Lionel Desmond was a victim of racism, cousin testifies at inquiry

Left: Raymond Sheppard, Right: Lionel Desmond

It was two years ago this month that Raymond Sheppard first wrote in the former Nova Scotia Advocate about the role racism played in the case of his younger cousin, Lionel Desmond, who, in 2017, killed his wife, Shanna, mother, Brenda, and 10-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, before killing himself.

Desmond who served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the war in Afghanistan suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). An inquiry into deaths is now underway.

Lionel Desmond was a victim of racism, cousin testifies at inquiry

Lionel Desmond in a 2007 tour in Afghanistan that “was said to be the bloodiest of the Canadian Military’s combat mission,” according to Raymond Sheppard.

“Three guys that had been harassing him jumped Lionel in the men’s locker room and used racial slurs such as “chocolate milk” in reference to his wife (my sister Shanna). Lionel ended up successfully defending himself against the aggressors and ended up going to summary trial in response to the attack. There would definitely be records of that summary trial if we looked into it.”

East Preston Empowerment Academy is changing the careers of Black tradespeople

Howard Benjamin.

“We know that there’s a lot of people of colour who’ve been traditionally doing the concrete work in this province,” Benjamin said. “But there’s been very little-to-none that are actually Red Seal designated. Meaning they can never bid for that job, meaning they will always be subjugated to some other company, giving them second rate … subcontractor money.”

“Right now Nova Scotia’s booming in construction, and that community isn’t getting to take advantage of it like other communities are.”

The Real Maritime King of the ring

JP Simms lays out Samoa Joe at Wrestlecentre in Halifax. Photo: JP Simms.

JP Simms started dreaming of being a pro wrestler when he was eight years old and watching The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Now, after years of training and matches, Simms found his success in the main event and more.

Kaleb Simmonds and Andru Winter are making more than music

Photo: Kaleb Simmonds

On Sept. 1., Black Nova Scotian R&B star Kaleb Simmonds celebrated the release of his and comrade Andru Winter’s new single No Control. Simmonds streamed the new track on his TV and streaming video of himself while interacting with his Instagram followers in the comments.