Society, a false sense of control and order implemented upon us by ourselfs to fight our very nature of self preservation and deepest desires. It is an ever present shroud that encompasses us and masks our darker inhibitions, but what would happen if there was a tear in this shroud of lies and misconceptions. Some would say that would never happen but in times of great distress, unease, and disaster the fabric of society stretches taut, showing a ghost of what lies underneath. Then all it takes is that last push, the last ounce of pressure on the scales to send us hurdling over the edge and into the dark truth of humanity. The truth that we will do what ever it takes in the cause of self preservation and to satisfy our own needs.
Such incidents like these have occurred through out history in wars, events of mass chaos, and most recently, natural disasters. Like after hurricane Sandy swept through the east coast and left devastation in it's wake. Shortly after the storm cleared a second wave struck New York, but this time it was a "wave of looters". With no control in place and the place in utter chaos, people had no fear of society and it's consequences, or in a different light without it's protection, these people did what is only natural and that is to do what it is necessary for there preservation. Stealing food and other necessities so that don't go hungry or so that they can stay warm, even though some of these very same people in different circumstances would have said that stealing was wrong or immoral but when it comes down to it, human nature is to do what needs to be done. Morals are simply templates of society used to set an example of what it believes to be right and to distinguish what it stands against.
Though necessitous weren't all that were stolen. Like the old saying says "Give a starving man a fortune and he will buy food, but once he is full he will learn there is more to spend gold on than just food". Once they had what they needed people's own personal wants began to take hold. They began to steal "anything that wasn't nailed down, such as "T.V's, liquor, and even a cash register." Some even claimed that "They looked like they were casually shopping, they looked almost happy." These people enjoyed what they were doing, why someone might ask, because they were satisfying there desires that were denied to them by society, or simply came with a price which limited it to them. But with the shroud of control society briefly lifted these people gorged themselves on there wants and desires, take what they want as they please simply because they could. They didn't need those things, but they also didn't to need a reason to steal them with everything out of order they could simply do as they please, which is what all people want but we control ourselves using society as the tool to enforce it.
So in short, were these acts justified or not, I don't believe they need justification. Because any person in the same position would have done the same thing, even if they don't want to admit it. And those who wouldn't are the kind of people who are so dependent on the control of society it's all they know. Not that it is a bad thing, if it weren't for society the world would be a much darker place. Society serves it's purpose but it is simply a tool that we use to oppress our darker natures. And some fear the thought that the day will come when the shroud is removed utterly and cast asunder and burned to ash, when temptation and the darkness of the human heart will run rampant, but me... I embrace that days coming, when one can simply be themselves without holding back, when ones true nature rules.
