The proud legacy of Stephen Lawrence

This could have been the headline for the young man who dreamed of becoming an architect. Instead, as we know the life of Stephen Lawrence and his family took a tragic turn when almost ten years ago to the day he was slain by a gang of racist youths.

And yet due to the tenacity in their quest for justice the parents of Stephen Lawrence, Doreen and Neville have ensured their son's name has become a synonymous for both struggle and hope.

For many years after their son's death the Lawrence family, particularly his parents have had to fight and struggle. The loss of a child in any circumstances must be unbearable, to have your murdered son treated as a common criminal by the police and then see his perpetrators walk free hardly bears thinking about. But in spite of repeated setbacks the Lawrence family refused to be defeated, and in 1997, some four years after Stephen's death, Doreen Lawrence assisted by Paul Boateng MP and the late Bernie Grant MP persuaded the then Home Secretary Jack Straw to hold a public inquiry.

The Public Inquiry into the matters arising from the Stephen's death would have consequences way beyond its remit of investigating the police. Ultimately, the findings would radically transform the way society and in particular institutions deal with race, furthermore, it would also be the catalyst for a change in race relations law.

After exposing the catalogue of police blunders; first how they wrongly assumed Stephen and his friend Duwayne Brooks were criminals, and then ignoring clear evidence that would have led them to Stephen's killers, it was difficult for the Inquiry team not to conclude that the police force as an institution was profoundly racist.

At the time many within the Black community felt the Inquiry team had let the police off the hook by articulating what they saw as a prevailing form of subtle racism. Institutionalised racism. The Inquiry stated:

'Institutional Racism' consists of the collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their, colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping, which disadvantage minority ethnic people'.

It proved to be a groundbreaking statement. And although it was directed at the failings of the Metropolitan Police, Jack Straw boldly declared that the reports findings and recommendations were 'challenges for all, not just the police service'.

Before the Lawrence Inquiry only overt racism such as abusive language or a physical attack could be effectively challenged, and yet a more dangerous and pervasive form of subtle racism had plagued the overwhelming majority of our institutions for decades, often shackling Black talent. Now it could be challenged.

The police, hospitals, schools, the army, local authorities, the private sector; all would now have to justify why the majority of its Black and minority ethnic staff were either cleaning, catering or at the lowest level of staffing structures. Furthermore, the same institutions and organisations would also have to have effective procedures to deal with racist incidents.

To enforce Straw's commitment that at least public bodies deal effectively with race a large number organisations including The 1990 Trust and the Commission for Racial Equality effectively lobbied for an amendment to the Race Relations Act. The CRE now has the jurisdiction to enter public bodies and local authorities to investigate claims of racism within them. The same institutions are now duty bound to positively promote good race relations. In effect every public body in the country must now demonstrate that the inequalities that has held back Black talent are being addressed head on.

Those changes on their own are worthy of a proud legacy. But Neville and particularly Doreen have ensured a greater impact. Having established the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust Doreen and her small team work tirelessly, giving talks around the country to students, community centres, business people, politicians and royalty. Her message is one from a mother; a mother who seeks to protect her family, but also trying to ensure that no other mother should suffer the way she and her family have.

In many respects the Lawrences journey has been our journey too: The pain, heartache, the struggle to be who we might be, and perhaps therein lies the overriding legacy of Stephen Lawrence. In spite of pain - always hope