Black History Feature

Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond played a seminal role in Canada’s civil rights movement. On Nov. 8, 1946, Demond was dragged out of the Roseland Movie Theatre in New Glasgow, N.S. and jailed by police for sitting in the “whites only” section. At the time, Black people could only sit in the balcony. She was subsequently convicted of a “tax violation” for “failing” to pay the 1 cent difference between the whites only section, and the balcony seating.

In 2010, Desmond was granted Canada’s first posthumous pardon, a formal apology from the Crown-in-Right-of-Nova Scotia for prosecuting her for tax evasion and an acknowledgement that she was rightfully resisting racial discrimination.

Her face is now the centrepiece of our $10 banknote, accompanied by quotations from the Human Rights Bill.

For more information about Viola Desmond,

Click here
Oscar Peterson

An eight-time Grammy-winning Jazz pianist and composer, Oscar Peterson is widely considered to be one of the greatest Jazz pianists of all time.
Peterson was born in Montreal, Québec, after his parents immigrated to Canada from the West Indies. He grew up in the predominantly Black neighbourhood “Little Burgundy”, and it was there he encountered the jazz culture that would inspire him to become one of the world’s best pianists.
Peterson travelled the globe, playing with world-renowned artists, and was a trailblazer for young Canadians - particularly Black Canadians - who wanted to pursue music. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1978, received the Order of Canada in 1972, and many schools and establishments now adorn his name with pride.
For more information about Oscar Peterson,

Click here
Fred Thomas

Born in 1923, Thomas was able to navigate an upbringing rife with racism and become a folk legend through athletics.
Thomas was the first Black athlete to play football for the Toronto Argonauts. Thomas also played baseball for Cleveland’s Minor League baseball team, and was recruited to play for the Harlem Globetrotters.
Thomas faced racism through his career, having to sit on the bus while his white teammates did press interviews, and not being served in whites-only restaurants. Nevertheless, he was always known for treating those he met with dignity and respect.
To this day, Fred Thomas has yet to be inducted in Canada’s sports hall of fame. Because of this, he is often referred to as “the greatest Canadian athlete you’ve never heard of”.

For more information about Fred Thomas,

Click here
Rosemary Brown

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Rosemary Brown was the first Black woman to be elected to a Canadian provincial legislature, and the first to run for the leadership of a Canadian federal party.
As a Canadian politician, she dedicated her career to advocating for housing, employment, and human rights for visible minorities, people with disabilities, and the disadvantaged.
She founded the British Columbia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, and went on to be a professor at Simon Fraser University, and Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
She was honoured with the Order of British Columbia in 1996, and the Order of Canada in 1996.

For more information about Rosemary Brown,

Click here
Carrie M. Best

Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Carrie M. Best was outraged when she heard about a group of Black high school girls being forcibly removed from the local Roseland Theatre for sitting in their whites‐only main floor section.
When her letter to the theatre’s owner went unanswered, Best took her son to the theatre herself, and sat in the main floor section, despite the theatre refusing to sell her anything but a balcony ticket. The police were called and Best and her son were removed by force, convicted, and fined for disturbing the peace.
Although Best lost her attempted legal action against the theatre, she remained determined to fight against injustice, and in 1946 founded Nova Scotia’s first Black‐owned newspaper, The Clarion. When Viola Desmond took the very same theatre to court for discriminatory practices, Best put her story on the front page.
Best’s career in journalism continued into the 1970’s, and she remained a tireless advocate against anti-Black racism, Indigenous oppression and basic civil rights for all.
To read more about Carrie M. Best,

Click Here
Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818, in Cordova, Maryland. In 1832, at the age of 21, Douglass escaped, and fled to Massachusetts. He became a public speaker and author, despite how dangerous that was, for a Black man at the time. He published an autobiography in 1845, which became a best-seller, and was translated into multiple languages.
Alongside a team of abolitionists, Douglass would go on to found the African American newspaper The North Star, which advocated against slavery and urged its readers to recognize the humanity in those being oppressed. Douglass would continue to fight against racism as a journalist, lecturer, and politician, and in 1888 became the first African American to receive a vote for President of the United States.
To read more about Frederick Douglass,

Click Here

Black History Matter Video Series

Below check out quick informative videos to learn more about important Black figures and events throughout history, such as Lincoln Alexander, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, bell hooks, Bayard Rustin, James Wesley Hill, and many more voices that often have been overlooked in textbooks and in schools.

