By Jocelyn Chandler-Hawkins
In 1993 a young black man was killed in a racially motivated attack near a bus stop in Eltham, London. His name was Stephen Lawrence and not only did his murder highlight the institutional racism at the heart of the Metropolitan police and other forces. It also made campaigners of his parents Doreen and Neville Lawrence.
Stephen Lawrence could have been one of my brothers, in fact he could have been anyone’s brother or son but the fact that he was from the Caribbean community really resonated with me. The fear, anger and distress spread through black Caribbean communities up and down the country, highlighting that those we expected support us as a British citizen (the police) were willing to turn a blind eye to injustice. Allowing us to be killed with little regard for our lives – the fear remains with further injustices taking place. From that fateful night, Stephen’s mother Doreen stood firm in her quest to get justice for her son. She remains to me a beacon of hope in her drive to hold her son’s killers to account whilst trying to raise her remaining children (sadly her marriage to Neville collapsed under the strain). It has always seemed to me that no one expected this woman of Caribbean heritage, with a quiet demeanour and petite frame to continuously challenge the unanswered questions surrounding her son’s murder. She also made it clear that the police had put the family under surveillance when they in fact were the victims of a heinous crime. Can you imagine whilst grieving for a relative that you also have to face the fact that the help you expected is not there? Instead of tracking down the killers, when evidence was being brought to them?
The MacPherson report confirmed all of the families suspicions in their search for justice. And support came from what was felt to be an unlikely supporter in the form of the Daily Mail newspaper who started a campaign to have the suspects brought to some kind of justice. Many aspects came together to support the Lawrence family; however it is Doreen’s courage and strength that has always inspired me. I don’t think any of us will ever completely understand the hard road she and her family has had to travel to get justice and to create a legacy in their son’s name. As someone who ended up in the public eye in the worst circumstances, she inspires me to do better, to use my voice to fight racial injustice and to stand firm even when everything seems stacked against you. Her dignity and unwavering courage whilst conducting herself with grace is demonstration a mother’s love set against the worst heart break.
So, as we remember Stephen Lawrence on the anniversary of his death, the 22nd April, let’s take time to reflect on what we can all do to be allies. Not everyone needs to start a campaign but how can you use your voice to bring racial equality for all? What could you do in your everyday work and life to help to stamp out heinous racially motivated crimes, lack of opportunities for non-white people and seek ways to highlight what unites us not what divides us. Doreen Lawrence and her family cannot do it alone and have showed us that even in darkness we can all work towards better and fight for what it right.
Stephen : The murder than changed a nation BBC 4 this week
