February is a great time to celebrate and reflect on the ways that Black Canadians have contributed to Canada’s history and culture.
When did it start? - The history of Black History Month dates back to 1926 in the United States. At that time, an African-American historian named Carter G. Woodson founded a week that focused on celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans. He decided on a week in February because two important leaders were born in that month. The first was Frederick Douglass, a former slave and antislavery activist in the 1800s who spoke out for the freedom of slaves, as well as equal rights for women. And the second was Abraham Lincoln. As the 16th president of the United States, Lincoln fought for the freedom of all slaves throughout the country. While Woodson’s idea began as a one-week celebration, it eventually became a month-long event called Black Heritage Month in the United States in 1976.
In 1995, Canada’s government officially recognized February as Black History Month.
Here are some additional resources for further learning:
* Enchanté Network is providing a great series of events called Queering Black History Month, including a "Queering Black Leadership Panel" on Feb 8, 2022 at 2PM which focuses a discussion on leadership from a Black 2SLGBTQI+ perspective. Panelists will explore their experiences with leadership, including how the 2SLGBTQI+ sector can support Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Register here: bit.ly/3rZx1PZ
* For those unaware of Canada's history with slavery: “We must also recall, however, that for more than two hundred years, slavery happened here, too.”
https://humanrights.ca/story/the-story-of-slavery-in-canadian-history
* Africville is part of a larger story of Black settlers in Nova Scotia, and is also part of the Ontario History curriculum and a mandatory course for grade 10 students.
https://humanrights.ca/story/the-story-of-africville
* A Different Booklist : A Canadian Multicultural Bookstore Specializing in Literature From The African and Caribbean Diaspora and the Global South.
https://www.adifferentbooklist.com
It is incumbent on all of us to commit to the continual process of working to dismantle anti-Black racism, and it is our responsibility to do our best to learn and to do better as allies.
If you are reading this statement, be encouraged to continue your own research and resource collection.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER