*Stephen Lawrence – 22nd of April 1993*
Thursday 22nd of April 1993, a little after 10pm, after a day in primary school there is a good chance I would have been sleeping peacefully in my bed.
Sadly at this time, 30 years ago, 18 year old Stephen as he waited at a bus stop in South London, in an unprovoked racist attack was murdered.
This act, is one of dehumanising people and communities. Not only a heinous crime in itself and a loss of a human life, that day marks as an anchor of a journey in race relations in the UK.
The days, weeks, months, years and now decades that followed, through the determination and courage of Stephen’s parents Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE and Neville Lawrence, along with their family and friends brought about conversations in race relations and investigation, we as a generation never witnessed before.
Their campaigning opened our eyes to institutional failings, institutional racism and racism within the Metropolitan Police Force.
Since 1993, wide-ranging changes have been made to policing and the law, thanks to the tireless efforts of Lawrence’s parents.
No doubt there has been progress made in respect of knife crime, building hope amongst our youth, racism but has it really stopped?
22nd of April every year marks Stephen Lawrance Day, a day in memory of his name. This year is 30 years in memory Stephen’s name and race relations.
To find out more about Stephen Lawrance and race relations in the UK please visit:
Sources:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7055609465865166848
Stephen Lawrence Day: https://lnkd.in/eZnKrjtM
The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre: https://lnkd.in/eawKWN-e
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust: www.stephenlawrence.org.uk
