It’s the month of February and apart from hosting Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, and several days of independence for countries all over the world, it is known by us in the western world as Black History Month. This year is particularly significant as noted by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, the honorable Jason Kenney. He acknowledged February 2012 as the 200 anniversary of the War of 1812 in which “a 68-year-old former slave named Richard Pierpoint, serving with an all-black company of soldiers…served with distinction at Queenston Heights and in other decisive battles”.
Arthur sought out the Trent African Caribbean Student Union to see what they had planned for the month to reflect on their history and to promote the achievements of black individuals both in the past and present.
Arthur was able to get in touch with TACSU’s secretary, Tiffany Benjamin, who said that as an organization their primary aim is to produce events that serve to celebrate both the African and Caribbean culture. Through these events, it is hoped that an appreciation and understanding of the rich culture from which African and Caribbean students come will be derived by students at Trent and the Peterborough community as a whole.
“Black History Month is of great significance to the club at this time since we have an added opportunity to educate and showcase our African and Caribbean culture. Not only is it a time for celebration for the advancements we have made as a race to the world, but also a time for reflection for what our forefathers have gone through to bring us to this point,” Benjamin stated. She also provided us with a calendar of events, highlighting all that TACSU has planned for the month of February:
February 2: Movie night (featured movie: Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair)
February 12: Xquisite Kinks hair show at the Champlain Great Hall at 4 pm. The show is primarily to bring awareness for the versatility of black hair.
February 12-18: TACSU will be having a window display at the Biko Library* which will showcase the plight from pre-slavery through slavery to emancipation.
February 15: TACSU will be having its open mic night and general meeting at the Kubo Lounge from 7- 10 pm. The stage will be open for all interested individuals who may wish to perform spoken word, a poem, a song, or even free styling. It would be an opportunity for you to express yourself.
While we acknowledge the importance of paying tribute to the past, not everyone sees Black History Month as necessary in a contemporary context. Is BHM merely another commercialized product that businesses have come to exploit? What place, if any, does it have in the lives of those with African ancestry? And for those that see it as a significant element in how we as black people come to terms with our self-identity, what more can be done? Arthur asked some of our students these questions and more, the following are their responses:
What does Black History Month mean to you and what more can be done in the Peterborough community to assist in this?
Lucie Kawiche: On my island of St. Lucia, Black History Month is something that is generally associated with the US culture, and as such, there are rare opportunities that I have been able to find significance in such a holiday. I believe that people of Black/African decedent should find pride in their history and if there is a need to make February the time for us as people to recognize these important events that have changed the course of history then we should make sure that we make time for it. In Peterborough, more specifically Trent, there is a continued effort to make the people who are part of these communities to feel educated about their struggles. But there should be more emphasis on minority power throughout the year.
Chris Cyrus: Black History Month, doesn’t mean much to me because, as it is history, it has no validity in the future. We are no longer in need of a whole month to celebrate our freedoms; it should be part of our daily lives.
Riche Sands: Black History Month is a time period used to reflect on what black individuals in the past had to endure and go through in order to get to where they are at now.
Torri Weapenicappo: It’s a month to raise awareness on black history and the amazing culture that has come out of it.
Sam: To assist in Black History Month in Peterborough, I believe that Maya Angelou should come to Peterborough to showcase some of her extraordinary work.
Aneka: Black History Month is a whole month dedicated to remembering the wonderful things that black people have done in the past. It ensures that people don’t forget and encourage the black youth to strive for greatness because it is attainable and show pride in their culture and background in a world filled with racism and bigotry.
What could people do to promote it?
Have workshops and information centres in community centres and libraries to help inform people about the different black ‘heroes’ if you will, like inventors and scholars and liberators. People don’t know a lot about them.
Creating clubs in schools so black students have a place to turn to getting in touch with the outreach programs involved in helping black youth like the NAACP.
Patreka Roach: To me, Black History Month is more geared towards American history on the struggles and accomplishments of Black persons that made an impact back in the day. I think it’s good to raise awareness on the accomplishments that persons of color have made (given our history of slavery, oppression etc) but then again I feel as if some persons use this as an opportunity to associate the colour of skin with being able to accomplish certain things which I do not agree with.
