Systemic racism focus of testimony at Lyle Howe disciplinary hearing

A sociologist testifying at the disciplinary hearing of suspended Halifax lawyer Lyle Howe says blacks entering professional fields is a relatively new phenomenon and they must battle a perception they're not as qualified.

Robert Wright said he's encountered that attitude in his own work, and he's learned to deal with it forcefully and up front.

"There is this concept of the uppity negro," Wright told a Nova Scotia Barristers' Society panel. "The idea that certain people aren't meant to be in certain places in the economy."

The barristers' society accuses Howe of professional misconduct and professional incompetence. If found guilty, he could be disbarred.

Howe, who is black, has said he is the victim of systemic racism and that he faces more scrutiny than other lawyers of similar experience.

Systemic bias

Wright was originally asked by the barristers' society look at whether race played a role in how Howe was perceived by the legal profession. Howe has called Wright to testify at the disciplinary hearing.

Wright started his testimony earlier this year and returned to the hearing Tuesday.

He told the three-member panel hearing the case against Howe that black men also face the perception they are somehow more dangerous, both physically and sexually, than others.

Wright said he is not a conspiracy theorist and does not believe there is a group scheming to hold others back. But he said there is systemic bias that makes it difficult for blacks to break through in areas they haven't traditionally been.

He traced some of the foundation of systemic racism in Nova Scotia to the way the province was settled. He said black settlers were given unproductive land and couldn't make a living. That forced them to look for work elsewhere and meant their communities didn't have access to the same opportunities and resources as other areas.

Racial profiling

Wright also spoke about racial profiling. He's helped train loss-prevention officers in stores in the proper way to spot shoplifters. Wright said with racial profiling, people will make assumptions based on race about who's likely to steal. He said the correct way to spot and stop shoplifters is to study behaviours.

Wright was supposed to finish his testimony on Tuesday, but ran out of time because of other commitments. Now he will likely be brought back in the new year to face cross examination from a lawyer for the society and questions from the panel.

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The panel had hoped to complete all testimony this week and tentatively set days in early January to hear closing arguments. The hearing has lasted nearly 60 days spread over more than a year.

Howe is the last witness. He is still facing questioning from his lawyer, which will be followed by cross-examination from the society.

The CBC's Blair Rhodes live blogged from the hearing.