Our Impact Magazine Issue 5

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5th Issue Stephen Lawrence Special

Silence is Not an Option Interview with the Rt. Hon Stuart Law- rence, brother of Stephen Lawrence. Stephen's Impact A real life account of the impact of Stephen Lawrence's life. Memories of Stephen A personal story from a school friend of Stephen Lawrence Institutional Racism Thoughts on the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report.

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Design by Mohammed Ali 14 EDITOR'S NOTES MAY - JUNE CONTENTS ISSUE OUR IMPACT MAGAZINE 3 SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION n the United States of by Stuart Lawrence & Mohammed Ali America, the 20th April Exclusive Interview with The Right Honourable 2021 will be remembe- Stuart Lawrence, brother of the late Stephen red for years to come as Lawrence. Stuart discuses his new book 'Silence a watershed moment for is not an option', the legacy of Stephen Lawrence, when justice had pre- » p.3 and tackling racism . vailed for the family of George Floyd. This is a his- mmmmmmmmmmmm toric moment for all people 9 MEMORIES OF STEPHEN to embrace, recognise by Kojo Sarpong and heal. It is difficult to Kojo Sarpong shares his peronal memories of accept that moments like his dear friend Stephen Lawrence,. Kojo became these come at the expense friends with Stephen whilst they both attended of black lives lost. In the Blackheath Bluecoat School in the Royal Borough United Kingdom, we also have similar stories, and in this issue » p.9 of Greenwich. we reflect and pay tribute to the life of Stephen Lawrence. A talented, decent and honourable young man, whose life was taken away fromI him by a group of racist thugs who had 11 REAL LIFE IMPACT OF STEPHEN nothing except hatred in their heart. It has been 28 years since his passing, but the legacy of Stephen Lawrence will by Courtney Grant remain, thanks to the incredible work of Baroness Lawrence of Courtney Grant talks about his memories of Stephen Clarendon and her family. This issue of OUR IMPACT includes Lawrence from their time together at Blackheath articles written by people who personally knew Stephen, and Bluecoat School. Courtney shares how Stephen's have a story of him to share. I also spoke to Stephen’s bro- talent in art and athletics inspired him, as well as the ther, the Right Honourable Stuart Lawrence, on his work to » p.11 kindness Stephen showed towards Courtney's brother. empower and inspire the new generation of young people...... 13mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmjjj INSTITUTIONAL RACISM , By Mohammed Ali @ourimpactldn Mohammed Ali shares some thoughts on the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities @ourimpactldn report. He explores the report's position on institutional racism, and analyses the report's » p.13 [email protected] findings, conclusions and recomendations. Mohammed Ali bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb www.ourimpactldn.com editor-in-chief

Photo by 4WardEver UK/CC by /desaturated from original Silence is Not an Option Stuart Lawrence interview By Mohammed Ali

