“AS WE celebrate the beginning of Black History Month, we reflect on the rich history of black communities in Canada and commit to building an equitable future for all. This is a time for Canadians to honour the legacy of black communities from coast to coast and celebrate the contributions they have made across the country. From scientists to artists, from business owners to philanthropists, Canadians from black communities continue to shape our country each and every day. “ONE OF the many stories we celebrate this February, as part of this year’s Black History Month theme, ‘Ours to tell’, is that of the Honourable Jean Augustine. Thirty years ago, she made history as the first black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons and later when she became the first black Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet. Her advocacy led to the national recognition of Black History Month, and she continues to be a beacon of excellence for communities across Canada and for others to follow in her footsteps. From Jean Augustine to medical pioneers like Dr June Marion James, athletes-turned-successful entrepreneurs like Donovan Bailey, scientists and comedians like Boucar Diouf, and artists like Dionne Brand, this year’s Black History Month theme celebrates stories that are worth telling. “Last year, the Government of Canada committed $1.5 million to support the ongoing activities of the JeanAugustine chair in education, community, and diaspora at York University, which works to address systemic barriers to improve educational outcomes for black students. We also provided funding through the Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative to support black community organisations across Canada, while the Black Entrepreneurship Program continues to offer black-led businesses, organisations, and financial institutions across Canada the financial resources to succeed now and into the future. These investments are key pieces to making sure we’re building an equitable Canada. “Canada has a history of anti-black racism, and communities continue to face the impact of systemic racism today. It is our collective responsibility to end it by listening, learning, and taking action. That is why in 2018, Canada officially recognised the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which provides a global framework for recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent. Building on this framework, our government will continue to address the unique challenges that black communities face. “We know that more work still needs to be done, and the Government of Canada will continue to support the advancement of black communities. This includes our ongoing efforts, working closely with provinces, territories, and black communities, to develop Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, which will help address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of members of black communities in our criminal justice system. And through Canada’s AntiRacism Strategy, we will continue fighting anti-black racism, eliminating inequities, empowering communities, and changing attitudes by building awareness. “This month, I invite everyone to take part in community events for Black History Month and to listen to and actively share the stories black communities have to tell. Let’s continue to celebrate their many past and ongoing contributions. Together, we will continue to build a stronger and more resilient country, where all Canadians can succeed, thrive, and have their voices heard.” Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada BLACK HISTORY Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. ORIGINS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent. Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures. The NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. In the decades that followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing “Negro History Week.” By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, “Negro HistoryWeek” had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.” Today, Black History Month is a time to honour the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings,”since the nation’s earliest days. Source: ht tps : / /www.hi stor y. com/topics/black-history/ black-history-month BLACK RESISTANCE - honouring the contributions and legacy BLACK HISTORY MONTH Honour the legacy of black communities - Trudeau MESSAGE Justin Trudeau. AP THE MONTHLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 22, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FEATURE 8
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