African Canadians: Where are our stories?

African Canadians: Where is our History

February: Black History month they say. A time to reflect on the black heroes of yesterday and to provide accolades for the prominent black leaders of today; kudos for those still paving the way. So we turn on our television and we are bombarded with movies and documentaries of the accomplishments of African American figures such as Harriet Tubman, and the underground railroad, Medger Evers, Malcolm X and of course the> father of the civil-rights movement in the United States, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I remember the first time I heard his "I Have a Dream" speech. I was ten years old and I was absolutely mesmerized. I had no idea my world was so restricted, violent and unjust. My elementary school was tucked away in a low income housing area and was culturally diverse. Racism was not my reality. And then one day I read about a little boy named Emmett Till who at the age of 14 was brutally beaten beyond recognition for simply whistling at a white woman. I remember asking Mrs. Mckenzie, my grade four teacher, what's wrong with being black? Of course I know now that Mrs. McKenzie could not tell of the obstacles that would come my way or of the constant fight to prove myself worthy...as a person. She simply told me not to worry...Black is Beautiful. And then I ran off to walk home with my bestfriend Jacqueline who one day, with her blonde hair in pigtails and her serious blue eyes, revealed to me that she would never ever call me a "nigger," to which I replied: why would you? As far as I was concerned, my history began with my Caribbean roots. My great-grandmother was a Maroon not an American slave, an African descendant who was a part of the rebellious slave movement in Jamaica, but there was no story glorifying the Maroons, no movies with a stellar cast, but wait a minute...what about African Canadians? Where were the stories to tell of who we are?

Today a proud educated African Canadian, I see that very little has changed. I will turn on the television and I will see the same images, the same stories...the same sentiment. Black History month remains as a time to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans. What about the sacrifices and contributions of Black Canadians? Not to reduce the importance or the accomplishments of the American figures, but we all know that many paths of the Underground Railroad did lead to Canada. So why must the stories of trials and tribulations have to end there? Did we not battle slavery, discrimination and segregation as our southern neighbours? Do we, as Black Canadians, not have a story worth telling? Well to be completely honest...there are some films that tell these stories. Unfortunately, most of them are dated with tired footage and disengaging audio and interviews that lack the luster of today's technology. But I did see a few gems like Journey to Justice an incredibly important documentary, which I believe all Canadians need to see. Although Canada did not have segregation laws, according to this documentary, people were not only allowed to but it was their right to discriminate against minorities. Journey to Justice takes you on a Canadian crusade as six African Canadians fight for their civil rights forever changing the lives of all Canadians. Seeking Salvation, an uplifting documentary on the history of Black Churches in Canada and the purpose they serve in the black communities. I couldn't help but feel "the spirit" as I was reminded of a time, a time when the church was more than a place you spent an hour each Sunday...it was your hope, your healer, your life. Another documentary that really grabbed my attention was one called Speakers of the Dead. This chilling doc tells a story of a town hiding it's origins by replacing an old Black cemetery with a potato field. The Black descendants of the town later prove that the field was in fact the resting place of their ancestors and claim back the resting place with the help of the former lieutenant governor Lincoln Alexander. A truly remarkable story and I encourage you to see all these stories.

At this time, I would like to encourage Canadian producers and directors and especially the Broadcasters to get out there and find our stories, our African Canadian history. I feel it is important for all Canadians to be aware of the significant contributions of African Canadians and how we have assisted in the extending the cultural and economic fiber of this country. We need to document our accomplishments and promote them. With each passing day we lose ourselves as we identify more and more with the African American culture. The truth is that their reality...their history is not ours. But if it is all that we see, it will be all that is known. Yes, our two cultures may intertwine and undeniably there is a connection, but we are our own people. We have our own history, our own fights, our own struggles and yes... our own triumphs. To lose our stories, to not recognize our own heroes is to lose ourselves our identity.