With the month of February upon us, so is Black History Month.
Every year, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History month to celebrate and gain insight on Black Canadians and their vital role in the community.
Black History was first established in the US in 1926, and then made its way to Canada in 1995.
“There was a motion put forward by the politician Jean Augustine to the House of Commons,” says Christina Lord, Secretary of the London Black History Coordinating Committee. “In 2008, Senator Donald Oliver moved to have the senate officially recognize Black History Month and it was unanimously approved”
Since then, Black History Month as become a common festivity among Canadians. Libraries, theatres, and community members come together to honour the people and events in the history of Black Canadians.
Lord says Black History Month as become a crucial way to shine a light on the importance of such history.
“One of the benefits of celebrating Black History Month is that it gives us an opportunity to share some of the accomplishments, to break down some barriers, and to build some bridges,” says Lord.
However, despite the beautiful celebrations that run all through the month of February, some say in a perfect world, there wouldn’t be a need to have a month just for the Black community.
And Lorde agrees.
“In an ideal perfect world, our history would be an integral part of what we’re learning in school. In an ideal world, we would understand that we all contribute equally in our own way to building our society,” says Lord.
London’s Black History Coordinating Committee is hosting several events this month. For more information, visit their Facebook page.