Thought For The Day – Monday 22^nd April 2024

There are two very important themed days today.

In the U.K. today is Stephen Lawrence Day.  The theme this year is “The Power of Learning”

On 22nd April 1993, Stephen Lawrence, 18 years of age, was murdered in an evil racist attack by a gang, whilst he waited for a bus in London with his friend.

Doreen and Neville Lawrence, Stephen’s parents, campaigned, and still campaign. for justice.  Significant and serious mistakes were made by some in the murder investigation, which Judge Sir William Macpherson, who passed away in 2021,  said was “institutionally racist”.

Doreen Lawrence, now Baroness Lawrence,  Stephen’s mum, once visited TBSHS,  around  six  years after the murder of her son.  Unusually for our guest speakers, we had to meet Doreen at Liverpool Street Railway Station in London and accompany her on the train to, and from,  Bishop’s Stortford. Doreen gave us a book about Stephen.

Laws changed because of Stephen’s death.  So much wonderful good has been done in his name since.  Stephen wanted to be in architect. His legacy is that a new society continues to be designed in his memory, and the memory of all who have suffered negative prejudice and discrimination.  Stephen’s legacy has been to design a better and more beautiful world.

Globally, today is also World Earth Day.

It is by caring, and showing compassion and respect, for everyone, and everything, everywhere that we look after others, and ourselves, in the past, in the present and in the future.

The Love of People and Planet.