Reviews from

Stephen Lawrence

A Racist Echo!

28 total reviews 
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for sharing this injustice with us. I thought things like this only happened in the US. Your beautifully written poem tells the story. I do hope this family continues to fight and gets justice for their son.

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Barbara! This is an ongoing case now 3 decades old. Sadly I don't think they'll ever have the evidence to convict those morons thanks to police negligence at the scene of the crime and racist attitudes thereafter. Your review is greatly appreciated. Take care Debbie
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

When this kind of thing happens (all too often here in the States too), I think of the mothers left behind, often fighting for justice when the police and courts aren't. I try to put myself in their place, but can't. I'll never know their pain and helplessness.

A shameful act and aftermath which you describe so well; the refrain at the end of each stanza compels us to fully grasp why Stephen was killed.

A powerful, passionate piece, Debbie.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Pam for your very kind rating and lovely, thoughtful comments, all greatly appreciated. Take care Debbie x
Comment from Richard Montfort Cary
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Debbie,
Though not previously familiar with this horrid story, I am now. Your poem is deep and heartfelt and powerful and causes the red of shame to rise in my cheeks. Racism is sickness. Thank you for composing and Posting...
Richard

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Richard, for your very generous rating. This is greatly appreciated from you as well as your very thoughtful comments. It's a story in the UK that has now been going on for 3 decades, has brought deep shame on us but has also brought some much needed reform via the MacPherson Report which was utterly damning in its conclusions on the police but also promoted a need for zero tolerance of racism across all public services. Your review is greatly appreciated. Debbie
reply by Richard Montfort Cary on 11-Jul-2023
    Really, thanks to YOU!
Comment from karenina
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I've just come from reading the extensive reports on this horrific murder, cover-up, institutional ineptitude and clear racism.

This sickens me! My son married a most intelligent and wonderful Black woman -- my daughter, in every loving sense.

I have seen the oppressive reaction to her, for no other reason than race.

They have three children. Two match their father's complexion. Fourteen year old Matthew reflects his mother's race.

How many times he has been pulled aside, followed, harassed and bullied for what he refers to as "LWB" -- Living While Black.

As an RN I can attest that we all bleed the same color...

Yet I have witnessed Caucasian terminal patients REFUSE a life saving organ donation, because the donor was Black.

It is insanity, this prejudice.

Stephen Lawrence should be among us!

Karenina

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Karenina for this very generous rating and all your thoughts here. It's horrendous that we're made to think by watching TV etc that we've moved on and are an inclusive society only to come across the sort of harrowing examples you describe. I am so sorry to hear about treatment inflicted on Matthew and am stunned to hear about that donation rejection. Are we getting worse? Did the pandemic make us so insecure that we're constantly looking for the threat within? Thank you so much for your time and insight into this issue. Take care Debbie x
reply by karenina on 11-Jul-2023
    Debbie~ I think there are fine people who look at one another as members of the "human" race. Sadly, in a world that thrives by being divisive, there are some that can't or won't see beyond how much melanin one has in their skin tone. It's insanity, of course-- I felt just like you when a "racist" (pure and simple) rejected a kidney transplant that would have saved him from a terrible outcome because he did not want "black" blood. When I have to fill out forms that ask "race" I absolutely check "other" and write in "human." It's a small thing...but it's a ripple in this pond of hate that is destroying out society!
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Your direct medial experience of this hatred has really been an eye-opener. Good on you for your "ripple" of challenge. We need more of this!
Comment from Sally Law
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

To this day, I will never understand these cases. They vex me to no end. Everyone has value and even if they have missed it themselves they are to be taken away by our Maker., No one else. This is senseless and the poor mother, father, and family! Thank you for sharing his story. Hopefully the authorities will do something to bring justice. Reopen the damn case, for pity case!!!

Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Sally! It's an horrendous case and decades go by - the police didn't test properly or pursue the case with any diligence. They would never have guessed it would blow up in their disgraceful faces! Bless you for your time. Take care Debbie x
Comment from Loretta Bigg
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

As usual I like your style and this poem is powerful. I think it would be even more so if you got rid of all the exclamation points except the last one. Maybe even have one in the penultimate stanza, and two in the last. It would speak strongly to what you are saying.

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Loretta, for this! And I really appreciate your suggestion and will definitely give it thought. (I've actually added another stanza which I hoped might round it off a bit better). Take care Debbie
Comment from JSD
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Excellent Debbie. The resonating refrain is chilling and moving. You cut to the heart of this notorious case with skill and understanding. An impressive piece of writing.

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 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, John! You'd tell me if that last line got on your nerves wouldn't you? I was developing into my usual default mode of nag:)) Dx
reply by JSD on 11-Jul-2023
    No. It works brilliantly. X
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thanks! Where's Cyril?
reply by JSD on 11-Jul-2023
    It's in my portfolio. I put it back in the lists for three days. With a picture of a clown and a pink balloon.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    John, I'm not being notified about your posts. This has happened with others I think. I'll come back to your portfolio later - sorry about this but the system isn't working well.
reply by JSD on 11-Jul-2023
    It's an entry for story on a poem. Is that why? Or else you've muted me. Fair enough! Nice new pic by the way.
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    I'd never mute you, John. Have just written a review for The Blacksmith and then edited it because I put your name in it.
reply by JSD on 11-Jul-2023
    I spotted that!
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I watched a show today with parents and relatives revealing the lack of justice for their individual cases, without going into details, very little justice is delivered, leaving the only hope of justice is the heavenly one.this is a beautifully written post and poem, thanks for writing , blessings Roy

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 Comment Written 11-Jul-2023


reply by the author on 11-Jul-2023
    Thank you so much, Roy, for your lovely, thoughtful (as ever) review! This is a heart-breaking story because the police didn't test properly at the scene or pursue the case with any diligence. They had no idea this would blow up in the faces later along with other corruption/racist/misogynistic-related etc etc allegations. Bless you for your time. Take care Debbie x
reply by royowen on 11-Jul-2023
    The heavenly will happen