Being born into poverty and then telling about it. Darren McGarvey (Glasgow, 1984) spent his childhood and adolescence in the pits of inequality in Scotland. But it was precisely the rap he used to describe this life that elevated him to become an influential singer and activist. As well as being an artist (Loki), he has written two books and collaborates regularly with the British press. Last Tuesday, the federation Entitats Catalanes d’Acció Social (ECAS) invited him to celebrate its 20th anniversary. “Without NGOs, inequality would be greater, but NGOs have limited power to criticize,” he asks.
What was your childhood like?
I grew up in a working-class neighborhood with economic deprivation. This situation causes great stress in the family. There is alcoholism and addictions.
Also in your family?
My mother gave birth to me when she was 18. I grew up in an alcoholic family and that scares you as a child. You are looking for security and comfort in a mother who cannot give you.
Have you been exposed to violence?
I was subjected to the most devastating thing there is, the threat of violence. That moment when you prepare for violence. Afterwards you feel a strange sense of relief. You return to normal, your attacker apologizes, says he will change… And you want to believe it.
But you got on the social elevator.
I was very lucky. I didn’t go to college, I didn’t go to work, I was never a good reader… Anyone who wants to follow my path will have a hard time because it’s very unusual. I would say you have to think you can do it, you have to put in the effort… but I achieved it arbitrarily.
Like?
Through social networks and their democratizing effects. I was able to communicate with the audience without asking anyone’s permission. This gives you the power to negotiate with an editor, with a manager. I couldn’t have done this without social media.
What do you think about the role of social entities?
Without them, social inequality would be greater, but their funding sources limit how strongly they can criticize the government. Politicians and banks finance them. But we are all in this dilemma. You work at a newspaper.
AND?
You are middle class people who have not experienced poverty. There is a media that finds unimportant things interesting and creates stereotypes on top of that. People pierced, guns, crimes…
Shouldn’t journalism talk about poverty?
The good thing is yes. We have more soup kitchens than McDonalds, supermarkets have security at their doors… We must eliminate inequality in our society. However, those who suffer from this believe that one day they will change sides.
Some were encouraged by the speeches of the far right.
The challenges these neighborhoods face are also related to immigration policies. Far-right parties talk about white supremacy, closing borders… These are discourses that appeal to many people who are used to not paying attention to their own reality.
We have had many cases of youth violence in Catalonia in recent weeks. Police say they have lost respect for them.
Violence has many facets and cultures, but its roots lie in insecurity, anxiety and lack of opportunity. Violence is the currency of reputation. If someone disrespects you and you don’t respond, others will see it as disrespect. Deep down the most violent people are the most afraid. In the wealthiest neighborhoods, violence is more psychological, more subtle… There is a relationship between violence and poverty.
But they are children between 12 and 14 years old.
There are ways to legitimately resist authorities when they behave inappropriately. But there are also people who manipulate them. For example, human traffickers have a pathological hatred of the police because of their criminal behavior and do not care about their neighborhoods. When we see these behaviors, we need to distinguish whether it is a legitimate emotion or a manipulated emotion.
How are your relationships with your community and family right now?
I live in another working-class neighborhood and have good relationships with my family. But I feel out of place. Now people I know want to talk about me. And it’s not mentally healthy.
What do you think when we talk about success stories like yours in the media?
For me, quitting alcohol and drugs and becoming a responsible father is an achievement. But I noticed that you are always trying to seek more success. It is a sign of individuality.
Is individualism a barrier to ending poverty, or do you rely on everyone’s efforts?
We need to change the system, but this does not happen quickly or easily. We are in a transition period that will last longer than our lives. What will come? More authoritarianism? Direct democracy? Communism? I don’t know, but the current system cannot continue.