nhebRightkHon- in a public enquiry led by the late Sir sequently continuing this legacy with the ourablegStuart William Macpherson, in 1999. The report Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation. This AndrewfLawrence from this inquiry concluded that the in- charitable work has helped over 250 stu- isfthegyounger vestigations into Stephen's murder were dents into architectural courses and has brotherfofgthe “marred by a combination of profession- got six students into architectural firms. Mohammed: Hi Stuart, thanks for taking be my son, and all the children that I have Stephen Lawrence Day, your involvement laten Stephen al incompetence,minstitutional racism Stuart regularly gets invited to speak part in our interview. You have recently re- come in contact with during the nineteen with the Foundation and what the public Lawrence.n O n and a failure of leadership". Stuart turned to young people in school assemblies. leased your debut book titled "Silence is Not years of me teaching, and all of the kids that can do to show their support?...... them22ndmApril 17 just days before Stephen's murder. In early 2021, Stuart gave virtual talks an Option: You Can Impact the World for I speak to on zoom over the last couple of Stuart: So, I have recently been appointed 1993,mStephen Stuart was studying at Blackheath Blue- to students across schools around the Change". Could you tell us a little bit about years. They have been huge inspirations, as Project Manager for The Stephen Law- Lawrencen be- coat School (now the site of The Leigh country. Stuart used his talks to inspire your book and the inspirations behind it? all the kids, that I've been blessed enough rence Day Foundation. This is the third year camem theh - Academy) in the Royal borough of young students during this difficult pe- Stuart: So, the inspiration behind me writ- to share the same space with, who I have for Stephen Lawrence day, and it falls on victim of a racially aggravated murder, Greenwich, London. Stuart soon became riod of lockdown. Stuart has been cam- ing my book, would be resilience and the spoken to, and shared my story with. This the 22nd April 2021. That has been a great which occured on Well Hall Road in El- a role model for his younger sister Geor- paigning for tolerance, inclusion and knowledge that resilience can be taught. is part of, what has enabled me to help en- joy for me but it is also quite difficult. We tham, South-East London. This incident gina to follow. Stuart read 'Graphic De- T diversity through his message, 'This By using examples that have been there my sure a ‘eutopia’ of the perfect world which have got lots of different things planed for was one of many racially fuelled attacks sign' at the University of Northampton. is not My Son’s Fight’. He has shared I want to leave my son. Some of those taking place in this area during this ti- own life and, how sometimes, just being the day itself. There are lots of organisa- After graduating, Stuart initially worked this message on daytime television things are inside the book (‘Silence is not me...... stilly focused on one thing and not allow- tions and bodies that we have been talking at the Home Office and HMP Belmarsh, such as ITV's Good Morning Britain, na- ing other things to distract you is a pow- an option’). I just hope young people and to and dealing with. It has been a chal- The tireless work of Stephen's mother before starting his 15-year teaching ca- tional radio such as BBC Radio 3 and erful but hard concept to master. My hope people in general can see and understand lenge in places, with long days, but I have Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon reer at a secondary school in South-West also broadsheets such as The Times. is that, with some of the skills, techniques the things I have said and adopt some of enjoyed it. Yeah, this is the what I am doing and father Neville Lawrence brought these messages into their life, by trying to London. During this tenure, Stuart also In April 2021, Stuart launched his debut and knowledge I’m passing on through personally for Stephen Lawrence Day and this murder case to the forefront of the be better, nicer, and kinder, as well as being worked as a head football coach and be- book 'Silence is not an Option', which cap- this book, young people can start to see I actually am on the board with the team, British mainstream media. The case also a more thought provoking and thought- came a talent scout for young footballers. tures Stuart's message for young people. and understand how they themselves can helping the trustees to deliver the day, saw many missed opportunities for the ful person going forward in this world. He also worked closely in maintaining Mohammed Ali interviews Stuart Law- be anything that they would like to be. which is great. On the day itself, there will police to convict the culprits of this hei- Stephen's legacy, initially with the Ste- rence to discuss his book, his message Mohammed: Can you tell us a little bit about be some virtual assemblies planned, which nous hate crime, and ultimately resulted I suppose my inspiration would have to phen Lawrence Charitable Trust, and sub- and the legacy of Stephen Lawrence.

"This is part of, what has enabled me to help ensure a ‘eutopia’ of the perfect world which I want to leave my son."

