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Black advocates hope B.C.'s proclamation of Emancipation Day sparks change Slavery was abolished in Canada on Aug. 1, 1834 Icel Ballard . CBC News
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Thousands protesting systemic racism march along Thurlow Street in Vancouver in 2020. (Gian Paolo Mendoza/CBC) From this year forward, Aug. 1 will be known as Emancipation Day in B.C., marking the day slavery was
abolished across Canada in 1834. The proclamation was made Thursday by the B.C. government. "Although the [Black] community has been here for more than 150 years, the experience of Black British Columbians continues to be marginalized," said Rachna Singh, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. "But this is a province that has been shaped by the contributions of Black Canadians throughout our history." She said Emancipation Day will highlight the achievements of Black British Columbians. On March 24, MPs in the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate Aug. 1 as Emancipation Day. 'What we have in Canada is just called tolerance': Experiences of being Black on Vancouver Island More than 800 Black people first came to B.C. - which was then the colony of Vancouver Island tween 1858 and 1860, fleeing racial animosity in California. Now, more than 43,000 Black people live in B.C., according to the 2016 census.
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NDP MLA Rachna Singh says Emancipation Day will highlight the achievements of Black British Columbians while recognizing the impact of past and present anti-Black racism. (Doug Kerr/CBC) Singh says Emancipation Day will also highlight the inequities B.C's Black citizens have experienced, including racist policies that prevented them from owning property and voting. And, she says, it's clear that the Black community continues to face barriers and racism. "Too many Black British Columbians are struggling to get ahead because of the systemic racism that continues to bind them," said Singh. 'Step toward reconciliation' Kamika Williams, chairperson of the Anti-Racism Coalition of Vancouver, says the proclamation of Emancipation Day is a significant moment for Black history and civil rights in B.C. "It's important to teach the truth so we understand our history and that we acknowledge the systemic racism of our past and present," she said. "This is an important step toward reconciliation." Ismael Traore, UBC director of faculty equity, says Emancipation Day also serves as an acknowledgment of Canada's participation in slavery. And while the emancipation act may have ended slavery in Canada, he says it did not mark the end of racism. "And so I ... am left to wonder, what will be different this time?" asked Traore. "Will the observance of this day in B.C. come with meaningful, systemic, anti-racism, transformative changes? Or will this be a continuation of, at best, incremental ism?" Singh agreed that a proclamation alone is not enough and said her government will continue to work toward dismantling systemic racism .. Her team is working to draft anti-racism legislation, and they intend to introduce B.c.'s first Anti-Racism Act.
"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance-and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning." Oprah Winfrey
Dirty. Damaged, Different My father and mother became parents burdened with pain, loss, bitterness. To their graves they took their secrets. During life they'd each likely felt dirty, damaged, different. Without intention they'd passed on their poisonous legacies by what is clearly defined abuse. I was not exempt from feeling dirty, damaged, different. Throughout the years I've expressed sincere sorrow to those upon whom I'd inflicted pain as a result of my feeling dirty, damaged, different. As I focus on compassion and forgiveness from others I feel the guilt and shame lift. I feel less and less dirty, damaged, different. Nowadays, I am at peace. I envisioned one day feeling clean, whole, in sync. At last I no longer feel dirty, damaged, different! D Jacqueline Angharad Giles
When] Dream Whene'er Ifeel overwhelmed or forlom I dream of the Land of the Unicorn. Feeling I'm one with both forest and stream I become immersed in my childhood's dream, Drawn by a,magical mystical breeze Whisp'ring softly through forever green trees. My one-homed friends oft frolic night and day. I'm intrigued by the fairness of their play. Their love and friendship permeate the air And the hearts of all those who venture there. Such peace and happiness rarely I feel, 'cept when amongst the Unicorn I kneel. Some say tis not right to think such a thought. They deem a Unicorn's existence naught. All I know is that when I close my eyes Much breathtaking beauty before me lies. When days lack heart-felt, soul-felt ecstasy, I choose a tireless, timeless fantasy ... © Jacqueliue Angharad Giles jaglles61@protonmall.ch
Racism: My Experience
