Community begins open conversation on race and relationships

By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR

The Jan. 7 murder of Memphis resident Tyre Nichols at the hands of five black police officers was catalyst for discourse and action. This spurred the Bluffton Police Department and the Bluffton MLK Observance Committee to co-host an open discussion Jan. 31 to give residents an opportunity to share their feelings and experiences.

“I’ve gotten positive feedback from the community,” said Bluffton Police Chief Joe Babkiewicz a week later. “The next day I had several people call me talking about what we do, where we go from here?”

The program was moderated by Bluffton Councilwoman Bridgette Frazier, chair of the MLK Observance Committee. Panel members included Gloria Holmes, professor of education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort at the Bluffton campus; Michael Lewis, a retired social worker, community organizer and member of the Campbell Chapel Social Action Ministry; Michael Maybin, pastor of Kingdom Seekers Family Worship Center, and retired lieutenant with the City of Baltimore Fire Department; and Jamal Toure, cultural director of the Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center and Museum in Riceboro, Georgia.

Before the meeting, Bluffton resident Octavia Lewis said she came to see if there would be any valuable solutions to police brutality across the country.

“I hope that they would listen to the people in the audience for suggestions as to what could possibly correct this crazy system that’s in place now. Is it a symptom of location or local culture?” she said. “It seems to me that the people who are police officers here were born and raised here. They went away and came back, so they know the people. And even if they were not born in Bluffton, they are from the local area and their experiences are different with people of color. This is a major problem and specifically for black lives. We are not held as of much value. When you speak to young people, they don’t feel as if they are valued.”

Hilton Head resident Jenifer Gajdalo also came because of similar recurring tragedies.

“Yes, we also have a policing problem, but the public can’t point to the police, and say ‘it’s your fault.’ Communities need to work together, discuss what we think would be safe, fair and equitable for all citizens.

Then develop ways, training methods that we periodically evaluate,” said Gajdalo.

Please see MEETING on page 10A