it's been great, I love it. It gives me that people can find out from the website tags, #Thelegacyofchange, #SLDay21 Stuart: This is about my perfuse will and getting so insular that you have got only opportunity to go a bit further than the (https://stephenlawrenceday.org/). and #StephenLawrenceday. Thank you. drive to try and eliminate the ‘n’ word got maybe one or two people you are kids I meet at my school, which I loved. I There will be an afternoon webinar and Mohammed: You have a background in from our DNA and popular culture. It listening to. You should listen to every- tell people all the time, I think teaching one in the evening as well. These will be teaching and you are an inspiring key- has taken years and years, for members one, and everyone may have an opinion is one of the best professions out there, digital (online) as we can’t go out and be note speaker. You have been speaking of the black race to try and ensure that about you, which maybe just their per- because you get to engage with the amongst people but we can ensure that to young people at schools across the this word was banished from the depths sonal opinion. There may be good things next generation and you get to see them we get this on a national reach. People country. What has that been like for you of anyone's minds. Sadly, it has now pre- or bad things they are trying to say to develop and grow into the amazing hu- can find out via a quick Google search and what are the key messages you are vailed itself back into popular culture, you. It is about you trying to work out man beings that they can be. I see their of ‘Stephen Lawrence Day’ or follow us trying to get across to young people? more specifically young black culture, and deciphering whether you feel these potential, and in hindsight it’s beautiful on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. where it seems fine and befitting to use opinions are valid or not, and if they are Stuart: I have been doing some motiva- to see. I now just want reach a bigger au- this word amongst each other, like in valid, what are you going to do about it? If some of the elder members of our tional speaking, consulting and running dience and amplify my voice a bit louder song lyrics. I keep trying to get the mes- How are you going to change? The other followers and audience members could workshops for a while now. I have helped so that I can get further with people and sage across that we are perpetuating the day, I was just saying to my business part- just for us as a family, keep the lega- people to have a better understanding of hopefully moving on these conversa- use of a word, that for me, is hugely det- ner that, all I'm trying to do is be a better cy going by mentioning the lessons my own personal experiences, as well as tions a bit further. Again, this all ties back rimental in bringing back thoughts and version of myself tomorrow than I was learned to young people. They can men- the plight of the black race, black culture into my book (Silence is not an option). feelings from the past. It is only when today. None of us are perfect, we are not tion to young people that the world and black identity. The parts of us that Mohammed: I was very moved by one you start understanding this, you realise always going to get it right, and we are The Rt Hon. Stuart Lawrence is hasn't always been the perfect place have been accepted are great but we of your recent interviews where you that the use of this word cannot be toler- not always going to get 100 out of 100. an Amazon bestselling author, a consultant, and things may of not have always gone need to be accepted as full human be- spoke on the subject of racism, and the ated. I am trying to inform people about When we do fall short, there is a learning youth engagement specialist, coach and our way, but we can be better, as long as ings in society now. Institutional points language often used to describe it, and this message. When it comes to our own experience to stay grounded and to stay public speaker. Stuart has been teaching we learn from these experiences, then and other things that have been put in that you want the subject of racism to biases and yeah, it’s definitely there. It's humble. I believe that the most ground- graphics and design for over 15 years. He has we are doing a good job. Yeah, I really place (which are not helping us) needs to end with you. What steps can individuals just about, like I have always said to peo- ed and humble people, eventually, be- also written for broadsheets, appeared on would appreciate it, if people can get in- be changed. That's what I have been try- take to address their own implicit biases ple, it’s about checking yourself, ensuring come the best of the best, in the long run. mainstream radio and television programs. volved. We are using the following hash ing to do at work and professionally, and and to start having this conversation? that you don't overstep the mark and not

Click here

7 © 2021 Our Impact. All rights Reserved 12 © 2021 Our Impact. All rights Reserved 8 Our Impact | Issue 5 | 01 May 2021 Our Impact | Issue 5 | 01 May 2021 My Memories of Stephen Lawrence • Mental strength mm By Kojo Sarpong • Maturity mmm • Humility n • Calmness n • Progressive thinking bbbbbbb

nnnnmmmmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I am a father of three who works for a local authority as a Director of Housing. In addition, I am also a professional photographer who loves all of my jobs. I can honestly say that my year and a half experience of Stephen, from September 1991 through to the 22nd April 1993, left a lasting impression on me and definitely helped to shape the way I think and treat people. He was a mentor for me at that age without me even realising it, and his memory will live long after all those who had the fortune of meeting him are gone. Rest in peace Stephen my brother and thank you for everything. Kojo. "Stephen saw the tools we had been showing off on the bus and put an immediate stop to it."

