Stephen Lawrence

I am watching the ITV programme on Stephen Lawrence. And I just find myself getting so angry.

I cannot stand racism, in any shape or form. I think racists are some of the lowest of the low. I actually hold racism as more disgusting than murders, both mass and serial killers included in that. I think racist slurs are some of the most offensive things that could ever leave a person's mouth. Whenever anyone makes a racist comment around me, whether it be seriously or not, my disgust is instantly apparent. If it is said in jest, in general conversation, I will make it very clear how much I am disgusted by the usage of the words.

I do not care what nationality you are, what race, what colour your skin is. Racism is not acceptable under any circumstances. If you are white, making a racist slur against someone with a darker skin colour, you are racist. If you are of a darker skin colour making a racist slur against someone who is white, you are racist (and far too many people fail to realise white people receive racist abuse, too) But I find it just as unacceptable when people of colour use racist slurs between themselves and justify it with the idea that it was their ancestors who were put through racism originally, so they deserve to claim the words back and use them. No. No you do not. The words are under no circumstances acceptable. Regardless of your colour or the context. And I do not just mean the 'n' word, I mean the 'p' word too and any other racist slurs.

I purposely disassociate myself from racist people. As far as I am concerned if you are racist you can either place your head under a guillotine, or discretely exit my life. Because I do not want to be associated with anyone who is capable of racism.

I have been the target of racism more than a handful of times in my life. It isn't nice. I have been there whilst friends have been at the receiving end of racism, and despite it putting myself in danger, of both verbal and physical attacks, I have stood up for those friends. And this is the issue in the UK at least.

It is obvious that many people are scared of making comments in case they are seen as racist. But they are also so scared of being tarred with that brush that instead of sticking up for those who receive racist abuse and telling those who are racist that they are in the wrong, they sit back and keep out of it. People need to stop being so scared of confrontation because racism will never, ever end whilst we let even one person continue to have the attitude that racism is ok.