You don't have to shout to be heard.

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In 1993 I was too young to understand the full extent of it of death let alone what murder meant.  Yet, I was aware of the rage and emotions on the faces of individuals when the name Stephen Lawrence was brought up in conversation.  It was only as I got older, more specifically as I completed my dissertation on miscarriages of justice, that the extent of what the Lawrence family had suffered at the hands of the failure of the police became startlingly apparent. 

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere and for the past nineteen years the name of Stephen Lawrence of has never left the press. Although the trial surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawrence would not be deemed as a miscarriage of Justice as such in the eyes of the law- the Lawrence family, at the hands of the police, have suffered injustice as a family through the policing system.  And although the family who were no doubt grieving at such a horrific time, never let the flame of Stephen’s name die out -the embers continue to burn.

Although the candle representing Stephen Lawrence may have shone brighter at times than other occasions throughout the last eighteen years, the most important fact is that it never stopped burning. Via the gracefulness but persistent nature of Doreen Lawrence, in particular, has kept the flame burning.  In keeping the legacy and the fight for justice at the forefront those guilty, withholding information and even those involved may have tried to forget that name and that day in April ‘93 but like a constant dripping tap Stephen’s name was and still is evident. 

So now, eighteen years on, we as a nation rejoice that finally two individuals have been convicted for involvement in Stephen's murder.  And although the pain of loosing a child in such devastating circumstances is more than enough to contend with, almost nineteen years of campaigning and seeking justice has radically turned tables and is the launchpad for any other case that may follow the same pattern. Challenging the policies of our British policing system, radically turning the way matters were handled on their head.  

What we can learn from all of this is that whatever is done in secret will eventually be shouted from the rooftops.  Those who were involved and now convicted never thought they would be in court concerning the name of Stephen Lawrence again and as with British law double jeopardy dis-allows an individual from being trialled for the same crime twice.  But thank God for progression in our justice system. As fresh evidence forensic evidence was the forefront that allowed the trial and prosecution to commence.

We cannot forget in all this that most importantly, tenacity pays off.  In her constant battle for justice, Doreen Lawrence or any other member of the Lawrence family, has never shouted or acted replsivley but tirelessly campaigned for the justice of their murdered son/ brother/ nephew/friend. Never rude or brazen but always dignified.  I believe that their actions as a family was the cause of compassion for people everywhere within Britain- who witnessed how one family were willing to fight and until they got the answers they deserved.

 You don’t need to shout to be heard. 

Eight words that resound so true. And what I admire most is just because the Lawrence family didn't shout doesn't mean they were quiet. In this world is it easy to view silence as acceptance.  If you say nothing people will assume you agree, but Doreen Lawrence has proven that actions speak louder than any word could muster.  The Charitable trust in Stephens name, the continuous outreach, the campaigns, the Stephen Lawrence building are all but some of the ways in which she has fought to keep the remembrance of her son alive throughout the last eighteen years when life was happening around her and us.  Without Doreen Lawrence and her family's input the Macpherson report would not have existed.  Now it plays a pivitol part of British politics because of how it radically challenged the Met and challenged the ‘institutional racism’- the underlying feature of all of this.

It is easy to still be placing the blame around.  And I will be the first to admit that from the evidence presented, eye witness accounts and even those mysterious 26 anonymous calls made through the weeks and days after the murder lead to to state that the police did not do enough to try and find the culprits of the murder.  Yet all of this could have been just a flash in the pan without the persistence.  It would have been headline news one day of and then just a fragment of our memory at the loss of just another young life. 

Even in this new year I find my self being challenged regarding my sensitivity.  I turn on the news, open a newspaper and hear or read stories of innocent lives being taken.  Homicide, genocide, infanticide. And I turn the page ready to read what the next article is all about- because I’ve become desensitised to it all. Crime is constantly happening that if feels like the norm and it’s not.  It was never meant to be this way.  I no longer feel challenged to question what state that our world is in.  As this new year has only just begun I am happy that justice has finally been served for the Lawrence's; but totally aware they they will not rest until all those involved in Stephen's death have been punished accordingly. But am now challenging myself to become more compassionate for the lives of those who are loosing their lives through no fault of their own. 

What I’ve learnt from all of this is that you don’t have to shout to be heard –but your voice is more powerful that you would believe. Remaining silent should never be an option.

I came.  I saw.  I blog. 

Ruthie x