ter of national debate for many years. b hursdaym 22nd 5pm on that day, I along with his cousin Ka- Technology (CDT). Stephen saw the tools we Only two people have been brought to April 2021 marks rina were with him on our usual bus route had been showing off on the bus and put an some sort of justice and maybe the rest the 28th anniver- 89 home from Blackheath Bluecoat School immediate stop to it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx may also be brought to justice in future. sary of the day I to Lewisham. Karina was a strong charac- All of the positive comments made about However, no matter what happens to lost a dear friend, ter in the school and a good friend of mine. Stephen over the past near three decades, Stephen Lawrence. those guilty of this heinous crime, Ste- As you can imagine, when I went to are all true. Humble, gentle, positive, in- phen's death and the actions of his I attended Black- school the following morning and saw spirational, a beautiful soul are a few ad- heathg Bluecoat parents that followed has changed most people crying and looking devas- jectives that appropriately describe him. the course of Britain and the way in School, with Ste- tated, I was shocked to learn that such phen, which was Before Stephen, there were a few oth- which these matters are dealt with. a humble and loving guy was so vi- er young black boys who tragically lost a r predominant- ciously taken away from us so suddenly. In addition, some attitudes towards Afri- ly white school, with a healthy contin- their lives in South-East London to racist cans and Caribbeans have also changed gent of pupils from a variety of back- Stephen was five years my senior. However, attacks, such as Rolan Adams, which did in this country, and the fight continues has a BA Hons in Media & grounds. School days were fun with old because he was Karina's cousin, who was in not receive anywhere near the publici- Kojo Sarpong T with the events of the past 12 months. Cultural Studies and Sociology. He is an ex- my year, we would often go home together ty Stephen's passing did. Even Stephen's school ragga, football, basketball, rug- perienced housing practitioner with 19 years’ by, art and drama being prominent cul- and he and his best friend Elvin would guide death itself got an extremely brief slot on It is important that Stephen's memory is used in a positive way to experience in homelessness and homeless- tural features throughout the early 90s. us and mentor us. There was one occasion London Tonight the day after his death. ness prevention. Kojo is currently a Director of some of us from Bluecoats were stupidly educate all people of all ethnic- Stephen was prematurely and tragically tak- It's only due to the tireless work of Housing Needs for a London local authority. our way to fight some boys from St Joseph's ities and backgrounds. For me person- Kojo is also a professional photographer who en away from us on that fateful day. At around his parents that led to it rightfully be- ally, Stephen symbolises the following: Academy with tools from Craft, Design and coming a main news item and a mat- specialises in community events, weddings and other special occasions.

