Honoring the past, Inspiring the future

BY: KATHY MCDONALD 

We are a few days from the beginning of February and you know what that means. In a few days, for 28 days, there will be a plethora of activities, award shows and concerts celebrating African, Black and Caribbean in Canada and across the globe. I would like to urge everyone to remember one of my favourite quotations “Slavery is not African History; Slavery interrupted African History”. This quote from Mutabaruka should serve to remind parents, students and educators that there is so much to learn about African, Black and Caribbean history that we should seize the wealth of opportunities that will come our way this month. However we should be cognizant of the fact that learning about black history should be a three hundred and sixty five day event.

So now that we are not relegating the learning and exposure about black history to twenty eight days I would encourage readers to revisit the July 10th, 2018 article that I wrote entitled ”Pack a Lunch and Explore Your History”. In this article there are several exciting suggestions that families, friends and educators can participate in that will expose young, curious and adventurous students to experiences that will shed some light into the vast and varied experiences of people of African descent in Canada and the world.

On Sunday, January the 20th the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) will have its annual Black History Month Kick-Off Brunch at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto at 255 Front Street West. Several other events will follow. They will be coming fast and furiously. Many school boards across the province will host celebrations. I suggest that you check out their websites and make an effort to attend. What better way to connect with your children than by spending an evening at their school exploring and learning with them about their heritage and culture. Who better to instill a sense of pride than you their parent or guardian?

Honoring the Past Inspiring the Future is the theme for the 18th annual Black History concert which will be held in Brampton. Peel United Cultural Partners is the group that is responsible for this outstanding production each year. This partnership between the United Achievers’ Club and the Congress of Black Women, Brampton Chapter has been producing first class family entertainment wrapped in an educational bow annually. This year the venue has changed. This gargantuan collaborative spectacle will be held at Century Gardens Recreation Center which is located at 340 Vodden Street East in Brampton. The keynote is the president of the OBHS, Natasha Henry and the Community Leadership Award will be presented to the Honorable Justice Donald McLeod. There will be entertainment for everyone including Grammy and Juno Award winner Liberty Silver, the Young Legends of Pan, Wings of Passion and much more. The event will be emceed by Colleen Taffe and me. The tickets are a mere $10 thus the show will be sold out fast. So don’t delay. For tickets call Lucinda at 905-459-1942 or Christine at 905-206-9798.

In Brampton, like several municipalities across the province there will be flag raising as well as other ceremonies and opportunities for individuals to learn about black history. Please do your due diligence and check your municipality’s website for the details.

The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) is a hidden gem in Brampton which has a host of different events celebrating black history in the Peel Region. Come and visit this quaint and refreshing retreat in the heart of downtown Brampton. On Saturday, February 16th from 2-2:30 Karolyn Smardz Frost will be discussing her prize-winning books Steal Away Home and I Got a Home in Glory Land. This educator and Archaeologist will be on hand to discuss her research and will be signing her books. So come over to 9 Wellington Street East in Brampton. I cannot wait to pick her brains!!! On Sunday, February the 17th, from 1:30-3pm the charismatic storyteller my mentor and friend Sandra Whiting will be mesmerizing PAMA’s visitors. Admission is free for children under five and a family pass for a family of two adults and up to five children is twelve dollars. The best part about PAMA is that residents of Peel can borrow from their local libraries passes to visit PAMA.

On February 16th at 10am the Brampton YMCA  will be hosting their annual black history event. This has always been a great learning opportunity, a chance to take in excellent entertainment as well as a chance to sample some amazing food. Several YMCA facilities and other service clubs like the Rotary also host events so check their websites or pick up the phone and make the call.

Be diligent and purposeful in seeking out rich experiences that will help to inspire your children to be the best they that they can possibly be. When the family journeys together and explores their roots the rewards are endless and indescribable. So journey with me as we celebrate Black History Month in February and the other three hundred and thirty-seven days of the year. Walk Good! Belle Marché.