Scholar-activist Raymond Winbush in Digby Sept. 15-28

“And young black males are having real difficulties not just here, but globally. They’re finding themselves in conflict with the law.”

That’s the reason Lawrence, coordinator of Digby’s Family Resource Centre, has lobbied to bring Dr. Raymond Winbush to Digby. The author of “The Warrior Method—A Program for Rearing Healthy Black Boys,” Winbush is also a race-relations expert who describes himself as a “scholar-activist.”

Winbush will be in Digby Sept. 15-28 and meeting with RCMP officers and members of the local community, including young black males.

Lawrence says Winbush’s consultation will provide both information and recommendations—“and that’s a start.”

Lawrence is a member of the citizen’s committee formed in February to advise Digby RCMP. That group came together at the suggestion of Ian Atkins, RCMP Assistant Commissioner.

Atkins had come to town to formally apologize to Digby people for the racist and sexist behavior of former RCMP detachment commander, Wylie Grimm.

There was unrest in Digby’s black community, even after Atkins’ apology, says Lawrence.

That unrest turned to outrage, says Lawrence, in June when a young black man was tasered in Digby following a fight with an out-of-town off-duty police officer.

Lawrence adds that people need to understand the impact of racism on youth. “And we have to resolve issues and move forward.”