February is Black History month; what's up in your neighbourhood?

by mtammas | February 2, 2009 at 10:50 am

767 views | 74 Recommendations | 8 comments

On February 1, the city of Montreal began Black History month by announcing its intention to access federal government funding for two projects: the completion of the Charles H. Este Cultural Centre and the restoration of the Empress Theatre.

What's happening in your city, community or neighbourhood to celebrate Black History month?

The city of Montreal launched Black History month yesterday with a pledge to secure federal government funding to complete the Charles H. Este Cultural Centre in Little Burgundy as a museum and a black community centre, and to restore the Empress Theatre in N.D.G. as a permanent home for the Black Theatre Workshop.

The money would come from the $7-billion earmarked in last Tuesday's budget for municipal infrastructure programs, said Marcel Tremblay, the executive committee member responsible for the city's cultural communities.

New Brunswick has a number of events lined up for Black History month. And Nova Scotia, where February is also celebrated as African Heritage month, 2009 marks the 25th year of honouring black history.

Provincial celebrations will include an exhibit entitled On the Road North: Black Canada and the Journey to Freedom, which will be held at the Moncton Museum from Feb. 16 to 20. The exhibition will be presented in collaboration with the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA), Pride Race Unity Dignity Education (PRUDE), Le Centre d'accueil et d'intégration des immigrants et immigrantes du Moncton métropolitain (CAIIMM), and the Government of Canada. PRUDE will also be delivering presentations on black history in New Brunswick to schools and other public institutions.

The Multicultural Association of Fredericton will introduce Black History Month themes in their English-as-a-second-language lesson plans, and working with those themes in their classes.

MAGMA will host a movie night every Wednesday in February, featuring black-history-related films to which the public is invited. Discussions on black history will be introduced as part of its curriculum. As well, MAGMA will take four students from each high school in the greater Moncton area, and a group of 20 others comprised of teachers, board members and staff, to the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia.

The community events calendar and more information on African Heritage Month are available on the African Nova Scotian Affairs website at www.gov.ns.ca/ansa . The calendar is updated as information on events is received. Weekly updates will be available by calling 902-424-3842, beginning Saturday, Jan. 31.

Black History Month was founded in 1926 by Harvard educated Black historian Carter Woodson. It started as a week in February to celebrate the history, contributions and culture of African Americans. In 1976, the week was expanded to a month.

In Nova Scotia, the celebration of Black History Month began in 1984 through the efforts of the Black History Month Association. It is now known as African Heritage Month.

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Jarrett Martineau

at 11:06 on February 2nd, 2009

Great post. Thanks for this.

158

at 12:18 on February 2nd, 2009

Very good information.

I live in a small town with few black people. I don't thinl they plan anything but a city 40 miles a way will have many events.

Fripouille

at 13:04 on February 2nd, 2009

"What's happening in my community"?

Nothing. But, then again, that's normal.

That's because in France there is still reluctance to acknowledge French participation in the slave-trade. A good and recent example was the extremely unpalatable polemic in Bordeaux about whether or not to put up a statue to commemorate all those black slaves who transited by the port of Bordeaux. (English ports do have commemorative statues, however).

And to think that many French people look down on French-speaking Canada and consider its inhabitants as morons.....

harringtola

at 13:36 on February 2nd, 2009

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism is hosting several events in conjunction with Black History Month. Here are some of them:

The Black Heritage Trail is a walking tour that explores the lives of blacks living in the Hub during the 19th century. It stops at 14 historic sites including the monument to the black 54th Regiment that served with honor during the Civil War. Visit www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm for more information.

The Cambridge African American Heritage Trail offers a self-guided walking tour of 20 historic sites throughout Cambridge that recall the social, political and economic development of the city as it affected all citizens. Individuals honored on the trail include W.E.B. DuBois, founder of the NAACP, William Lewis, the first black to serve as assistant attorney general and Bishop George McGuire, founder of the African Orthodox denomination. For information, visit www.cambridge.gov/(tilde)Historic/aahtrail.

A permanent exhibit, "Discover African Art" at the Worcester African Cultural Center includes ceremonial masks, sculptures, decorative arts, musical instruments, jewelry, furniture and everyday objects. For information, visit www.African-museum.com.

mtammas

at 15:48 on February 2nd, 2009

Thank you all for the terrific comments and additions. Fripouille, 'France' must know that as a country, its citizens are not alone when it comes to being reluctant to poke at sensitive issues. Perhaps change, and healing, begins with one, adds a few more, and over time becomes the new normal. As for commenting on the France/Quebec relationship, I'll leave that to mes conseours et confreres.

Fripouille

at 15:57 on February 2nd, 2009

Eh bien, d'accord!!

You're right, of course, all countries and citizens are reluctant to bury ghosts, but I would maintain that France's efforts to acknowledge this particular issue are, umm, a little tardive....

I'll count my blessings when France has a Black History DAY, never mind month! :-D

Tenisha Rawlins

at 16:48 on February 2nd, 2009

It's always good to see the community making new projects to celebrate Black History month! So far I have only seen a display in a library in honor of it, but I'm sure that there will be events to come as the month goes on.

Tenisha Rawlins has contributed a photo to this story.

Geneva B

at 16:57 on February 2nd, 2009

What a great way to kick off the month! It's a shame this is not celebrated in more places. We like to think everything's "equal" these days but there are still many legacies from the past that continue to shape perceptions and opportunities. Thanks for the great post and thoughtful comments!