Righting Canada’s Wrongs – Africville
BOOK LAUNCH
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 @ 11 a.m.
Africville Museum
5795 Africville Road, Halifax, N.S.

This Woman Thing

From my own observations and experiences, I know that women have a difficult time getting along with other women. Add race to the mix, and things deteriorate dramatically.
As women, in general, we tend to get along to get along. Underneath, however, the level of trust, respect and honesty feels inadequate. Race is always a contentious issue. If we speak of race we are suddenly outcasts. The fact remains that white and Black women, on most issues, are miles apart. White women have limited knowledge of Black oppression and history, and for that matter, the history of women of color (WOC). Any interest seems superficial. On the one hand, appreciative enough to be curious and to appropriate culture. On the other, never fully accepting differences or extending support. WOC have defined and limited roles in mainstream life. Racism limits their acceptance and advancement. Tokenism - having only one to continuously promote and objectify, limits and keeps other WOC at bay, stifling any criticism of racism. The gains WOC have made were attained by mass protests, petitions, civil unrest and violence. White women's movements though having had to resort to such drastic measures to be seen and heard, now rely on those powerful and privileged white women within their ranks to champion their causes. They often solicit the support of WOC to plump up the numbers. However, while they may provide empathy, they rarely, on the whole, use their voices to support the advancement and equality of WOC on their particular issues.. I've observed that professional white women react to WOC in ways that make us feel inferior. The list of racist behaviour is long and well-documented. I believe, in general, white women react to WOC favourably because of laws and their need to fulfill new norms like diversity, and only because it's been forced upon them and it's politically correct. The same overt racist behaviour we see towards women of color in the United States is covert behaviour here in Canada, raising doubt that it even exists. The oppression of Black women is not new. Movies like Gone With the Wind or more recently, The Help, exemplifies our separate place in society. There is a divide. White women have created movements, but fought mainly to improve their own well-being. They've ignored the plight of other women, particularly Muslim women. Black Lives Matter has met as much resistance from white women as white men. The #MeToo movement is basically and almost exclusively about the violence against white women. Black bodies are being violated and murdered and yet their focus is mainly on obtaining justice for themselves . The U.S. election in 2016 showed that the divide between white women is based on class, politics, religion, economic and geographical concerns. Their race was not listed as a factor. Black women are affected by the same dynamics including the burden of their skin color. Because women share the majority of these factors, it would stand to reason, that they should unite us, but instead, they divide us further. Within the Black community, Black women face another huge hurdle. Black women continually pit themselves against each other. We seem to have a real and inherited dislike of one another. Personal friendships work well as long as you stay in the same lane and not try to rise above the others. We have bonding issues and inabilities to support and stay focused on issues that would break down racial oppression. We allow others to choose our heroes, the ones they find acceptable to their conscience and repressed roles throughout history. This reduces our singular narrative about skin color, worthiness, history and any accomplishments. We try too hard to be pleasers, to fit in. to stand out as not being like other Black women. We tend to accept the status quo and norms that violate our very being. We must not raise their voices. We must subvert out potential, in other words sing back-up to those less talented. We must blame the victims as violators of civil rights. All Women face an uphill battle. Men mobilize. They protect their autonomy. They use their wealth, privilege, supremacy and entrenchment to ensure women adhere to traditional subjugation. The fight is real in everyday life. For many women, the struggle is so demanding they only have time and energy to worry about themselves. White women will come together for basic grievances like sexual assault or injustices that may affect them directly, but not for the rights for WOC. They are left on their own to fight, even against the resistance within their own numbers. Being a minority, their numbers are low at best rendering them ineffective. The thing about women is that unity is an almost impossible ideal. Sister to Sister
Can we -
Weave a tapestry of love that
Flows from continent to continent,
Dances in the rhythms of our one mother—
Africa?

Sing our sultry jazzy low-down blues
In sophisticated banter, in sharp notes married to
Our estranged journeys through
Time?

Exhale in the common tongue of sister talk,

Speak in tones of respect and
Look past the creamy-white, honeyed-tan and richly-ebony
Buffet?

Can we redefine the feminine beauty that

Surrenders under the skin touch,
Lip artistry and straight, crimped or coiled
Hair?

Smooth a legacy writhing under blurred vision,

Free thoughts smothered in muffled fear,
Dry anguished tears trickling into empty
Bowls?

Defeat violence that leaves its

Left-overs to the wind in corners where
Minds are numb, ears do not hear nor eyes
See?

Can we sisters of courage

Raise our arms in solidarity,
Lift our sister voices and speak
And elevate and grow as One?

