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.MARTIN LUTHER KING is commemorated by an American holiday not because he was struck down by an assassin, as Ros Howell implies ("Stephen's legacy for Britain", 28 February), but because of his accomplishments when alive, as a leader of America's civil rights movement.
In honouring the memory of a victim of racist savagery, we must always beware of turning victimhood into a praiseworthy trait in itself. Trevor Phillips is therefore right to suggest a Windrush Day that would honour all the accomplishments, past and future, of West Indians in the UK. Stephen Lawrence and other victims of racism can be commemorated on such a day. But to turn a bank holiday into a day devoted to mourning divisiveness - as opposed to celebrating cultural diversity - would be to risk perpetuating the very ills that people of goodwill are seeking to wipe out.
STUART SEMMEL
University of Pennsylvania
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments