When we think of when black coverage takes centre stage it is usually associated with black on black crime or violence in general. I’m very aware that hard news make newsworthiness but it is slightly demoralising that good black news like a ‘community hall’ opening or under-17 black talent spotting will never make news.
Two stories have helped shaped ethnic news in 50 years were two brutal murders.
1) Stephen Lawrence
Twelve years after the Scarman report, the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, in 1993, and the subsequent investigation, or lack of one, again blew open the schism between non-whites and the police.
Lawrence's parents gained influential support from the media as they persisted in hounding the police for answers. Eventually a public inquiry was ordered, chaired by Sir William Macpherson. Macpherson blamed police racism and incompetence for scuppering any chance of justice. Crucially, he also identified the police as "institutionally racist", thereby challenging Scarman's "bad apple" theory.
2) Damilola Taylor
The tragic death of Damilola Taylor was of extreme importance as it has raised issues with regards to the tensions between Africans and Carribeans which is a very real and extremely worrying issue.
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