Youth Speaker Series a non-profit organisation called Fully Focused screened a documentary that they have made called Riot from Wrong. The documentary focuses on the 2011 riots which swept through cities across the country last year. Fully Focused are planning on touring schools and are continuing to host special screenings for high profile audiences, including an upcoming screening at the House of Commons next month. If you haven’t seen it I suggest you do..and here’s why.

I remember when the riots began last year I was living near Peckham in South London..I could see lots of smoke from outside and my local shops had been completely smashed up. At first I was confused as to why these young people were out stealing, setting fires and destroying their own neighbourhoods. It was complete madness and this turned to anger. I think I felt angry because of my lack of understanding.

What I love about this inspiring documentary is that it tells the story from the very beginning, to hear from those closest to Mark Duggan and to those on the streets. The film was made by 14 young people who have credibility and access to those involved in the riots. The fact that they came together to try and create something positive from such a negative turn of events is something that other young people can learn from. This is a way to hear from the youth themselves.

The media has a way of manipulating how we should think about certain situations but Riot from Wrong has certainly opened my eyes and has allowed me to have a greater understanding of a generation which feels disempowered. Both sides of the argument are shared with non-biased views.

It was great to reflect as an audience afterwards and speak with the Fully Focused team, they should be proud and I really hope lots more people watch Riot from Wrong as I feel that these guys got closer to the truth than many of the journalists out there. For Teach First it has given us the opportunity to hear directly and engage with young people on an issue that relates to them.

If you wish to view the documentary the next screenings are listed below:

Thursday 18th October @ 8pm at Cuts Cafe 1 Stamford St London SE1 9NT
Saturday 20th Oct time TBC around 7pm at Heygate Estate - Elephant and Castle - Pop Up Cinema (Very cool) info via Facebook – free
Tuesday 23rd Oct @ 5.30pm London Metropolitan Uni - Book here for free
Thursday 25th Oct @ 4pm Queen Mary University - Book here for free
Thursday 25th @ 6pm Garden Court Barristers Chambers - Human Rights Film Festival - Nearly sold out!

Katy Brown
Teach First employee