Porcelain
Today I listened to this http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03wpc05 (listen, quick, it's only available for a week!)
It's strong meat, have some tissues handy.
I haven't listened to the afternoon drama for a while but made an effort to listen to this because of it's subject matter.
Sophie Lancaster was murdered, and her boyfriend seriously injured because they were different. Because someone somewhere decided that was enough of a reason to attack them - to punch, kick and stamp on them.
I don't have dreads, or lots of piercings and I guess I dress in a fairly conventional sort of way. So why is this so important to me?
First, because over time I've had a number of dear friends who do dress in this way - who identify with all kinds of alternative subcultures and groups in society. Because people I know have dreads and tattoos and piercings and dress in stylish and unusual ways. (And because I love these people and how they dress and the music they like aren't often the reasons I love them. I love them because they are cool and fun and interesting and we do the mutual liking thingy) It was because of these friends that my Mum sent me the newspaper clipping at the time, and we talked about how terrible it was. Then, a few weeks ago, while preparing to preach I ended up looking for some stuff about prejudice and hate crime, and I came across this www.sophielancasterfoundation.com and I realised it was the same person. And I was completely blown away by what they are doing with the foundation her family set up in her name. It's amazing.
Second, because I've been bullied a lot - in bigger and smaller ways - over several periods in my life. I've been called names and had threatening phonecalls and been the subject of abuse by people I had to realise had small lives and even smaller minds. Lots of the reasons why had to do with the things I believe, the things people thought I believed (rather than actually asking) and the way I dressed. I'm still careful about how I talk about certain things, especially with new people.
But I never, ever encountered anything like this. And everything I did experience pales into insignificance in the light of a senseless act such as this attack and murder. Of a beautiful person who was not afraid to be themselves, and - as I heard it - her efforts to protect someone she cared about who had already been beaten unconcious.
I needed to write this because this has made a significant impression on me. I can only try and imagine just how painful this must have been to help put together for her family and loved ones. But I am so grateful that they did.
Because hate crime is still happening - hatred for no good reason.
Because as tragic as it is, this needs not to be forgotten.