A few weeks ago, I received a message on my Facebook page from a young British female – who, like me had experienced discrimination and depression in her life. She wrote…
I recently read about your story about your experiences with discrimination and depression and I really want to say how inspired I was reading about these issues and I, like you, believe they are of paramount importance. I am passionate about equality in gender, sexuality, race etc and I would love to hear more about how you will continue to fight for your own and other peoples rights and treatment in the workplace and in life.
Then, about a week ago a young male from Spain messaged me and asked… “are you depressed?” Initially, I thought he was about to say something stupid in response. Anyway, I told him yes and said it was something I had battled due to discrimination.
He replied ‘out of the blue’… your mum would be proud.
Then, last week a 19-year old French guy told me that he had read my website and that I should feel proud.
This was followed by a Belgium young male telling me, I had some balls for taking on the Met!
What stood out to me is that, neither of these four young people in their late teens knew me yet had made an opinion based on their own knowledge. More weirdly, the majority are non-British.
With My Fight for Justice against the Met, I never set out to change people’s minds or perceptions with regards to their view about the British Police Service.
But, what is clear is that I have touched a nerve with those who do not necessarily have the same background as me… maybe just, a human one. All four mentioned above, are white – not, that it should make a difference anyway!
What the Met Police has done to me personally IS and will remain wrong, until there is accountability. We do after all, live in a democracy where all are answerable under the law.
I never in my wildest dreams thought standing up for myself whether others agree with it or not, would have an impact beyond the British Isles. You learn quickly though that, you are not necessarily alone.
If there is any legacy (as such) surrounding my experiences and battle for justice, I hope that it is for my doing the right thing for the right reasons.
I can’t dress it up any other way but, racism and other forms of discrimination REALLY do ruin lives.
I guess, the sooner the Met Police and others similar learn this… the better.
This has been a… back in the day, ‘View from the Bottom’.
Take care, Max x.
Live Healthy, Laugh Often & Love Yourself!
Published by My Mum. Copyright © Kevin Maxwell Film, Media & Performance 2013.