son and preferred to recognise other peo- class sitting alone on a table outside the ple’s talents rather than speak about his own. school assembly hall. She held her head One time, Rio and I spoke about artwork as in her hands as she wept, with tears roll- we walked out of the school gates together ing down from her face onto the table. after school. As we headed down Old Dover She couldn’t bring herself to walk into the Road to catch the 53 bus, Rio complemented hall. This poignant memory shows how me on my artwork, before our conversation deeply Stephen’s death affected everyone. turned to Stephen and Elvin’s artwork. Rio I saw people of all races in tears that day. would of course go on to mention Stephen's No-one could understand why anyone love for art in his autobiography⁵. All of this would want to kill someone like Stephen. just brings home how talented Stephen After the special assembly, our school was as an artist, and it’s something I’ll nev- closed early. Later on that day, my brother forget from my time at school with him. er and I watched the local news on TV. As Stephen was known for showing kindness soon as the picture of Stephen’s face ap- towards those perceived to be different. I peared on the news feature, my brother only have to think about my older brother, repeatedly shook his head, before storm- who was highly intelligent but often strug- ing off to the bedroom. I know what hap- gled socially at school. Some of the other pened to Stephen hit him particularly kids at our school judged my brother quite hard. He went on all of the marches held harshly. Stephen was different. I can still in Stephen’s memory. Anyone who knows Elvin found a way to combine their love of see my brother with Stephen, Jason, and my brother personally will tell you that he Hip-Hop with their love of art. They used others. My brother and Stephen’s friend- simply wouldn’t do that for someone un- Photo by Stuart Sevastos/CC by to draw their own cartoon characters and ship continued to grow when they were less that person really meant something print them up on t-shirts, including the one in the sixth form together, with Stephen to him and had a major impact in his life. with the “Kid n’ Play” hi-top fade that’s now in the upper year and my brother in the forever preserved in photo form within the Whilst the public know about Stephen as lower year. This of course came to a pre- a result of his death, it’s important to show The Real Life Impact of Stephen Lawrence Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report ³. I used mature end on Thursday 22nd April 1993. to have my hair cut in that way during some the positive impact that Stephen made A. No wet floors and no use of slippery floors of my secondary school years, which makes I saw Stephen at lunchtime on the day he in the short life that he lived. He inspired within this environment, and the kitchen By Courtney Grant the memory all the more powerful as I look died. I was with Stephen’s younger cousin others at our school through the power floor should not be placed with cumbersome back. As also recounted in the book “The Nicholas and another friend. We had just of his own example, through the way he appliances. or many of my ado- fact when she read Doreen’s book, “And Still at school was his classmate Bert, who was Life of Stephen Lawrence”⁴, Stephen and El- bought these massive portions of chips and conducted himself, and through his kind- lescent and teenage I Rise”¹. It’s therefore such a coincidence a highly extroverted, larger than life charac- B. Easyvin accessdid a to picture the gas valve.of Flavor Flav from Public ate them as we walked back towards school. ness. This in itself is an important legacy. As we walked up Old Dover Road, I saw years, I used to see that Stephen and I would end up attend- ter, who brought lots of jokes and humour C. HeavyEnemy, equipment went toshould a Public be placed Enemy at lower show, and Stephen and one of his friends heading in Stephen Lawrence ing the same secondary school, Blackheath to our school. I remember my first sports heightsgave to it prevent to Flavor accidents. Flav in person. He was real- around a lot. He Bluecoat School in South-East London. day at the school, when Bert was on the fi- ly impressed with their work. The book also our direction on the same side of the road. D. Thererecounts are four the suitable time basesStephen for climbing did work experi- Stephen was in good spirits. He used to was a big inspira- Stephen was in the