A US professor and journalist is holding a lecture series at the Bermuda College to help people understand their role in healing racial issues on the Island.

The series, titled “Know Thyself”, has been sponsored by the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation and presented by Professor Melodye Micere Van Putten.

Ms Van Putten was named a “Rising Star” by TIME Magazine in 1989 for creating the Ashay programme, a curriculum based on global African history and culture, which is used in Dellwood Primary School.

Professor Van Putten has written numerous workbooks and articles on history, culture, spirituality and empowerment and has held stints as adjunct professor at several colleges. She is also a talk radio commentator and nationally syndicated columnist.

Minister of Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, said: “The Ministry’s mission of developing human potential by building bridges to success is perfectly encapsulated by sponsoring this community lecture series.

“Initial indications are that the course has had a very real and positive impact on the lives of those who taken part and I would encourage others to sign up and learn something about themselves, their community and how we can all work together to heal the wounds of the past.”

The series began on March 10 and runs for six weeks. Fifteen people have already registered for the course, ranging in age and ethnicity.

Professor Van Putten said: “This is exactly the type of slice of the Bermudian community I was hoping to get; a real cross-section which represents possibilities for greater understanding based on concrete knowledge, sustained dialogue and human connection.”

Anyone interested in more information is asked to contact the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation at 296-1574 or email ejjoell[AT]gov.bm