Frank Hont: Not enough to express silent solidarity with Stephen Lawrence's family
"It's the begining , I think , of starting a new life because we've been in limbo for so long. So, today is where we can look to start moving on and just try and take control of my life once more."
Just part of what Doreen Lawrence said in reaction to the sentences imposed on Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of her son Stephen.
As part of my work for UNISON I met Doreen and her team at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust in Deptford , South London on a number of occasions.
The Trust exists to raise the aspirations of young people and support them in their ambition to succeed. It's "Architecture for Everyone" campaign has been delivered in Liverpool amongst other cities and its pioneering work has helped many young men and women to fulfil their dreams.
UNISON has provided some support for the Trust and worked to have its objectives understood by the wider trade union movement.
From the outset UNISON took a principled stand in support of Doreen and Neville Lawrence in their long struggle for justice. It's true to say that major changes have been made to police practice, public policy and the criminal justice system as a result of this case but the challenges the Lawrence family faced back in 1993 were not confined to London. Many cities in the UK failed to face up to the reality of racism.
As the recently released Cabinet papers show back in 1981 Archbishop Worlock was telling Margeret Thatcher that there was a "silent colour bar " in Liverpool. No black barrister at the Liverpool Bar, only 8 black Police Officers in the Merseyside force and a community "alienated from the rest of society in a very real way". (Download these papers - they make for uncomfortable reading.) Those in authority and positions of power and influence were suffering from a clear case of aporia.
Respect for the rights of others is a crucial component of individual freedom and one of the building blocks of a cohesive society. But it doesn't just happen. We have to work at it. We have to learn from, sometimes painful, experiences. A truly cohesive society appreciates the values and diversity of its people but must also offer similar life opportunities to those from different backgrounds.
Who could fail to be moved watching Doreen Lawrence talk about the death of her beloved son in the aftermath of this trial?
But it's not enough to express silent solidartity with the Lawrence family in front of your TV from the comfort of your own home. We all have a duty to confront the prejudice, the fear, the demonisation of "others", of "them" that arise in everyday situations.
It's not easy but we can all do our bit - at work, in school, in the pub, with family and friends.
Liberty is always unfinished business but we can all make a start today.
Frank Hont is the former North West regional secretary of Unison, he retired in November.
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David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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