Prejudice In The Outsiders

hildren don't see other's colour of skin. Nor born with prejudices. Distrusts, victimisations and bullying is taught. Learnt, often encouraged by older persons, many who should know better. Maybe someone they look up to, admire. Parents, family or elders. Dislikes often mislabelled as a 'right' to enable a misbegotten credence. Influences shown in unfavourable plights often as some weird justice.
Many, if not all so - called 'Outsiders' in Thornton ran an unfair, uncalled for, gauntlet of malice, mostly faring badly. Some time or other nigh all an object of a strong disliking an misplaced anger. Unreasonable jealousy's harbouring a misbegotten bone of contention common place. Many saw unfair punishment meted out by Harry Thompson at school. Parents who complained told ruefully it was

the way of locals and nothing personal, and no one was being victimised or singled out; it had always been as such. Certainly about to be changed on the whims of a few from another part of the world. Of course it wasn't true... But outside of stopping their' kids from attending school, and their' education, what could they do? 'Going back 'home' a forlorn hope.
Unbelievably, genuine sadness, great sorrow was sometimes shown later when hosts had befriended 'outsiders'.

Friendships welded under such trials often lasting a life time, with those returning to London or such. Or to a 'New Towns' purposely built for the rehousing the Londoners etc. Places like Stevenage, Crawley and Hemel Hempstead; Harlow and Milton Keynes etc. For in 1946 the hard work of the ‘New Townsmen’ finally paid off with the passing of the New Towns Act It had swayed the need for post-war reconstruction, more housing ... and a call to halt any further expansion of London’s girth. Authorities had simply seen there was no alternative to the New Town solution. In total 27 new towns were built after 1946. Of course, for the evacuees it meant moving to one of those places ... or stay in their' countryside dwellings. London just was not able to build or to put into place such structures to house them. Certainly not in the short and foreseeable future; the bombings being far far worse than any one could have envisaged. Most hoped for a new dwelling... many only too glad to shake the soil of their shoes of places such as Thornton and accepted a dwelling in a satellite

town.
A fighting crew, if ever there was one, was the 'Gas works gang'. Formed by Gordon, at Rose's insistence having first putting the thought into Gordon's head around the age of eight or nine. Rose improvised to show the strength in numbers via the use of matches banded together making them harder to break and such like. It was but a banding together of 'Outsiders' with a sprinkling of a few locals … sometimes. It meant sharing many aspects of growing up. Always having a friend to play with; Provided a little protection from local bullies …
Stewart Price, the same age as Gordon, a local lad and good mate, was soon sold on the idea. He became Gordon's first gang member. It was they who went around recruiting others. Becoming like a game of soldiers. Many joined ... though some left rather quicker when targeted by local lads for a slap or two. Or their parents forbade it.

Gordon was a natural leader. His' being in charge never doubted. He learned easy, and cleverly, from his mother. From books, by seeing and understanding. He'd see in minutes what others wouldn't see in a life time. His inquisitive mind apt to unravelling inner secrets, understandings. Commandeering respect for most looked up to him, most took notice and willingly followed his lead.
Raymond, still a skinny runt, was the gangs' lieutenant, if only for being the younger brother. Raymond found it easier to order the youngsters around. The older boys finding it hard to take him serious. Paul Thomson was captain and really seconded in command. Stewart happier being a confidante always agreeing with Gordon. Only ever adding an input if and when he felt it appropriate. It show his worth, his position and statue. They made a good trio. Stewart, of an lighter, more humorous nature, often making them all laugh.
So very often Paul's' problem was his younger brother Mick. A year younger than Raymond and a year older than I. He was a head strong lad to say the least, and if ever a bee got in his bonnet … well then only Paul... and then not always – could shift it. A youngster with an will to win at all cost attitude. Though to be fair he never gave any argument to Gordon.
Paddy Kelly, younger brother of John of Irish ilk was also an regular member and same age as Gordon. Whilst Stevie McDonald, who liked to run with the fox and hounds was soon banned and thrown out of the gang … after taking a few thumps from Gordon. For Stevie would relate to other locals whatever Gordon and co intended doing. He was a local after all.
Dave Parker and 'Silo' Shipton, Sammy Skelton and Dave Tilly were good lads and a boon to the gang, all being a little older than I. As were a few others who helped weld a good feel factor and bonding.