Learn more about Black allyship and access Black-centered resources

“Although I have experienced many wonderful moments of inclusion and acceptance, I do still experience racism to this day: usually microaggressions, as opposed to overt racism. My solution to that is to speak up when I need to address bigotry, and focus on the support and allyship that surrounds me when I need it.“ - Saidat
“Being a person who wants to make a difference is the first step. Speak up - let someone know that you are not ok with what is happening. Report - if it happens at school, your principal and teachers are people you can connect with to find a resolution and make sure that action is taken. Live by example: You can be a role model in your community and demonstrate acceptance and compassion in your own language and actions.“ - Saidat
“If it’s someone who doesn’t think this is a big deal, I’d say that racism is real and it’s dangerous. Being targeted for who you are hurts and makes you feel isolated and angry like almost nothing else. But it also doesn’t have to be that way. Pick up a book or watch a documentary about a part of the Black experience with an open mind. It’s not “us” vs. “you.” We’re neighbours, and loved ones, and friends. If it’s someone who’s trying but nervous of not getting it exactly perfect - I’d say keep trying, and keep learning. I’m learning too. And I appreciate you!” - Chris
“We get this question a lot. Some Black people do feel empowered by reclaiming a word that was historically used to dehumanize Black people. I don’t personally use the word, but I also wouldn’t tell another Black person not to be empowered by saying that. However - someone who is not Black should absolutely not be using that word. It is racist for someone who is not Black to say, even if your Black friends do.” - Courtney
“Frank and honest worked well for me. From an early age, my parents let me know that I would encounter people who will treat me unfairly because of the colour of my skin. That it’s not right, but it will happen, and so when it does, know that it’s not right, stand up for yourself (if you’re safe to), and we’ll be there for you always. When something racist happened on the news, or in popular culture, or in our own lives, they would always make sure to break it down, explain it, and firmly take a stand that it was not right. It didn’t make it hurt less when it happened, but at least it wasn’t out of nowhere, and I knew I wasn’t facing it on my own. I am so grateful for them providing me this strong support growing up.” - Chris
“We get this question a lot. Some Black people do feel empowered by reclaiming a word that was historically used to dehumanize Black people. I don’t personally use the word, but I also wouldn’t tell another Black person not to be empowered by saying that. However - someone who is not Black should absolutely not be using that word. It is racist for someone who is not Black to say, even if your Black friends do.” - Courtney

Tips on Becoming a Better Ally

Avoid invasive questions.

Message received: “You are not Canadian, you are a foreigner. You don’t really belong here.”
Message received: “You’re so exotic… speaking of which, may I invade your personal space?”

Avoid making assumptions.

Message received: “You’re all the same, right? Like that movie I saw, from the 90’s?”
Message received: “I am immune to racism because I have friends of colour… and no I didn’t really hear what you said.”

Avoid dismissing lived experience and calls for action.

Message received: “I, as a white person, do not care to talk about, or acknowledge race.”
One thing to note: It is possible to avoid making someone feel “othered” or different, on a day to day basis, while still acknowledging and validating their lived experience when relevant. If you were raised to believe “We don’t look at anybody differently, because of the colour of their skin,” we’re not saying that’s a bad thing - that’s a beautiful thing.
But when somebody is trying to tell you about racism that they have faced, it’s important not to dismiss it by saying something like “Wow that’s so weird, because I don’t even see you that way.” Because that person does have to live that experience every day.
Message received: “I don’t really care to acknowledge, or to learn how Black lives specifically are in danger.”
No one is saying that all lives don’t matter. We are saying that all lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter.

There are countless digital resources out there: Instagram and TikTok accounts, podcasts, documentaries, books, the list goes on. We shouldn’t expect marginalized people to be walking textbooks; it’s important to do some of that education on our own time. We’ve included a few resources that we love at the bottom of this page!
Most people feel that they need to save the day by jumping right into the action, but how can you be a problem solver before knowing the real problem? Paying full attention to what Black people are expressing will turn allyship without productive results into real change.
Here are some approaches that have worked well for us:
If it’s more of a mistake, sometimes pulling someone to the side and giving them the benefit of the doubt can give someone the chance to learn and do better next time, instead of shaming them in front of a group. “Hey - I know you didn’t mean to hurt anyone by saying that, but…”.
When it’s a stereotype being made, sometimes a simple question can start the conversation. “Do you actually believe that?”
Finally, when it’s more of an attack, clear and direct often works best. “Hey - don’t say stuff like that. That can really hurt people.” We also recognize that it may not always be safe to have that type of confrontation, but even in those circumstances, don’t forget to check on people who may have been harmed.
We know from personal experience that being called something like the n-word, in addition to making you feel hurt and angry, often also makes you feel extremely alone. And so if you, as an ally, are able to go over to someone and say “Hey, are you ok? That was really messed up,” it at least lets someone know that they are not alone, and that there is someone in their corner.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. If someone tells you that something you said/did was hurtful or even racist, it's not a time for you to be insulted. It's a time for you to listen and learn. Being called a racist doesn't make you the victim. You might not always get it right! Listen, educate yourself, then do better next time.
We need everyone in this fight against racism, and no one person or organization can do it all.
People tend to wait until something bad happens to someone that they know personally, like a friend, neighbour, family member or classmate before they decide to do something about it or speak up. Honestly, that's just too late. For a long time, Black people all over the world (including Black Canadians) have been telling their white neighbours and community leaders about the violence, systemic racism and oppression that they face daily because of the colour of their skin.
Don’t wait for something horrible to happen to someone you know. Get out there and do what you can. Whether that be donating your money, your skillset, or your time; protesting, organizing, voting, or running for office; educating yourself, your colleagues, friends, or your family; or producing articles, graphics, or documentaries - it all adds up. Use the tools at your disposal and find your voice. You might be surprised at the ripple effects that you can have, inspiring someone else to find theirs too.

Helpful terms

Racism

Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

Colour Blind Racism

Racial or colour blindness reflects an ideal in the society in which skin colour is insignificant. There are concerns that majority groups use colour blindness as a means of avoiding the discussion of racism and discrimination. Example: “I don’t see colour.”

Systemic Racism

A form of racism that is embedded as normal practice within society or an organization. It can lead to such issues as discrimination in criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power and education, among other issues.

Colourism

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.

Microaggressions

A term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative prejudicial slights and insults toward any group, particularly culturally marginalized groups.

Example: “You’re pretty for a Black girl”; “You speak so well for a Black person.”

White Privilege

The societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people in some societies, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances.