Opinions and featuresA Great SummerEditorial
There's never been a summer like this. Notable "firsts" came in abundance. The Right Reverend John Sentamu became the first black person to head an Anglican diocese in the UK after his appointment as the new Bishop of Birmingham. Ugandan-born Bishop Sentamu is a high profile and charismatic anti-racist campaigner within the Church. His defence of the poor and racially disadvantaged in his Stepney, East London parish, is legendary. In 1997 he became an adviser to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and was instrumental in writing the damning report which branded the Metropolitan Police institutionally racist. He has also been a leading supporter of The Chronicle's campaign for equity and equality in the media. Lennox Lewis, born in East London of Afro-Caribbean parents, claimed the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world - boxing's version of the monarchy - and is said to be in line for a knighthood by the Queen. Sol Campbell, another Afro-Caribbean East Londoner, scored England's first goal in the World Cup against Sweden. And, in an historic upset, Senegal's footballers beat France, the former coloniser. Paul Boateng and David Lammy won posts in the Labour government making them the first persons of African and Caribbean origins in the British Cabinet. Notting Hill carnival bands put some rhythm in the Queen's 50th anniversary jubilee as a tribute to the nation's and peoples of the Commonwealth. Nelson Mandela, freedom fighter, first president of South Africa and acclaimed leader of the developing world, may soon be honoured with a statue in London's biggest public space, Trafalgar Square. Once the scene of massive anti-apartheid protests, the statue will symbolise friendship in the anti-racism struggle. Over in America, Oscar film awards went to African Americans Denzil Washington and Halle Berry for noteworthy performances on the celluloid screen. Surely, these triumphs should be more common occurrences. Minor miracles in the arts and sciences, media, music and film, and in high-tech, business, labour, law and the public realm, should be happening all year round. The unstinting work of local heroes and heroines of all ages should be acknowledged widely. They give the leadership, love and support that generates confidence in all of us to "be somebody". Together we can make this summer's achievements a constant reality.
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