Among the Thugs

I am not sure how many people would take a good look around them and see something that raised their curiosity and then go out and join in the mystery.  Enter Bill Buford who wrote an expose called, Among the Thugs.  Buford, an American born and raised citizen, is living in the United Kingdom in the 1980s when he becomes very interested in “hooliganism” or “football fanatics” (US translation for football = soccer).  So Buford elects to join in and better understand the psychology, the underlying motivations, and machinations of those who “join in” the activities of the group.  Buford does not go lightly into this activity, electing to let his “focus groups” know that he will be writing a book about what he learns.  And so he does… for eight years Buford follows the crowds and individuals (who will let him) into the Friday night and Saturday game rituals, which include drinking, drinking, drinking, and of course more drinking.  When the drinking hits a limit, there are the unintended consequences, well in this case not sure I would say “unintended” as it seems this mob of people actually want to destroy others and objects as their way to support their team.  Though the more Buford tells of his experience I actually felt it was more about the community feeling that the individuals get, obviously missing from their day to day life.   Buford’s final story symbolizes the culmination of rioting and destruction, in which he is more involved than he would have imagined, actually “feeling the high” of fighting back police in Italy (Sardinia) during the 1990 World Cup where England made it to the semifinal round.  He is caught in a struggle with the police (with approximately a thousand other hooligans) and feeling they had won – the police turned back and ran.  This didn’t last long as the police (and reinforcements) came and pummeled the remaining crowd, especially Buford who was hit unmercifully by three officers.   Much of the earlier stories capture Buford following the Manchester United team throughout England and witnessing inner country battles against other teams, to include more mob mentality brutal acts of violence against the innocent and also those who cheered for the opposing team.  The violence throughout the book, all under the influence of alcohol or other substance, was incredible.  During his study, this group of individuals goes to a number of National Front meetings.  The National Front and their supporters are another group that is similar in nature to the football hooligans, including Nazi leanings. Buford believes that crowds cannot be incited to violence against their will, contrary to the belief that otherwise passive crowds can be stirred to violence by a persuasive leader. His experience leads him to suggest that people in a crowd collectively make the decision whether or not to cross thresholds of violence; one which he joined in during the 1990 World Cup contests.  I am always impressed when a person immerses themselves in a movement or experience to better understand it.  Buford was matched against pretty high odds, not being a Brit and infiltrating the hooligans and actually making it out alive.  A disturbing read but one for those who want to better understand an aspect of human nature and the psychology of groups.