Black History Month Matters: highlighting the resilience and resistance of blacks in Canada

BY PAUL JUNOR

The annual celebration of Black History Month in Canada has taken on additional significance in this the first year of the new decade.

The evolution of what began as Negro History Week in America, converted to Black History Month in February 1926. This is all due to the work of African-American scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson who is now celebrated all over the world. Dr. Carter’s goals were to increase consciousness and further understanding of the contributions of African-American in schools curricula.

Thanks to the work of former Liberal MP Jean Augustine (the first African-Canadian female woman elected to Parliament in 1993); Canada has been celebrating Black History Month officially since 1995. Thirty years later, there is so much to celebrate when it comes to black presence in Canada. The United Nations proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent from 2015 to 2024. The City of Toronto recognizes it as “An opportunity to recognize the past and present contributions that African-Canadians make to the life of Toronto in such areas as: education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics and human rights. Every aspect of Canadian lives has been impacted by the black presence.”         

As we look back, we acknowledge, educate and learn about the past. There is much that we can build on as we look forward to the next decade with hope, vision, faith and confidence. History is past, present and future. The struggles, challenges and contributions of African-Canadians is the basis by which all races, cultures, classes, sexualities and diversities can unite together.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has chosen the theme “UBUNTU” (I am because we are). This word is of South African derivation from the Zulu community, and according to the TDSB news release on January 31^st, “The philosophy of UBUNTU realizes that everything is interconnected. Everything that I do has an effect on you and your well-being, and everything that you do has an effect on me and my well-being.” It is so fitting that the commonality of our humanness is emphasized as it shows that we are part of the human family, no matter our religion, culture, race or ethnicity.

The many challenges and struggles that people of African descent have overcome in the past are a reflection of the indomitable spirit, invincible hope and incredible dreams that they possess. Yet, there are still so many ongoing challenges, issues and concerns that need to be addressed in 2020. The work of Black Lives Matter-Toronto and other community grass-root organizations has brought forward issues of: anti-black racism, marginalization, oppression, discrimination and systematic racism.

The underachievement and under performance of black students in the public education system, criminalization of black youths, social inequities, poverty, youth violence and mental health challenges are still real issues. There are those who have committed their lives in the fight for social justice, equity, inclusion and understanding to ensure that the African-Canadian community needs are acknowledged.

There is so much that our youth can do to celebrate Black History Month. Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank Group has sponsored the annual Kuumba Festival. There are many organizations that are running events to highlight the power of African-Canadian history, culture, music and arts. Black resilience and resistance are permanent features of the landscape of Canada.