Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month in Quebec is a period dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of Black Canadians, (black people all over the world).
This month-long celebration was definitely inspired by our American counterparts whom started celebrating Black history in 1915. Carter G Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the study and learning about Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in response to a lack of information on black Americans’ achievements.
At the time, this organization was dedicated to diligently studying and promoting the achievements of African-Americans and Blacks in the Diaspora. The moment in time chosen was February. The date was carefully thought to coincide with date of birth of Abraham Lincoln (who took a major part in the civil war that was fought againts the enslavement of Blacks in America) and Nicholas Douglas (who was a slave trade Abolitionist).
It is important to note that this took a few more years before it gained widespread recognition in Canada, more precisely Quebec. In December 1995, the House of Representatives officially acknowledged February as Black History Month in Canada, with the agreement of Dr George. Augustine. Since then, every February, Canadians in Montreal celebrate Black History Month.
More recently, the Black Lives Matter movement sparked all over the world a whole new modern debate around the numerous deaths of Black people related to police brutality.
This shed an even wider light on the the continuous contributions of Afro-descendants in Canada's history. People of African and Caribbean descent have made significant contributions to Canadian society. Black Canadians greatly influenced Canadian literature, music, sports arts, culinary field, education, health, public policy, and all aspects of Canadian life also related to political life and much more.
The following are different ways to celebrate Black history month in Canada.
- Take time to learn about Africans and their noteworthy achievements of blacks in Canada
- Attend the black history events : These events give you opportunities to think about Blacks’ activities beyond slavery and racism to Blacks’ major achievements.
- Visit a black or African-American museum: These museums showcase the full unbiased history that enables us to connect with the past experience, thereby understanding the past and seeing how black people were able to forge ahead.
- Donations to Black Organizations: Giving money to charity is an important way to support a movement or group, and monetary donations help fund programs and pay the legal fees and salaries needed to keep the organization running. Non-profit organizations need reliable funding year-round to do their work. Consider a monthly donation instead of a set amount. The amount may seem small, but the donation and other donations ensure a steady flow of funds to keep the program running.
- Learn about Canadian culinary heritage and how it has impacted the culinary landscape
We can all use this month (and beyond this particular month) to celebrate diversity as we are different, and we can contribute different things.
Celebrate with loved ones, family, children in order to empower and expose all to the many astounding accomplishments of black Canadians. Celebrate in your workplace, celebrate with friends.
Finally, allow yourself to explore these suggestions to help you immerse yourself in the every day contributions of Black people in Quebec :
-Our cooking classes
-Cuisine Lakay Lola's conferences in relation to Black History Month and its culinary heritage within Canada
-The organisation Mois Histoire de Noirs
-Audace Au Féminin who celebrates the contributions of Black Women all other the world with Le Salon International De la Femme Noire
-Donating to a local Organization working toward the betterment of Black People
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on our conferences and workshops about the Culinary Heritage of Caribbean food in Canada, please contact Lola directly in our contact form.
