Stephen Lawrence Day: In Conversation with Stuart Lawrence
Today we commemorate the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in a racist attack on the 22nd of April, 1993. 29 years on, we reflect on the environment which led to his death, and the tireless campaigning for justice which followed, and continues today. #SLD22
At The Black Curriculum, we believe that education has the power to transform society. Through a holistic education, we can nurture future generations who are empowered in their identities, and are champions of social cohesion and justice. Through a reformed educational system, we can envision a society where the loss of our youth due to racism, is a reality no more.
For #SLD22, we spoke with Stuart Lawrence, patron of The Black Curriculum and brother of Stephen Lawrence, about his family's story, the power of education, and the need for change.
Hi Stuart, we are so excited that you have accepted the Patron appointment at The Black Curriculum! As the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence, we thought it was important for us to work with you to commemorate his legacy today.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your work.
I am Hon Stuart Lawrence, an author, youth engagement specialist, a secondary school teacher as well as a father and husband. I live in London, and have taught at schools in south London for over 15 years. I am also the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence.
For those who aren’t aware, could you share your brother’s story with us?
On the night of Thursday 22nd April 1993, my older brother was murdered in a racially motivated attack by youths in Eltham, South London. He had been traveling home with his friend and whilst waiting for a bus he was set upon by a gang of white youths shouting racial slurs and then they physically attacked him with a weapon. He attempted to run away after being stabbed but sadly fell to the ground and died from his injuries..
What kind of impact did Stephen’s case have on society at the time?
After we tragically lost Stephen, my parents waited for the police to investigate and make the necessary arrests as the perpetrators had been known, identified and shared to us by many. However the investigation into the murder was delayed and hampered by what was determined as “institutional racism” by Sir Macpherson after the inquiry into my brother’s case in 1999. We realised not long after Stephen’s murder that we were not being treated fairly and had to also deal with the perspective, attitudes and conduct of the Metropolitan Police towards us. My parents then embarked on a campaign for justice for Stephen’s murder which span over 25 years. One highlight was meeting Nelson Mandela in May 1993 not long after we lost Stephen and his ongoing support for our family’s pursuit of justice.
We’re now in 2022. 29 years later, do you feel that much has changed?
Firstly, I would like to highlight the need to label myself and many others as victims. This is an issue that I do not identify with yet, but this is the perception of me, and many other Black people, and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds by white people. The concept of “perceived victimhood” still has a long way to change.
Stephen’s legacy involved many landmark changes in the law especially after the Inquiry led by Sir William Macpherson into the handling of his case. The Race Relations Amendment Act 2002 enshrined the definition of Institutional Racism, the monitoring of minority ethnic diversity and also created the Public Sector Race Equality Duty for public services. This has been incorporated along with other protected characteristics in the present Equality Act 2010.
However 29 years later, in terms of the legislation, has much changed in terms of:
Preventing and reducing racial prejudice, discrimination and harassment?
Promoting equal opportunities?
Promotion of good race relations between people of different ethnic backgrounds?
There has been some improvement but since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, society as a whole has had to take stock and understand how much racism impacts us all, whether as those who experience racism, bystanders, conscious or unconscious perpetrators of racism. The need for understanding and becoming antiracist is extremely important in today’s society more than ever. George’s murder really did impact me and make me reflect on what has changed, especially with policing attitudes, and sadly not enough is all that I can conclude.
Another thing that needs to change is our understanding of intersectionality and racism in terms of other protected characteristics. Gender, disability, faith and religion, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics for people of colour are often missed when addressing race equality strategies, planning and policy implementation. As a society we also lack the understanding of how race and intersectional characteristics are often compounded with the stereotypes of being more “angry”, “passionate”, “vulnerable” due to white perspective and privilege.
However for me 29 years later, it’s important we ask ourselves, today if we were ever to witness racism and its microaggressions in any form against a Black person and other people of colour, what would we do?
At The Black Curriculum, we believe that education has the power to transform society. Learning from the recommendations of the Macpherson report, where do you think education sits in ensuring that what happened to Stephen, and has since happened to many others, is put to an end?
As an educator myself, yes education is ultimately the basis for tackling racism in society. It’s important to have policies, laws, rules and regulations. However, it can be ineffective in addressing the core of racist attitudes, perspectives and practices if there is no education of what racism is and how it impacts us all.
In my opinion anti-racist policies and practices need to be embedded in education from maternity onwards through early years, schooling years and further education. This can include:
Diversity of staffing
Redesigning the curriculum and moving away from colonial perspectives. The curriculum needs to be implemented in a way that all educational institutions have to implement a curriculum that is not from a single narrative perspective
Education and empowering of leaders in all sectors of education
Promoting antiracism and good community relations in family based learning and parental engagement/involvement strategies and practices like school boards
Also the importance of representation of the Black community is important in education. I fully support British Black History in British schools to help promote a more positive image of Black people in Britain. Also the work of historians like David Olusoga is making a huge difference in educating us as a society about our history.
Yet, when I think of the recommendations from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry by Sir Macpherson, I think education still has a long way to go in addressing racism. However the work of the Black Curriculum is key to helping address and make the change that is needed as part of Stephens legacy.
We are thankful to Stuart for joining us in conversation to commemorate his brother’s legacy, and discuss the urgent need for societal change.
You can learn more about Stephen’s story, and the work of Stuart and his family by checking out the links below:
Learn about #SLD22 and the Stephen Lawrence Foundation at:
https://stephenlawrenceday.org/
https://stephenlawrenceday.org/stephen-lawrence-day-foundation/
Follow Stuart Lawrence on:
Twitter: @Sal2n Instagram: @hon_stuartlawrence
Image credit: Sam Currie