By: KC Nañola

For this issue, our Editor requested that I write something about Valentine’s Day. I agreed, however, I realized Canada is also celebrating Black History. I was eager to expand my knowledge on geography and learn a little something about Black History and why we continue to celebrate it today. I thought it’s best to write something about history and leave the sweetness of life to the other contributing writers.

So, let’s increase our knowledge instead, and perhaps, try to impress our history teacher. Let’s talk about the celebration of Black History in Canada.  Not that I want to identify  colours but my article is only to give honour to our black brothers and sisters as we celebrate Black History Month and for our friends and readers to go back a bit  in the history for additional knowledge. I do not know much about it but with the invention of the World Wide Web, information is merely a click away.

Canada is a place where people from all places come and live in harmony. In school, I love the fact that we get along with children from all ethnic backgrounds. We celebrate cultural festivities and events. We play and share ideas regardless of our races.

According to my research, the Parliament of Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month. It is the time of the year that we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians that have contributed towards making Canada culturally diverse. We honour them for their pursuit and commitment in all areas of life, be it in education, science, arts, culture, public service, politics and human rights.

In 1950’s, the Canadian Negro Women’s Association brought the celebration to Toronto through a motion by one of the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine.  During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. Toronto has had a Black population from its earliest days as settlement and so in 1979, celebration of Black History was proclaimed. It was then recognized provincially in 1993 and nationally in 1995.

Viola! There’s a bit of information about our brothers and sisters special celebration. I guess for us in Toronto, February is a month of celebrations: Black History, Valentine’s Day, Carnival and Family Day. So, enjoy the wonderful month of February!