Disturbing footage of violence, riots and looting in the United States has reminded us of what can happen when society loses control of itself.

Overt anger and frustration, often stemming from a just protest or cause, can unlock the doors to let ‘all hell break loose’.

As a result, it is invariably the most innocent or well-meaning who get caught in the crossfire as criminal, mob and opportunistic elements seize opportunities to exploit heightened tensions and a fragility in law and order.

This is something we want to always avoid on Australian streets if possible. Being able to protest, individually and collectively – to have a say – is fundamentally important in our democracy. 

But burning and smashing cars and property and bashing and stealing from each other is little more than anarchy.

To avoid this we must never drop the ball in all aspects of human rights, respect and understanding and our leaders must always be ahead of the game and have the approach, willpower and means to broker meaningful conciliation.

What has happened in the United States, albeit fuelled by deep racial tensions dating back centuries, probably shows how much of a powder keg the world is sitting on after months of restrictions and anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Uncertainty has a cruel habit of generating high levels of agitation and many people are, or have been, on edge. Family experiences are a prime example. For every heart-warming story about families consolidating bonds, there is an ugly case reflecting the opposite. The ‘mood of the people’ is something that scribes throughout human history have observed and noted, especially the dangers of growing discontent. 

In times of crisis this can be a challenge for governments and always places levels of egalitarianism in society in the spotlight.

Our politicians have been right to applaud the Australian community response to COVID-19 guidelines designed to keep as many people as safe as possible.

Statistics suggest we have so far worked well as a national collective and the walls are gradually coming down.

Let’s continue to work hard to be proud of ourselves as a state and a country – not only during the pandemic, but beyond.

What we do and how we act now and when we finally emerge from the crisis will set the foundations for the next phase of what it means to be Australian.

The entire June 3, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!