Letter: Condon `myopic'

David Lammy
Saturday 27 February 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Sir Paul Condon remains woefully myopic when he clings to the linguistic opportunities posed by the adjective "unwitting", instead of seeing institutional racism as a component part of a much larger picture.

Tony Blair is right when he says we should honestly confront racism. We live in a sophisticated society with sophisticated prejudices. Overt racism of the kind that killed Stephen is all too common in Britain. Covert racism, for which there has been no report, but under which many individuals bring claims through the Race Relations Act every year, is also alarmingly pervasive.

Macpherson's findings of institutional racism only confirms what those of us who are black have always known. It is a welcome addition to our national dialogue and to some extent completes the circle. We need now to continue the dialogue that has begun between our diverse communities, if only to ensure that it doesn't take another tragedy to bring this to the public's attention.

DAVID LAMMY

London NW1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in