They give a show to Big Narstie but not a show to AKALA! Respect bro for sharing some knowledge...

It's refreshing that we have people like Akala tackling these issues in the way he does. The real MVP! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

It's clear to anyone working with young people in deprived areas (educators etc) what's going on. For some reason the media and MPs are keeping this narrative alive that it's in some way a mystery that needs to be solved. We need more voices like Akala's to be heard because it's really not that complicated.

I really like how Akala really doesn’t waste words. He doesn’t waffle, everything has a point. Even if he’s talking for a while, it’s always with a point in mind that he’s setting the scene for.

Anytime this man speaks, I listen. He is amazing, articulate and most importantly, correct.

Consistently clear, rational, articulate and concise. Akala is an important voice. Shame his message fall largely on deaf ears

I swear whenever Akala does a speech or a interview, I love to listen to his thoughts and opinions . The man is just on another level

Akala for London mayor! Not even joking.

Back home in Turkey, I carried a knife, a big one to protect myself from a psychopath who was threatening my brother. He was notorious with stabbing people in the back and would never do a fist fight because he always said he would lose a fair fight. Now, I was well educated though from a working class and Socialist family but that didn't stop me wanting to hurt or kill that guy. I was 18 and was only stopped by an older friend who saw the knife and said ' this is not you'. I am glad I never faced that guy on that day, had peace afterwards. You need people who really understand the way the young brains work, you need people the youth respect and listen.

Akala is the guy that has to be protected by all costs. His insight is generational knowledge

Akala needs to be on more often.

I'm seeing a lot of people using the word 'articulate' in the comment section. Did you lot just learn that word? 😂😂😂

I know he is a rapper but he is far more than that. They should introduce him as the Sociologist, Historian and Author. This man is a great role model.

Very eloquent. Too short of an interview

This akala should be PM get him in number 10.

The problem is not race, but it is culture.

I know people who carry knives - it's not related to race, a lot of it is about protecting yourself. Not as if the police is gonna save you if you get jumped.

What an insightful and intelligent person, it’s refreshing to see this interview

LOVE THIS GUY!! SO KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FEARLESS WITH FACTS! WELL SPOKEN BY BEAUTIFUL BROTHER. X

Respect Akala. I can relate to you as a sociology student. Race is a way to point fingers at specific groups as a scapegoat to the actual reality or problem.. they need to invest in young people from deprived neighbourhoods

i've never heard akala mention personal responsibility? weird.

The comment section is a prime example of people ignoring facts because it goes againt their own bigoted world view.

Akala has some great insights on the issue. Shame similar convos' can't result from parliment without the politics..

What a man Akala is! He should be given the resources to help in anyway he thinks best. We are failing too many people in society and it needs fixing.

We need to hear from Akala (and Lowkey) in the mainstream. So much knowledge being dropped on the ignorant masses. Brilliant. 💯

I wouldn't be surprised about the knife culture and some people have two parents but they both work 12hrs a day on zero hour contract trying to feed their family, and nobody looking after the kids but the taxman don't care.

AKALA needs his own KZfaq channel to spread his honest statistics he explains it so honestly and correctly. And hes going off facts and statistics. Having more police wont solve the issue is working with the communities that will.

I’m truly inspired by Akala, always a pleasure hearing him speak. I would love to hear his opinions voiced over the LBC Nick Ferrari show, call in bro.

I watch this video and some of my faith in humanity is restored again then I read the comments and it just goes again.

I’d much rather have someone like Akala in a position of power and influence than these middle class MPs who have no idea how the world works 🤷🏻‍♂️

Tougher sentences doesn't deter people from commuting violent crime. Because people don't think they will be caught. Increasing the likelihood of perpetrators being caught does deter people.

Lack of strong leadership and role models in these communities are the reasons why people often take the wrong path, Parents or lack there of should take more responsibilities for the actions of their kids.

Because ‘doing road’ is more glamorized than ‘learning a skill or trade’ or ‘furthering your mind’. I remember seeing the cops stop some kid outside the Macca’s in Barking who was maybe 12 or 13 and he had the most vicious looking hunting knife I’ve ever seen concealed in his trakkies. Shit’s sad, honestly.

Could listen to this man for the entire day.... so articulate

Yes my brother keep educating them💯

This brother was clued on frm day 1 bck in the day. Respect

Am I being cynical when I suggest that the Government has only just started being concerned about knife crime now it's affecting middle class kids? Also most of the people I know who have done time come out even worse than they were before they went in. For me that a good indication that the prison system is flawed, and I'm just a working class bloke with no GCSE's and brought up in a council house.

I saw and met Akala when he came to speak at our city’s uni. The talk lasted for about an hour but everything he says is so interesting that it honestly felt like 5 minutes. It’s good to see him appear on mainstream television and discuss these issues.

