To think that so much good can come from so much evil. The racist murder of Stephen Lawrence was one of the most wicked acts of the 20th century. And yet, British society has infinitely changed for the better because of it, though things are still far from perfect. Small compensation for Stephen Lawrences family, much less the victim himself. The Metropolitan Police will *never* recover from the scandal surrounding the death of Stephen Lawrence. Their name is tarnished forever, in the same way as the Stasi, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Spanish Inquisition and Network Rail are linked with corrupt, incompetent, authoritatian and/or inhumane callousness. The only way the Met will ever regain its credibility is if it is disbanded altogether, and a new humanist police organisation replaces it. Much as the RUC has been replaced by the less corrupt Police Service of Northern Ireland. The RUCs use of violence against children to obtain false confessions was just one of many reasons why the RUC could not continue to exist in a free, tolerant and democratic society. My only hope is that at some point in the future society as a whole will view the existence of the Metropolitan Police with the same abhorrence, thus leading to its disbandment and replacement. However, the announcement that there will be a public inquiry into police corruption is yet another incredibly positive thing to emerge following one of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century... a vile racist murder that has blighted Britains name across the world. And the creation of the specific crime of police corruption is yet another example of how the British legal system continues to evolve to refect our more enlightened, sophisticated and free society. It is incredible to think how much good has emerged from the tragic death of a young black man at the hands of a racist white mob. 1) Following the horrific racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, there has been a profound cultural sea-change in attitudes towards racism. The vast majority of society is now acutely aware of the importance of tackling racial abuse. It cannot be ignored anymore, and nor can it be tacitly approved of. Only a tiny socially conservative/BNP-esque minority of society continue to rail against the tsunami of humanist tolerance that is now sweeping British society. 2) Following the horrific racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, the police force itself has begun to tackle its institutionalized racism. Whilst things have definitely improved since the McPherson Report, there is still so much to be done to tackle the scourge of institutionalized racism that runs through the Met. 3) Following the horrific racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, and thanks in part to the tireless campaigning of the Daily Mail, the anachronistic double jeopardy loophole has finally been repealed. Another significant step in the evolution and sophistication of the British legal system, and a profound improvement in the concept of justice. 4) Following the horrific racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, police corruption itself is now being investigated. Particularly the shameful conduct of undercover police officers. Police officers who engage in corruption should be punished far more seriously because they are in a position of trust and privilege. Just as paedophile priests should be dealt with by the full force of the law for engaging in the additional crime of abusing their position of trust. 5) Stephens legacy extends well beyond the shadowy confines of the corrupt and institutionally racist police force. The annual Stephen Lawrence Prize for architecture is awarded in his honour. The Stephen Lawrence Centre, designed by architect David Adjaye, is now the pride of Deptford. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is a wonderful organisation promoting British justice and cultural harmony in our schools. Stephens mother, Baroness Lawrence, will now sit in the House of Lords fighting for social justice, and specializing in race and diversity issues. The play based on the Stephen Lawrence case, The Colour of Justice is now a staple in our schools. And his mother, Doreen Lawrence probably sums of the sentiments of every caring and tolerant British person, I would like Stephen to be remembered as a young man who had a future. He was well loved, and had he been given the chance to survive maybe he would have been the one to bridge the gap between black and white because he didnt distinguish between black or white. He saw people as people. But we should not be complacent. While there are still evil racists (and their apologists, such as Peter Hitchens) in Britain, the danger to society remains. Just as it does in Northern Ireland whilst people like Peter Hitchens continue to seek to reignite the troubles. It is a terrible indictment of Britains continuing racist society that Stephens memorial plaque has been vandalized on many occasions. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2575174/Lies-spies-cover-ups-corruption-sickening-extent-Stephens-betrayal-police-exposed.html telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10680076/Stephen-Lawrence-corrupt-detective-had-links-to-murderers-family-report-finds.html
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 12:25:59 +0000
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