school year above my nal leg of the 4 x 100-metres relay race. Bert andence removing with accessories an Architect from the named closet. Arthur Tim- have this grin that would stretch across his tion to me. At the older brother. Our school had four houses, brought his team home in first place, but he othy, who said that Stephen had a brilliant face, and as we passed each other that day, time, I took those each named after local dignitaries: Van- managed to get them disqualified after he E. Adequate light, proper temperature and future ahead of him and possessed drawing Stephen grinned at us and called us “the moments of being brugh (yellow tie), Wolfe (green tie), Gordon jubilantly threw the baton high into the air proper layout of the kitchen space. around Stephen in celebration as he crossed the finish line. skills that could have benefited society⁴. chippy boys”. Having that friendly banter (red tie), and Flamsteed (burgundy tie). I with Stephen was my last memory of him. for granted. They was in Vanbrugh. Stephen was in Flamsteed. I got on really well with Stephen’s friend Ja- Rio Ferdinand also went to our school. Rio now hold a special place in my mind. I re- was in the year below me and was in the The morning after Stephen died, we all Stephen was three years older than me, and son, who was in my older brother’s class. Like ally looked up to him, but I never once same house as Stephen (Flamsteed). Rio faced that painful, heart-breaking day at to be honest, I was a bit in awe of him. He Stephen, I really looked up to Jason. There’s Fexpressed that to him, and that’s some- a clip of "The Stephen Lawrence Story" on and I were good friends in school. We used school. I sensed something was wrong the excelled at art and athletics. I was a talent- thing I think about a lot. I’d like to share to compete against each other at football moment I walked into school. I then learned ed artist and athlete myself, but Stephen Vimeo², where Jason shares touching mem- some personal memories to show the pos- every break-time. Back then, he used to play what happened to Stephen within a cou- was far ahead of me. In my mind, he rep- ories of seeing Stephen "bopping down the itive impact that Stephen had on me, and as an attacking midfielder and liked to drift ple of minutes of arriving. I remember be- resented the yardstick that I aimed for. He road" with his friend Elvin and “just looking on others, in the short life that he lived. out to the right. I used to play as a left-back. ing a very devastated and scared 15-year set the standard that I wanted to reach. happy”, which Jason said made him happy. Courtney Grant has a BA (Hons) in Psy- To fully paint the picture, I need to firstly We usually went against each other on that old boy. In the late morning, everyone be- chology, and an MSc in Human-Computer His artwork was outstanding. He was one I just have to close my eyes to picture Ste- go back a generation. After leaving Jamai- concrete football pitch, because it was cus- gan to head into the school assembly hall, Interaction with Ergonomics. He is a Fellow of the best athletes in the school and also phen and Elvin working together on their ca for England at the age of nine, Doreen tomary for the year above to play against where our Head Teacher Mr Thurley would and a Chartered Member of the Chartered ran for Cambridge Harriers Athletics Club. artwork on one of the tables inside our Lawrence went to John Stainer Primary the year below. It’s no surprise that he con- go on to officially confirm the news that Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, school Stephen was a brilliant artist, as School in Brockley, South-East London. This I remember Stephen being quieter than sistently got the better of me, but he never had already spread around our school. As I and is a Registered European Ergonomist. He was Elvin. They were also big Hip-Hop fans. is the same primary school that my moth- some of his friends, but he was always ex- let his incredible footballing ability go to his walked towards the assembly room door, I is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Stephen used to swap Hip-Hop cassette Ergonomics and Human Factors COVID-19 er attended. There is an age gap between tremely popular and well liked at school, as head. Rio was always very humble as a per- saw a white female friend of mine from my Expert Panel. them and my mother only discovered this were his friends. One of Stephen’s friends tapes with a friend of mine. Stephen and

