Stephen Lawrence - A long road to Justice

Stephen Lawrence would have been in the prime of his life today. A young man in his early thirties, who could see what his life may have held, children, a successful career, a world changer? Unfortunately we will never know how his life may have been, for he was struck down before it had really begun at the age of 18. Stephen was murdered brutally in a racially provoked attack in Eltham on 22 April 1993. This week Stephen Lawrence's family may sleep a little better in the knowledge that after 18 years (longer than Stephen was alive) two of his killers have been sentenced to life behind bars. A flurry of new information seems to have come to light after the convictions giving hope that others may also be convicted.

It is horrific to think that when somebody has taken the life of another that they can continue to live at liberty for over a decade and a half under the gaze of the family they have destroyed. The ‘Life’ sentence handed down to Gary Dobson and David Norris of 15yrs 2months and 14rs 3 months respectively must be a slap in the face of Stephens parents, falling far short of the life they so viciously ended that day.

The Lawrence case has been a thorn in the side of an establishment that likes to pride itself on its racial cohesion. In 1999 a public enquiry branded the Metropolitan Police force institutionally racist over its handling of the case, a tag it has found very hard to shake off. Securing a conviction will have no doubt come as a relief to those wishing to repair the damage that the murder and prolonged investigations it spawned, caused.

Racism however is still very much alive in this country. While i write this, a storm has erupted over MP Diane Abbott's comments regarding white people. Cries of reverse racism can be heard. Lets get this straight, there is no such thing as reverse racism, it is RACISM pure and simple. Whether its black on white, white on black or anything in between its still born of ignorance, fear and a general lack of willingness to face ones own inadequacies. Its the reason one promising young life was snuffed out all those years ago and its the reason why many people, whatever their colour or creed still face intolerance in Britain today.

I want to finish this posting with a poignant tribute to Stephen Lawrence. Its also a damning peace of poetry against a way of life that normalises and condones the use of the word Nigger, one of the last words that Stephen Lawrence would of heard before he died. The following poem was written by the young black and talented poet Dean Atta.

I Am Nobody's Nigger

Rappers when you use the word "nigger" remember that's one of the last words Stephen Lawrence heard, so don't tell me it's a reclaimed word.

I am nobody's nigger

So please, let my ancestors rest in peace

Not turn in their graves in Jamaica plantations

Or the watery graves of the slave trade

Thrown overboard into middle passage

Just for insurance claims

They were chained up on a boat

As many as they could manage and stay afloat

Stripped of dignity and all hope

Awaiting their masters and European names

But the sick and the injured were dead weight to toss

And Lloyds of London would cover that cost.

I am nobody's nigger

So you can tell Weezy and Drake

That they made a mistake

I am nobody's nigger now

So you can tell Kanye and Jigga

I am not a nigger... in Paris

I'm not a nigger in London

I'm not a nigger in New York

I'm not a nigger in Kingston

I'm not a nigger in Accra

Or a nigger with attitude in Compton

Cos "I don't wanna be called yo nigga"

How were you raised on Public Enemy

And still became your own worst enemy?

You killed Hip Hop and resurrected headless zombies

That can't think for themselves or see where they're going

Or quench the blood lust because there's no blood flowing

In their hearts, just in the streets

They don't give a damn as long as they eating

Their hearts ain't beating, they're cold as ice (bling)

Because they would put money over everything

Money over self respect or self esteem

Or empowering the youth to follow their dreams

Stacking paper cos it's greater than love it seems

Call me "nigger" cos you're scared of what "brother" means

To know that we share something unspeakable

To know that as high as we rise we are not seen as equal

To know that racism is institutional thinking

And that "nigger" is the last word you heard before a lynching.

To hear the Poem spoken by Dean Atta please follow this link "I am Nobody's Nigger"