Can You Hear Me Now?
Challenging, lonely and exceptional. These are the three words former Liberal MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes uses to describe being a Black woman in politics. Why? Because “representation matters,” she tells me.
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During her time in office, Caesar-Chavannes was forced to push back against the status quo and lobby for legislation that would encourage equity. In return, she says she was met with sexism, racism and tokenism.
In the end, after a reportedly “explosive” conversation with a possibly tearful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Whitby MP resigned from the Liberal party caucus in 2019 and decided not to run again.
Jean Augustine sees future in the past Former MP Jean Augustine, who was instrumental in getting February recognized as Black History Month nationally 25 years ago. Photo by Michael Swan February 5, 2021
At this pivotal moment in the conversation around anti-Black racism in North America and beyond, Jean Augustine is reminded of the Sankofa a bird associated with a west African proverb used to express the importance of reaching back for knowledge gained from the past.
“Whenever you see the Sankofa it’s with its head looking back, then forward to position,” said Augustine. “I use that analogy because I think in order for us to go forward into the future, like the Sankofa, we have to know the past, take information from the past and bring it to the present. That is what I’m hoping Black History Month would be, could be or should be.”
London s official Black History Month features arts, heritage, food and awards
Author of the article: Joe Belanger
Publishing date: Feb 02, 2021 • February 2, 2021 • 3 minute read • Brazilian singer-songwriter Bia Ferreira headlines the TD Sunfest Connected Sessions Thursday, in a virtual concert along with opening act Rio Mira, from Colombia and Ecuador, in a tribute to Black History Month.
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Article content
The celebration of Black History Month in London kicks off with a virtual performance by an icon of the Brazilian struggle against racism.
Troubling on multiple levels : Black history education in Ontario left up to teacher s discretion
by Caryn Ceolin
Last Updated Feb 3, 2021 at 7:04 pm EDT
Summary
Growing chorus of voices pushing the Ministry of Education to make Black history a mandatory education requirement
In a Grade 8 history textbook, of the 255 pages, only 13 were about Black history
Children are taught more about African Americans than the challenges and contributions of Black Canadians
When students like Stephen Mensah open a textbook, rarely do they learn about someone who looks like them.
“Never did I read anything that represented my own experiences,” Mensah said. “It was very disheartening.”
Monday marks the beginning of Black History Month. Many events are scheduled to take place virtually, including several held by the Ontario Black History Society. Natasha Henry is the group’s president, as well as a teacher and historian. She spoke to CBC Toronto at 6 host Dwight Drummond about the significance of the next 28 days and how the pandemic has disproportionately impacted BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities.