Celebrating Black History Month

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February is Black History Month. 

As we look to the future, it’s critical to acknowledge and learn from the past. Black people have a long and vibrant history in Canada, but have also experienced centuries of severe racism.

Over the past couple of years, Black people around the world – and supporters – have taken to the streets to protest racial inequality, systemic racism and white supremacy. This became known as the Black Lives Matter movement.

HEU stands in solidarity with all people fighting for racial, social and economic justice. And HEU members feel the grief and anger at the devastating impact of structural racism in the U.S., and in our own communities.

Here in Canada, racism is part of daily life for anyone who is not white. Black people in Canada face harassment, discrimination, racial profiling, and police brutality.

As we commemorate Black History Month, we strive for a future where Black lives are safe from police violence, where Black people everywhere enjoy full liberation, and where Black opportunities are abundant.

For allies wanting to stand up for Black communities, there are many ways to show your support. But the first step is to listen and learn.

Here are some ways to celebrate Black History Month.

1. Find resources and support the movement for Black Lives
Supporting a movement to end state-sanctioned violence that targets Black people, and ending white supremacy requires everyone’s support.

Black Lives Matter Vancouver:
https://blacklivesmattervancouver.com/

2. Learn about B.C.’s Black history
The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (https://bcblackhistory.ca/) creates awareness of the history of Blacks in the province.

In B.C., the thriving hub once known as Hogan’s Alley in Strathcona was the epicentre of Black food, music and culture – until it was bulldozed to construct the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. It uprooted B.C.’s first and only Black neighbourhood, displacing residents, and shutting down businesses.

Learn how Hogan’s Alley is preserving and amplifying Black history in Vancouver. Take a walking tour through the neighbourhood around Hogan’s Alley to learn more about the history of the area.

Black Strathcona - http://blackstrathcona.com/
Hogan's Alley Society - https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/

3. Read Black authors
Black Lives Matter Canada (https://www.blacklivesmatter.ca/culture) has a great list of Canadian books about Black lives.

Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada, edited by Rodney Diverlus, Sandy Hudson and Syrus Marcus Ware.

Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard.

Black Writers Matter, edited by Whitney French.

For the children! Black Lives Matter Freedom School Workbook, written by Leroi Newbold and illustrated by Janine Carrington.

Go Do Some Great Thing by Crawford Killian, Commodore Books, 2008.

After Canaan by Wayde Compton, Arsenal Press, 2010.

4. Watch films about Black Communities in Canada
National Film Board – Black Communities in Canada
Explore this free collection of films by award-winning Black filmmakers, creators, and allies of the Black community, detailing a rich history to better understand the present.

Secret Vancouver: Return to Hogan’s Alley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-8lgpvj0Hg

Black Strathcona: Hogan’s Alley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANX5kYh-8dc

Black Strathcona: Vie’s Chicken & Steaks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_khoX5h2FkQ

Black Strathcona: Militant Mothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdk_KUFUp98

Black Strathcona: Sleeping Car Porters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq_RIGbJnOE

5. Educate yourself about issues facing Black people
Check out some free education sessions presented by the Vancouver & District Labour Council (February 9) and New Westminster & District Labour Council (February 16) at 7:00 p.m.

Sessions include Racism is a Virus, and Dismantling and Challenging Racism presented by Candace Knoll; and Antiracism, Respect and Inclusion At Work, and Systemic Racism and lntersectionality presented by Parker Johnson.

For information and registration, contact: (Vancouver) office@vdlc.ca, or (New Westminster) nwdlc@shawcable.com.