Lee Rigby and Stephen Lawrence.

Yesterday was Stephen Lawrence Day the Black teenager killed by a gang of whites. Though some of his killers have been brought to justice others are still free.

The aftermath of the attack broke up the Lawrence Family. The Father went back to the Caribbean and the Mother has become a Member of the House of the Lords. A service was held yesterday featuring members of the Lawrence Family. Stephen Lawrence Day is now an official day in the UK to remember the unlawful killing of the black teenager.

We come to another awful murder that of Lee Rigby. Lee Rigby was a drummer in the British Army. Mr. Rigby was attacked by two black Muslims. Like Lawrence, Rigby died in the most awful way imaginable.

Stephen Lawrence has a memorial to his memory. Stephen Lawrence now has a day dedicated to his memory. His mother is now (as mentioned) a Lord in the House of Lords. And of course, this is all perfectly fine.

However, where is the memorial to Lee Rigby? Why doesn't Mr. Rigby have a day dedicated to him? How are the Rigby's holding up when they remember their fallen boy? Where are the church memorials to Mr. Rigby?

Both Stephen Lawrence and Lee Rigby were young men with their whole lives in front of them. Their murderers had no right to take away their lives. For Lawrence, it was purely a racist attack. For Rigby, it was because he served in the British Army. Lawrence was killed by whites with presumably, hate for blacks. Rigby was slain by blacks because as fanatical Muslims Rigby represented the enemy.

Many fairly ask, however, why does Lawrence have more recognition than Rigby? Both were young men who never fulfilled their potential to lead productive lives. It seems though because Lawrence was black his death is more important than Rigby's. This might not be the case, however, that's how it comes over. That black lives are more important than white. Yes, black lives do matter and so do all lives including white.

Racism, prejudice, hate, etc, does exist. Of course, it is wrong and must be combatted on all fronts. Will all of the above ever be stamped out? Yes, you can legislate to make hate speech or actions to make people hate illegal. However, you cannot legislate how people think. Humans are tribal whether that comes to race, religion, nationality, music, fashion, sport, et al. Fear of those who are different has been with mankind from the very inception of our species. So despite the fact we supposedly live in a more enlightened world knowledge and fear of those who are different are still very much with us.

Sadly, we seem to be identifying more and more as tribal groups. Our society now is more divided than ever. Whether it's over race, what gender we are supposed to be, men v women, rich v poor, etc, etc, and so it goes on. The division between right and left is getting more and more extreme. Nations stand against nations and so it seems as human beings we have learned nothing. Social media further entrenches views and opinions even more. We have keyboard warriors posting various opinions and views and so it goes on. We still treat other species as if they are just for our use. Humans in 2023 are no better than our ancestors with our tribalism.

So coming back to Rigby and Lawrence. Both young men should be remembered and it should be remembered that both men died because of others' hate. Both young men should be remembered for being human beings that lost their lives for no reason. No reason other than what they represented was hated by others. Hated so much that others killed them just for being what they were.