- Burlap and Lace - Gloria Ann Wesley  © 2007

We Love Viola

An ad like the one following drew a rather sad response and got me thinking about Black heroes and how we acknowledge Black contributions to our progress from slavery to hopefully, one day - equality. "The North End Business Association (NEBA), along with several North End Halifax organizations, citizens, and partners, are hosting "Viola Desmond Vendors Market."  Celebrate Viola - a celebration in recognition of the 10 dollar bill release, and Viola’s legacy as a businesswoman and "the mother of the Canadian Civil Rights Movement." The mother of the Canadian Civil Rights Movement? I mean really, this should be hair-raising. Is the Viola Desmond Adoration Society moving beyond common sense and respect for other Black achievers? Consider this: In 2010, a book was published about her life entitled Sister to Courage. She received a pardon in 2010 from Lieutenant-Governor Mayann Francis and an apology from Premiere Darrell Dexter, both recognizing her conviction was a miscarriage of justice. In 2010, the Viola Desmond Chair in Social Justice was established at Cape Breton University. In 2012, Canada Post issued a postage stamp bearing her image. A Heritage Minute relating Desmond’s story was released during Black History Month in February 2016. The Viola Desmond, a harbour ferry, was named after her in 2016. In 2017, Desmond was inducted to Canada’s Walk of Fame under the Philanthropy & Humanities category. A section of street in downtown New Glasgow, N.S., was named Viola's Way in honour of Viola in 2018. A new homeless shelter, called Viola's Place, was opened in a former church in New Glasgow, N.S. in 2018. And on Nov. 23, 2018, Desmond will appear on the face of the $10 note. Is this going over the top? My point is, as we continue in our celebration of this beautiful woman of color, the story grows to exceptional proportions. Perhaps, this is how historical figures become icons, but as we've learned, our selections may eventually reveal the truth. Not to disparage Viola's contribution, but there were others before her (Dr. Carrie Best and Calbert Best) arrested for sitting downstairs at the Roseland Theatre, obviously because of the New Glasgow theatre's policy, there had to have been others. And, consider the segregation policy at many theatres across the province, as well as in schools, trades/professions and restaurants, as the norm.
The truth is, in Canada, we've never had a Civil Rights Movement even remotely similar to that in the U.S., so we insist on creating them. We now have a comparable "Canadian" Rosa Parks that is in no way a match, if you research the background and contributions of this dynamic American activist. In fact, to do so is to diminish Rosa. For one thing, provincially, when Blacks advocated for civil rights, they suffered the curse of division. The lack of unity to enable the movement to go forward hindered its progress. Secondly, people formed groups and organizations, made up of both men and women, diabolically opposed to each other. No one leader could lead the charge. As seen with Dr. King and Malcolm X, thinking in the Black community is not uniform. For another, the shear number of Blacks limits our ability to have an actual movement of like minds.

The fact that we had a significant movement, the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People, not just one singular person, is overlooked. The NSAACP took up Viola's case, yet get little recognition for championing civil rights. They provided her representation in court and achieved a settlement. The truth is community activism did not run parallel to Viola's business endeavors. She did not, as far as I've researched, belong to, create or lead a movement. This incident was not part of a long sustained effort on her part to fight for the rights of other Nova Scotians as she left the province after the case was resolved. My points are: We project our fantasies and need for great heroes onto anyone, without doing adequate research to gather the facts and quietly go along with whomever is chosen. Secondly, we let others determine for the Black community who the heroes are that we should support. Thirdly, we have people in the community who have dedicated their lives to making our path easier to walk and they do not get their due when one person receives all the credit. And lastly, not to diminish what Viola accomplished or endured, but let's not exaggerate, honour and dramatize this event beyond what was humanly bearable. We have Blacks who accomplished great things and endured far more scrutiny and harassment. Blacks who've dedicated their lives to elevating Black people. Let us consider realistically the requirements for "hero" and celebrate a variety of achievers. There are many notable Nova Scotians we should recognize, educate others about and love: Richard Preston, Portia White, Rose Fortune, B.A. Husbands, William Pearly Oliver, Carrie Best, Pearline Oliver, Rocky Jones, Mayann Francis, Daurene Lewis, Calvin Ruck, Walter Borden, George Elliott Clarke, Kirk Johnson, David Downey, Sam Langford, Sylvia Hamilton, Elizabeth Cromwell, Wanda Bernard, Brad Barton, and Irvine Carvery, just to name those who come quickly to mind.

