5 years on from George Floyd the fight for racial justice remains

The Church of England’s director of racial justice, Guy Hewitt, laments that even those claiming to be of God are often the ones stirring racial divisions. The work to break chains of discrimination must continue, he says

“The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.” (Proverbs 28:5) 

The leadup to the fifth anniversary of the killing of George Floyd has been underwhelming.

There’s been a recent lurch to the right in global politics, which has brought with it veiled racist undertones. See for example, the recent US granting white South Africans refugee status as victims of ‘racial discrimination’ or the far-right politicians who fanned the flames of violence during the 2024 racist riots.  

I experienced the impact of George Floyd from both sides of the pond. Following the struggle for justice for the victims of the Windrush scandal and an accumulated half-century of living, I concluded my public sector career and went ‘all-in’ with my church ministry. This sojourn took me to the Episcopal Church in Florida.  

The three years that I served there, before providence would lead me back to London to