Doreen Lawrence and the Olympics

[PickandMixisthefuture]

Am I the only one who thinks it was very unreasonable and was rather bemused thought wtf on seeing Doreen Lawrence walking into the Olympic arena helping to carry the Olympic flag?! Has she done something to embody the spirit of the Olympics that I have missed? Did she win first prize at her primary school sports day when competitive sport at that level was allowed? She's not even an elected politician and I didn't see Dave or Boris in the arena. They stayed firmly in their seats where they belong. Also saw that woman from Liberty. Am in about the whole thing. Nice to see them when many of our previous Olympians had the 'starring' role of just standing around. Daley Thompson anyone?

I don't think anyone has mentioned the fact that her being there, playing an important role is also a profound sign of the UK recognising its mistakes and being open about them. She campaigned tirelessly, and is now recognised for her contribution in putting the spotlight on the police. In some countries, she would be a political prisoner for similar actions.

In the Uk, we invite her to participate in this high profile way. It is brilliant.

Exactly what someone else said earlier- why the hell were Chris Moyles and Will I Am not even British selected to be torch bearers- what the hell have those gobshites done to deserve that honour? Yet you decide to rant about an amazing woman who has worked tirelessly to help others and make positive changes

I genuinely do not understand what you mean.
The whole it would be a shame if she wouldn't of one it regardless thing.
What does it mean?

Just as an aside

Stephen Lawrence was a keen sportsman - from athletics to sailing. He never got a chance to achieve all that he could in that are of his life. He would have loved to be watching the Olympic opening ceremony with his family, as we all were yesterday.

How anyone can be so petty-minded to question his mother's motives or her right to be there, is really beyond me

That's a good point too Greythorne.

that area

Very poignant post, Jamie.

Yes, I know what you mean, but presumably it was not the intention of parliament that the Met should have been racist in its operations up to that point?

I had no idea who she was until I read a thread on here.

I don't mind her being there - it's really not up to me, I'm sure the organisers know many more worthy people than I do.

In some countries, she would be a political prisoner for similar actions.""

very true - thats also why I like the emphasis on children because alot of countries round the world do not try to treasure and protect children like we do and yes we fail and dont always get it right but we do try....something to be very proud of.

all of this - also emphasis our freedom of speech.

MrsDeVere Don't let a some stupid words on a screen devalue anything you have done. In my opinion this was designed as one of those posts that stir things up like a kid poking a stick into an ants nest to watch them run around in circles.

Every penny you have raised whenever you raised it, is yet another sign of the love you will always have for Billie.

Sorry if I didn't make sense. What I mean is that what she did very much needed to be done, it's sad that it was only going to be done after such a horrific crime, and such a huge miscarriage of justice.

My point was that I think someone is more worthy of celebration if they do not only do something important in response to something else, but that they are more worthy if they do something just because they see that it needs to be done and they want to. But then the point was made that what Doreen Lawrence does/has done can only really be done by someone in her position, and I take that point and agree.

the death of her son and the work she has done since have significantly changed the political climate in the uk. it has changed the attitude of the police and of society towards racial identity and issues.
my year 10 students will have watched that and known why she was there. she's on their exam syllabus because of her experience and her contribution.
stephen lawrence and his mum are part of what makes the uk as tolerant and safe as it is (and i'm not saying its perfect).

MrsDeVere, just so so sorry and sad for you. Can't think what to say to you as have no words but thinking of you now and always xxx

In the Uk, we invite her to participate in this high profile way. It is brilliant.

This ^^ absolutely.

Outraged

I see what you mean but I actually think the opposite. She could have been filled with hatred, she could have turned to alcohol, she could have laid down and not got up again. She honoured him with her dignity and tenacity. She helped other people (as well as herself)

That's no lesss of a pure motive, IMO, than someone who is paid to do what they do, or because it makes them feel good, or because they think it will get them into heaven.

I actually can't believe I'm debating this ...

I'm really disgusted at this. Some people are utterly missing moral intelligence. Shame on anyone agreeing with the vile opening post. Vile and nasty.

Ok I understand now.
But that was why I was confused.
She didn't set out to influence policy, she set out to bring her sons killers to justice and everything else was a result of her determination to do so.
It was all a byproduct of her refusing to be bowed.
She has never appeared to court publicity fr anything other than the cause.
Imagine what her profile would be like if she had.
There can be no shortage of offers from every corner of the media.

Outraged, glad to see your most recent post.

Littleblue, agreed there was no law that said 'thou shalt be racist'. But the Met was and didn't try very hard to hide it. Desperately sad that it took Stephen Lawrence's death and the appallingly crap 'investigation' before anyone with authority took any notice. (Btw before any coppers/partners of coppers get all outraged, clearly not all officers were racist, but racism did permeate the Met.)

outraged but how would Doreen have known it needed doing without seeing first hand what happened after Stephen's death?

I think that is very unfair. I had no idea what being a mother was like before I was one. I had no idea what having a seriously ill child was like before I had one. Doreen Lawrence could not have known about institutional racism at the Met until she had encountered it. Just think what she had to go through to get the understanding she has.

I think the standards you set are peculiar. People should know what needs to be done before they have any experience of what is wrong with the current way of doing things?????

Would you rather be in her position? Thought not.

I love Doreen for her strength and dignity. I love Shami for sticking up for her beliefs, and for sticking up for our freedom. Our world would be much worse without them.

Exactly littlebluechair.

I also really respect Shami Chakrabati. She does have such integrity

The opening ceremony wasn't really about sport at all, it was celebrating Britain, and Mrs lawrence is a meaningful part of British history. Her appearance carrying the flag was certainly one of the Oooooh moments in our living room.

Very well put blue chair.
More often than not failings are only ever picked up on when people experience for themselves how changes are needed. It's not to do with not caring but to do with being unaware until if affects you directly