This man places violent crime into an historical context, backed up by academic studies. He highlights the social factors which lead to violent crime and rejects simplistic racially-loaded arguments with in the first minute of the interview. Amazing.

Very interesting, this is the fact based discussion that needs to happen more often

He’s a very knowledgeable and articulate young man. Akala made some very good points regarding the factors behind knife crime.

As a black man growing up in South London, I used to think black people were uniquely violent. Meeting my girlfriend made me realise that they were simply a product of their environment. She and her black friends are overachievers and some of the classiest people I've ever met. They're all ingrained in a network of strong, stable, self sustaining black people, which stretches far. It's very easy to get caught up in the race argument, but even when you take the 'stabbing gene' and the bell curve into consideration, reality seems to demonstrate a different explanation. A series of explanations, in fact, that we have yet to examine.

One thing that i think he failed to speak on is the break down of ethnicity in these murders. He mentioned in London there might be 50 deaths, and Glasgow 40. Out of those 90 murders, what is the break down of ethnicity? Obviously he mentioned that 0.004% of the black population in London has committed a violent murder one year, but i feel that this is only part of the story.

love this guy, I should really go out and buy his book. His interview with James O'Brien was soooo good, I would highly recommend that to everyone.

I think it's funny how everyone thinks they're part of a marginalized group.

Bring back national service keep the young busy learn some discipline maybe they will feel a bit of pride aswell and respect along the way.

Akala, that is so refreshing to hear and inspirational. The way you articulate yourself is honourable and gives us (mixed race/black people) a great feeling to hear somebody represent us in this way.

Such an articulate speaker. He should consider running as an MP in the next election. Would be dynamite in the House of Commons.

Akala, articulates issues brilliantly.

This man needs to be protected at all costs.

He touches on a great point about those key years people need help getting through.

Man, I really like Akala. Really intelligent, insightful man who has a good knowledge on serious issues and actually knows what he's talking about and speaks really wisely. He doesn't just drawl over topics he may think he knows more about than he does, he speaks about important things that he has really good, insightful knowledge on. Top guy

It's not about poverty. It's about kids having too much stuff and wanting more! Kids in Ghana and Mumbai aren't stabbing each other and the poverty is tenfold... It's all about culture

He ducked the crucial question: Can you divine what is going through the mind of the stabber? "I'm not in a position to moralise." Maybe. Maybe not. But that's the line that is crossed. You can talk the nuance of a white person who stabs, and there is absolutely no doubt that this happens, because, again, a primary red line has been crossed. But when black kids do it it's always something else - poverty, lack of opportunity, etc.. He seems a genuine guy, but the diversion was not unnoticed.

John, can you define what might be going through the mind of a stabber?"

Poverty and young boys growing up with no father that’s the problem it breeds hate and negativity

When in doubt blame racism.

Akala should have a show on LBC... Wishful thinking lol. LBC don't want someone like Akala talking sense

Akala is a great man.... why he hasn’t been given more recognition for his knowledge, passion, intensity and overall expertise I don’t know... he truly deserves some kind of backing to bring his views across. The man can save many lives I believe he can change society....bless this man

The government isn't designed to help, it is designed to benefit off the efforts of people. If they really wanted to help, a lot of the problems we've had for 100s of years would've been solved a long time ago.

Please someone get this guy a political party of his own.

He says a lot and nothing at all at the same time. Pseudo-intellectual leaning on other people’s research is all I hear.

I was poor as a kid. I never had a bed. I had to sleep on my grandparents couch for 9 years. Instead of blaming a system, or others. I decided to not listen to rap or hip hop. Or join a gang, or rob or steal things that I couldn't have. No. I went to church, I educated myself. I got a first class science degree and a master's degree from a top 3 university in the UK. I now have a good job and I am going to do a PhD this year, under a competitive scholarship. Young men and ladies. You may be a victim or may not be a victim of bad circumstances or a bad upbringing. But your present or past does not have to define your future. If you want to be someone or do something you must want it and work for it. No one will give it to you. And if people are trying to get in your way or bring you down, and there will be, you must fight to keep your dream alive. If you get expelled from school or join a gang, that is not someone or something elses fault. It's yours. You have personal responsibility. We are all free to make choices, but remember you are not free from the consequences of those choices. God bless and whoever reads this I hope this helps to put you on the path to be the best you, the you that can achieve and not be self decieved.

Here we go, usual, people taking personal responsibility is not even on his list.

Akala to be a next prime minister 💪🏾

The problem is bad parents and not proper policing. Put these people in prison for serious sentences.

Well done Akala! I am a massive fan of your work, and your viewpoints. Lets hope one day that you will take your ideas and become an MP; it would be refreshing!

