JANUARY 2012 THE VOICE |11
SPECIAL SPECIALEDITION EDITION www.voice-online.co.uk www.voice-online.co.uk often. I don’t have any problems.” She added “What happened to Stephen we can’t deny that it was racism and it was unprovoked. Unfortunately he is gone but I think we [the local community] have learnt a lot of lessons from it and I hope things continue to progress.” Also striking an optimistic note is 19-year-old media student, Tobius Thomas. He said “Visually Eltham hasn’t become more diverse – the
black community here is still small. But racist attitudes have slackened. There is not as much prejudice. This is a good thing because it means that now the two communities can work better together.” BETTER After my experience of visiting the area, I can honestly say I that I’m not as afraid as I was. I can understand why my
friends feel this way. But after seeing for myself what Eltham is like and what the local people had to say I believe that the area has changed for the better since Stephen’s death. Although some people had experienced racial abuse the majority of people I spoke to had not and I think that speaks volumes about the impact that the Lawrence family’s campaign for justice has had.
VIEWS: Eltham residents (left to right) Tobius Thomas, Jennifer Carniffsen and Uche Edezimma. (below) the Stephen Lawrence plaque
MURDER: Bus stop in Eltham where Stephen was killed
CARIBBEAN HISTORY
TRAINING DAY
Dr June Alexis
The Liberation 1838 project launches a programme of Caribbean History Training on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January 2012 2012. Another training day is planned for next month. The events will bring together specialists who will share their knowledge with teachers, students, parents, et al, with a view of improving our understanding and appreciation of Caribbean history. Presenters will include Cecil Gutzmore, Dr Kimani Nehusi, Rita Christian, Dr Keith Davidson, and Dr June Alexis, all of whom are specialists with very many years of experience in the study of Caribbean history, literature and education. Topics for discussion include Sam Sharpe, Apprenticeship, Indentureship, the African Caribbean Family - from the First of August 1838 to date, and the Morant Bay rebellion, including the comments of Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, John Stuart Mills, et al.
Saturday 14 January 2012:
Queen Mother Moore School, Nelsons Row, London, SW4 7JR (near Clapham Common underground station) from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Sunday 15 January 2012:
Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX from 11am to 4pm.
FREE ENTRY.
Further information, registration, call/text:
077 3727 1437
The project was set up to plan a series of activities in 2013 to mark the 175th anniversary of the First of August 1838 liberation of nearly a million Africans in the Caribbean. It is also about celebrating those who fought to end enslavement, and others who worked in Britain and elsewhere for a better social, economic, and political situation for Caribbean people.