Friends mark Stephen Lawrence anniversary
'The killing of the eighteen-year-old in Eltham, southeast London, on 22 April 1993, marks a watershed moment for race equality in Britain.'
Quakers have been speaking out on the thirtieth anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder this month. The killing of the eighteen-year-old in Eltham, southeast London, on 22 April 1993, marks a watershed moment for race equality in Britain. As a result of the Metropolitan Police’s flawed investigation into Stephen’s killing, it was subsequently labelled as ‘institutionally racist’ by the 1999 Macpherson Report.
Edwina Peart, inclusion and diversity coordinator for Britain Yearly Meeting, said: ‘When asked to contribute to the news item marking the anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder, I thought of all that has been said over the years. Of all that has been endured by Britain’s Black and Brown populations. Of all that is currently being said about Stephen’s legacy and impact on Britain’s racist structures. What I want to say, now more than ever, is it’s time for us to act. As a faith group, as individuals, as members of our geographical and social communities. We know enough to take meaningful action to effect lasting change.’
Sharing resources such as the Stephen Lawrence Legacy Conversations, created by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) and Christian Aid, London Quakers have also been reflecting on how they can move forwards in this commitment. The series features a number of leading scholars and thinkers from different churches in Britain and Ireland, brought together to discuss the anniversary. Some of the conversations are now available on video on the CTBI website.
Richard Reddie, director of justice and inclusion for CBTI, said the impact of Stephen’s death ‘still looms large over the body-politic of British society in particular. One only has to look at the police and its struggle to address racism within its structures, and difficulties with engaging with Black communities. We thought that this anniversary was an important moment to discuss how the churches on these shores engaged with Stephen’s killing at the time, and whether this has informed any of the racial justice work that has taken place since’.
Fred Ashmore, from Kingston Meeting, told the Friend: ‘As we think about the anniversary and the racism revealed by the response to [the murder], Friends might be reminded of the continuing challenge to show our commitment to be an antiracist church and the continuing struggle which that commitment calls for.’ He added: ‘The anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence is in the middle of special events of Quaker Special Interest Groups. How strange it feels that there is no Quakers Special Interest Group focussed on the commitment to be an antiracist church. I wonder who out there among us will raise the call.’
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