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Violent and racist thugs David Norris and Gary Dobson were spared much harsher sentences due only to the fact that both men were aged 16 and 17 at the time of the murder of Stephen Lawrence back in 1993. The Judge gave them the maximum sentences he could under the rule of law, but the mother of Stephen, Doreen Lawrence, aired her disappointment at the low sentences outside the Old Bailey.

Today, a jury of their peers found David Norris and Gary Dobson guilty of the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

Doreen, Neville and the Lawrence family have waited a gruelling, heart-breaking 18 years for justice - but we want to ask:

What does this all mean?

Does this mean there is closure for the Lawrence family?

Will this help the police regain trust within Black communities?

Doreen, Neville and the rest of the Lawrence family have had to wait nearly 19 years for justice to be done. Today at the Old Bailey, - a jury of their peers found Gary Dobson and David Norris guilty of Stephen’s murder.

Given how human nature functions we often revel in the fact when our predictions about what might occur are proven correct. Frankly, I take no pleasure in rereading last year's outlook, which in all honesty was probably an understatement of what actually transpired:

In the year ahead, Britain’s Black and Minority Ethnic communities will face the greatest challenge for over a decade.

With another tragic loss of life on the streets of London, Ade Sawyerr argues that it is up to us as individuals and members of community organisations to be vocal, to be willing to get involved and to ensure the right political and economic structures are put in place to tackle knife and gun crime.

A nation holds its breadth as the jury is sent away to consider the verdict on the two murder suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris accused of killing Stephen Lawrence 18 years ago.

In his closing remarks Judge Treacy told the jury, ‘Emotion, such as sympathy for the Lawrence family, has no part to play,’ adding. ‘Equally, anger at the nature of the attack on Stephen Lawrence cannot guide your decision.’

I hope most of you reading this have either finished work for Christmas or are winding down. We also salute the small army of individuals who will be working throughout the festive period.

No matter what your religion, or non-religion, Christmas is a time to find peace: peace from the deluge of work, or finding work. Peace from the worries of providing a brighter future for your family. Peace from fighting seemingly impossible battles home and abroad from continuing prejudice. Peace to be with your family and friends.

Of course the principle of innocent until proven guilty must apply to Chelsea’s John Terry even though he has been charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. But with such a serious charge, and quite clearly a case to answer - video footage - it is in football’s best interest for England manager Fabio Capello to take away the captaincy until the case is over.

The FA was right to take a tough line against the repeatedly racial abuse Liverpool’s Luis Suarez threw at Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

Suarez’s only defence was, in effect, that 'in our country – Uruguay - to call someone ‘El Negro’ is OK'. The story has become national news in his country where Suarez is a national hero.