OK, so I've seen the Akala interview and read a lot of the comments...In my opinion race is a red herring and also to a certain extent is poverty, but they not entirely to be ruled out as factors, which simply demonstrates the complexity of the problem. South Asians have also traditionally suffered racism but seem to be more social integrated and industrious, so too are the Chinese. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the UK in recent years are refugees who have arrived with nothing (often people who have know absolute poverty) and worked hard to improve themselves, so the idea that poverty should serve as a driver or cause of criminality is simply not true. As a black man I would say exponential disintegration and decline of the black family over generations is a fact and is getting worse. Younger mothers and more absent fathers, family units with no love, discipline or structure; what exactly do you expect when the products of these environments are introduced into society. A society whose fundamental values are alien and even hostile to them. Education is also a key factor, if you are born into an environment of deprivation, abuse and low self esteem, you are more likely to schooled with people just like you and taught by teachers who have low expectations of you, even before you step through the door. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what Akala is saying, or if he is inadvertently doing more harm than good. His backstory may describe racism and other causal factors and will appeal to white liberals and other apologists, but he seems to be consolidating a victim mentality, when he should be exhorting young black men to self-improvement and self-empowerment. Blaming the 'white oppressor' is easy, and will not change a thing, because racism and discrimination is not going away anytime soon. But the moment some black kid on some estate picks up a book, unilaterally decides to get educated, create something, or start a business, that's where real change takes place. So stop blaming other people, slinging insults and own your own power.

We need the youth clubs back and the people who have walked bad lives who have now grown out of the years akala was mentioning to help the young ones

Outstanding analysis from a well informed, intelligent commentator not using any pathematic rhetoric. Can we have this excellent young person on television more please.

Middle class bi racial boy raised in a white household. Please. What does he know about our community?

Very articulate as always we need him on TV more often!

I watched a snippet of this on Twitter and had to see more here. What an impressive guy - I’ll search out this book immediately.

People need to pay attention to Akala. He's constantly striving to learn and improve his understanding of social, political and legal issues, and it really shows when he speaks. He's very intelligent, and articulates himself brilliantly. And as always, he's absolutely spot on here. When you pay attention to this man, you learn.

How are people after listening to this video still saying it’s a race issue when majority white cities like Belfast Glasgow and Liverpool face the exact same issues

Akala needs to get back on the mic uno. Much love

Getting to the ROOT of the issues here is what needs to happen,increasing policing is papering over the cracks...increasing policing is not helping educate young people and helping them heal and grow from issues that are sometimes drummed into them from birth by direct influences around them...some of these children committing these crimes have been through terrible trauma...hurt people hurt people 😔

That first look into the Camera from Akala, I felt the LOOK "Compassion" and it was saying compassion and peace man!!

How do you spell the guys second name who writes about liverpool? Any help please guys?

Whilst it's true poverty is a common factor in Glasgow and inner city London, doesn't change the fact black on black crime is exceedingly high and there is a disproportionately high number of black youth with no positive role models in the home and a high level of very young mothers The sooner the Akalas of this world start to look at these issues as well as other socio-economic factors, then we might get somewhere. To keep pointing at other groups as examples of how they're affected too doesn't help. Every location has it's own unique contributing factors that will vary according to the intricacies of the local culture

Sad truth is you cant stop it and you never will.

Speaking of maths and common denominators... If blacks are 1.2 million in London, (that's what, 15%?) how many of all the stabbing perpetrators are black? Or is that racist to ask and "missing the point"?

I certainly don't agree with everything he says, but I always like to listen when he speaks, erudite, concise and talented. I'm amazed we don't see more of him than we do. For anyone who doesn't know what he does search 'fire in the booth part 1'

Young people my age thinking rappers are the philosophers or our time. Here’s a tip. Do some research rather than looking up to grime artists and rappers for your politics considering they are widely responsible for why we are here in the first place. And yes I’m happy to debate any one that disagrees!

Some good points but gangs are getting more confident with less police and gangs are one of the biggest issues

Listened a lot to Akala when I was 15. This definitely renewed my interest and doubled my respect for him.

Firstly. How do you expect anyone to tell you what is going through the mind of a stabber. There are many hypothetical ideas, scenarios and imagery one could think of but the variables are infinite. He hasn't stabbed anyone as far as I'm aware.

I normally find Akala to be racist against White people etc etc. I don't agree with him normally. However, here, he is spot on. Knife crime is not a Black problem.

This touches a nerve of the bigoted and those with a superiority complex in this country...Love it...

Im already afraid to scroll down and see all the anti-black racist comments...

If Akala runs for PM. The whole country needs to vote for him!!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Massive respect for Akala

👏👏👏 About time , somebody actually talking sense .

Wow ,nail on the head, seriously people like this need a position in power, this is so good !!

We're the hole video at?

Akala for Prime Minister 🇬🇧

Smart sounding guy. But not smart enough to take his hat off indoors, Now he won't feel the benefit when he goes outside.

Parliament doesn’t have the political will to address the issue because they want to maintain an underclass.

This guy knows what his talking about!!!!

We need to start plugging fathers back in to families.