Nationalists

So now, finally, the FBI admits white nationalism is like ISIS. Think of all the horror Black Americans could have been spared at the hands of racist terrorists. They have lynched and tortured thousands of Blacks, bombed their churches, shot, assaulted, intimidated, harassed and discriminated with immunity. For over two hundred years the KKK and other hate groups have been a stable, public institution. The numbers have grown enough to be worrisome to others. In Canada, the Proud Boys, Aryan Guard, Blood and Honour Canada, Canadian Nationalist Party and the Heritage Front are just some names in the under-researched network of people who refer to themselves as white nationalists, supremacists or the alt-right. The idea that anti Semitism, racism, Islamophobia, and ant-immigrant hatred is mild and nothing to worry about is to underestimate the broad sentiments not outwardly expressed in Canada. The white male feels under threat and is organizing and being supported to maintain dominance. Not that they are being pushed from the stage, but that they are refusing to share the stage. Think of how many alt-right folks there are in the U.S. to be able to elect and continue supporting a racist president. Think of the possibility of electing a PM in this country with similar ideology. These folks are everywhere claiming they want to take their country back by promoting "white racial consciousness." Claiming they are the only pure race. That "outsiders" are a threat to their autonomy. That they are being denied free speech. These supremacist have been calling for a race war for a long time.  After centuries of evidence, finally, the FBI is recognizing them as a threat to peace and security. They are seen as comparable to ISIS with their hate ideology. Americans and Canadians might now realize the threat from ISIS is weak in comparison to homegrown terrorists.

Not the Government

Not the Government Here's the facts. The Bank of Canada is a Crown corporation and Canada's central bank. Chartered in 1934 under the Bank of Canada Act, it is responsible for formulating Canada's monetary policy, and for the promotion of a safe, sound financial system within Canada. The Bank of Canada is the sole issuing authority of Canadian banknotes, provides banking services and money management for the government, and loans money to Canadian financial institutions. It is free from partisan political influence. The Liberals did not raise interest rates. Knowing this may not make you happier, but it will make you smarter.

Crazy Black Man In the White House

The media is really having a field day over Kanye West "ranting" and cursing in the Oval Office.

How could he get away with cursing in the White House? Shouldn't security have ushered him out? For two hundred years, the White House hasn't just been a symbol of the presidency or government, but the house of the people.

Though we know how despicably people treat their own homes, in the White House there is to be no defilement, only the greatest respect. By cursing, Kanye West has committed a horrible crime in the court of public opinion.

Well now, just a gosh darn minute. Back this horse up and let's talk about defilement in this special place. Did you know Willie Nelson smoked what he called "a fat Austin Torpedo" on the WH roof when President Carter invited him to stay overnight. Under President Andrew Jackson, a group of friends got so drunk they turned into a mob and broke up the furniture and dishes. In 1812, the British burned it to the ground, you know a friendly little gesture. And then there's that little episode where President Clinton diddled Monica with a cigar and got impeached. I dare not guess how President Trump might defile or who he might in the wee hours when Melania is, away promoting "Be Best."

So the nastiness over a few cuss words and a little five minute over-the-top rant, that, frankly, was more interesting than anything Trump could compose, is just another example of bullying a person who is trying his best to make a difference. Be it in a nonsensical way. But please people, put this man and this disturbed president into context. Crazy is as crazy always has been. Curb the shock. Stop thinking Kanye is more ill than the rest of Trump's circle.  

Cosby Will Never Rest Another Day

Here's the thing - All the women coming out about Cosby (60) are absolutely believed. Women who came out against Kavanaugh (3) were not believed. This is not about numbers, but about who is protected. If appears women feel more compelled and free to identify Black men, while they rally to protect their own. Perhaps in Brent's case, there were only three, but experts suggest otherwise because of his behaviour and sense of privilege.

Every argument from lying to politics was used against the Kavanaugh accusers to protect Mr. Brent. The sixty in Bill's case were never suspected of having ulterior motives. The majority of powerful men accused by the #MeToo's are still out and about shuffling and grinning. Most have held their positions, even been promoted or shifted to other well-paying jobs. One even became POTUS.

Men of color are shamed and shunned if accused or convicted. Everything they've achieved is stripped from the record and their names riddled with bullets. In days gone by, the mere suggestion a Black man raped a woman resulted in hangings and other horrific forms of punishment. White men were allowed to have rape as a privilege, a form of fun. Afterall, "boys will be boys." They have ravished women in Black and Native communities with impunity.

While other powerful men quietly slide under the radar, Bill will forever be called a dangerous monster. He'll be cited in case studies as an example of the worst, most vile, human beings,The other creeps will get barely a mention.

Not only will Cosby never rest another day, but for people of color, fighting this kind of bias and injustice, will not let us rest either.