Black History Month: Black Brilliance Across Generations 🖤

Today is the first day of Black History Month here in Canada. 🇨🇦

Black History in Canada until 1900:

Black people have lived in Canada since the beginnings of transatlantic settlement. Although historically very few arrived directly from their ancestral homeland in Africa, the term "African Canadian" is used to identify all descendants of Africa regardless of their place of birth. "Black Canadian" is also used as a more general term.

The earliest arrivals were enslaved people brought from New England or the West Indies. Between 1763 and 1900, most Black migrants to Canada were fleeing enslavement in the US. By the time of the American Civil War, it is estimated that around 30,000 fugitives had escaped to Canada.

Black History in Canada 1900-1960:

Black Canadian communities continued to expand through migration despite racist measures implemented against them. Many communities were tied to the rail industry, as many Black Canadians worked as porters. Others worked in important sectors like mining and farming.

At the outbreak of the First World War, a large number of Black Canadians tried to volunteer for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. They became painfully aware of the concept of “a white man’s war” when they were refused. Black Canadians protested their exclusion. Black women were not permitted to join the Canadian Red Cross and other mainstream women’s groups.
As early as the 1920s, Black organizations challenged local ordinances, provincial laws and national policies that aimed to segregate Black Canadians. The struggles varied. In some communities, this meant fighting exclusion from cultural and social organizations and agitating against chronic underfunding of Black-area schools. Some fought by lobbying to open parks and pools to Black Canadians, as well as desegregate seating in theatres and churches. There were even sit-ins to force hotels, motels, inns and local eateries to serve Black customers.

Black women had to advocate for their right to vote in Canada. Men who did not own property also did not have the right to vote, which excluded many poorer Black Canadians from voting.

Black History in Canada 1960 to Present:

In the 2016 Canadian census, 1.2 million people (3.5 per cent of the Canadian population) reported being Black. Despite ongoing challenges, including discrimination and systemic racism, Black Canadians have excelled in sectors and industries across the country.

Black History Month in Canada was introduced by Jean Augustine to the House of Commons in December 1995. It was first celebrated across the country in February 1996. Despite historical and current challenges, Black Canadians remain highly resilient, optimistic and hopeful when it comes to their future.

Souces:

The Canadian Encyclopedia