Is the UK Institutionally Racist? nic minority students in higher education Caribbean experience which speaks to but fails to understand the nuances and the slave period not only being about thus their conclusion does not hold fair profit and suffering but how culturally by Mohammed Ali against the current literature in this arena. African people transformed themselves The CRED report highlights that the in- into a re-modelled African/Britain…”¹⁹ creased risk of COVID 19 infection are due The CRED report would need support nwenty eight years to living in densely populated inner-city from stakeholders, if it is serious about have passed since areas, deprivation and occupational sta- implementing its recommendations. the murder of Ste- tus, but fails to examine the causes why The problem is that it has not been well phen Lawrence. Ste- minorities have been historically living received from the communities it wish- phen’s death was a there.¹⁵ As discussed earlier in the con- es to represent. Members of its own result of an unpro- text of housing, systematic racism is the pannel, trade unions, charities, MPs, ac- voked racial attack cause for such disparities and this is not ademics, the United Nations and even which took place explored by the report. Age and obesity/ authors whose work have been used on Well Hall road in diabetes are two serious risk factors for in the report, have all condemned the Eltham, South-East COVID 19. Food prices disproportionally report. Baroness Lawrence of Claren- London.¹ In 1999, a affect poorer households’ ability to afford don, the mother of Stephen Lawrence, public inquiry led up by the late Sir William healthy food. Government data finds that states that the report has taken back MacPherson, investigated the handling this disproportionally affects minorities, the progress against racism 20 years of the Stephen Lawrence’s murder. The T as Pakistani and Bangladeshis have the and gives ‘racists the green light’.²⁰ report from the investigation found evi- cheap and highly flammable Reynobond highest percentage of people that are Moreover, the United Nation’s working dence of patronising behaviour from the PE cladding cassette, which was wrapped bracketed in the lowest two income quin- group of experts on people of African police towards the Lawrences and failures on the tower. Reynobond PE has been tiles.¹⁶ The bottom 20% of UK families on descent said the report “tries to nor- in accepting racial motivation in Stephen’s banned in the USA but remains legal to low incomes have to spend 42% of their malise white supremacy” and is demand- murder.² The report had put the Metropol- use in the UK.¹³ The Grenfell Tower is lo- income after housing on food in order to ing that the commission is scrapped.²¹ itan Police’s conduct into disrepute and had concluded the force was marred with institutional racism among other factors.³ This can only be understood with qualitative research capturing Sir MacPherson defined ‘Institutional racism’ " as “the collective failure of an organisation the felt experiences of students alongside the. quantitative data." to provide an appropriate and professional creates a gap in the report which cannot nomic, ‘family’ culture and geographical service to people because of their colour, be viewed as completely representative factors than it is to with systemic racism.⁵ culture, or ethnic origin. It can be seen or de- of the different racial disparities faced in However, there have been studies which cated in one of the most deprived wards maintain a healthy diet as recommended tected in processes, attitudes and behaviour the UK. The British Muslim population have explored the links between racial of Kensington and was home to a high by the “Eatwell Guide”.¹⁷ Thus, ethnic mi- which amount to discrimination through comprises 80% South Asian and Black eth- discrimination and the UK housing and population of ethnic minorities. The fire norities living in deprivation would more unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thought- nicities ⁷ and faces the ‘greatest economic welfare sector,¹¹ and found its roots firmly of 2017 resulted in the deaths of 72 peo- likely consume cheaper, ultra-processed lessness and racist stereotyping, which disadvantage of any group in the UK'.⁸ Half entrenched in neoliberalism.¹¹ In the UK, ple and an inquiry was set up to look at and high calorific food. This would in- disadvantage minority ethnic people.”⁴ of all hate crimes reported are targeted neoliberal policies during the Thatcher the causes of the Grenfell Fire tragedy.¹³ crease their likelihood of being obese or having diabetes, and thus become fur- 22 years on, The UK Government’s Com- towards Muslims, which is almost three era opened the door for austerity, rapid CRED offers a very superficial explanation ther susceptible to COVID 19 mortality. mission on Race and Ethnic Disparities times as many as the next highest target- privatisation and deregulation of spheres for minority students' higher education CRED fails to mention this in its report. (CRED) published its very first report on ed group.⁹ Whilst the report does highlight of the public sector.¹² Private landlords drop out rates, attainment of lower out- race and ethnic disparities in the UK. In differences experienced by Pakistani and such as Peter Rachman became notorious comes or earning lower after graduation Although the report does highlight im- this article, I provide some thoughts on Bangladeshi communities, there are some for exploiting incoming UK migrants into than their white counterparts. Research portant recommendations that would some of the CRED’s findings in their report. aspects of racial discrimination that is only overcrowded, rundown and undesirable carried out by universities have looked into help alleviate some of the disparities. The The report investigates racial disparities visible through the lens of anti-Muslim housing in poor neighbourhoods.¹² Over the nuances underlying ethnic minority recommendations bring very few fresh within the education, employment, polic- discrimination research. Take for example, the years, there have been policies such outcomes at higher education.¹⁴ This can ideas to the table, as more than half of ing and health. The report claims that the ‘The Social Mobility Challenges Faced by as the Race Relations Act (2000), which only be understood with qualitative re- the recommendations are rehashed from term institutional racism has been used too Young Muslims’ report, which highlights came about as a result of the Stephen search capturing the felt experiences of other reports.¹⁸ The problems with the Mohammed Ali has a BA (Hons) in Ac- casually in society, and in some instanc- how characteristics that are exclusive to Lawrence inquiry, which required housing students alongside the quantitative data. CRED report is that, on one the hand it countancy and Business, and an MSc in Global es states that it has found no evidence the Muslim identity, are being used sys- associations to end racial discrimination.¹¹ This type of assessment was not picked offers something constructive, but then Health Policy. He is a member of the Coordi- of systemic or institutional racism at all.⁵ temically in anti-Muslim discrimination However, as recent as 2017, the coun- up by CRED’s report and thus neglects the on the other hand it takes everything nating And Mobilising Emergency Response in employment, education and housing.¹⁰ try witnessed the tragedy of the Grenfell It is important to highlight the caveat placed need to address better representation in away. For example, CRED recommends Activists (CAMERA) Emergency Volunteer Tower fire, which demonstrated how de- in the report, which excludes anti-Muslim CRED’s report claims that the complexi- higher education curriculum, policy and something constructive like teaching Team in Hammersmith & Fulham. He is also regulation led to a dangerous renovation and anti-semitic prejudice as part of its re- ties of disadvantages placed on minority governance.¹⁴ CRED’s report acknowledg- an inclusive curriculum, but this is jux- the treasurer and committee member for Sut- of the tower. The renovation had used a view on race and ethnic disparities.⁶ This groups are more to do with social, eco- es that there are different outcomes of eth- taposed with “… a new story about the ton Speakeasy (Toastmasters International).

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