Born white and male, as I am, as a member of the dominant society, I am privileged in ways that are less available to persons from other ethnicities and cultures. Though I've had my misadventures with addiction to alcohol, I was always able to find work and when I was ready to sober up all the support in the world was readily available. Jobs just came my way, sometimes, when I didn't really even want to work. That privilege has kept me unaware for most of my life that I unconsciously carry racist attitudes, based in the cult of individualism and the institutionalized racism that pervades our oppressive society. We live in a world where there are sharp class distinctions and the people most often relegated to low-paying jobs, unemployment, and poverty are most often people of colour. As a white man, I have mostly been unable to see or experience barriers erected against those not born so lucky. I have never been guaranteed ajob after a phone interview, then turned away, when I showed up because I was Indigenous or Brown or Black, as a recently happened to an acquaintance of mine. I have learned in my travels that those of us who are white, who are born into this privilege, basically all carry unconscious racist attitudes. It's not our fault, but it is our responsibility to do something about it, and our responsibility to interrupt it whenever we see it. We need to learn more about racism, acknowledge our biases and work to transform them. In her book, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, Robin Diangelo outlines how "whiteness" is an invention, a category created to justify white 'superiority', an ideology and attitude used to dehumanize other humans so they could be enslaved and subjected to colonialism's conquests. Subjugated people were used to enrich the conquerors both as slaves worldwide, and in Canada as suppliers of animal pelts for far below their real value. The profits from the fur trade further enriched wealthy whites as Indigenous people had their land stolen, their children kidnapped, their cultures outlawed, their language suppressed, their people starved to death, infected with smallpox, enslaved by alcohol and on and on it goes. We did this as we proselytized Christianity, theoretically a religion of love. We All Go Back to the Land: The Who, Why, and How of Land Acknowledgements, by Suzanne Keeptwo, informs us that, "For all the Christian Biblical tenets that preach against passing judgement on others, the missionaries, trappers and governors misjudged the Indigenous people of this Land as primitive and simple, wh~ knew not what to do with the riches of the Land, the Earth Mother and her natural resources. In fact, the Original peoples across EarthMother were-and are-so much more inherently advanced because of a deep understanding of humankind's wellbeing as dependent upon the relationship with the Land and water, flora, and fauna." (Keeptwo, p. 5) The hundreds of unmarked graves being found near former residential schools are the racist legacy of working to "remove the Indian from the child," an attempt to destroy "the superior Indigenous worldview that will, if supported, save the planet from extinction." (Keeptwo, p. 73)As white people we need to listen much more closely to our Indigenous friends. Our children's and grandchildren's lives depend on our ability to learnto embrace a worldview in which we identify with the Land and water, flora and fauna; we must deeply connect with our interdependence with nature. We need to listen.
A recent study by a team of researchers led by Sarah Tishkoffat the University of Pennsylvania, confirms that "societal constructions of race are not useful when it comes to genetics .... The study really discredits the idea of a biological construct of race. There are no discrete boundaries between groups that are consistent with biological markers." (l) This reenforces my earlier statement that race is a social construct, an invention used to justify capitalist colonialism's inhumane brutality. In my travels, I have also learned that in order to become more fully human I need to evolve beyond all the 'isms': racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, classism, ageism, homo and trans-phobia, able-ism, and soon. I need to see everyone as fully human and not let anyone or anything get in my way as I work to embrace all humanity with compassion. I have been exceptionally fortunate in my life in having relationships with and meeting friends who have provided me with essential lessons in this journey. I continue to be blessed in that I live in a community that provides me with daily encounters with persons of different ethnicities, sexualities, classes and ages in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. So I keep working to interrupt racism and toward becoming less white. Robin Diangelo concludes her book by writing that this is, "... a messy, lifelong process, but one that is necessary to align my professed values with my real actions. It is also deeply compelling and transformative." By GILLES CYRENNE (1) Jason Daley, smithsonianmag.com, October 17, 2017
From "the Library
IT'S SUMMER & WE'RE BACK! ,., Special Guest Instructor ,., Angelo Moronl
Social Theatre A community ·theatre workshop Four sessions
July 30, Aug 6, 13, 20 . ---Fridays 6pm-8pm --In the Carnegle Theatre Join AngeLo for a workshop series where you can create theatre and express something significant to you; what you want to share of chaLLenges, strength and beauty. AngeJo Moron; has 15+
years exploring and practicing Theatre of the Oppressed. He mixes up this work with physical theatre, movement, poetry and music. No experience needed. Free, everyone welcome! With COVID procedures, capacity may be limited. For irfo: Teresa 604-255-9401 fhirfeelloj1learts@hohllail.col1l
Greetings from the bustling little Reading Room. 1am one of the information staff and potentially a familiar face here at the library. I've been lucky to be a weekend mainstay here for many years and this is my first addition to the Carnegie newsletter - so please join me (bear with me?) in highlighting some new programs and materials we have for you. The Vancouver Public Library's summer of virtual events continues to keep us connected, despite our being distanced. On August 12th from 3pm4pm, the Carnegie Theatre will be streaming the VPL Writer in Residence, adjunct professor, and esteemed author Lindsay Wong as she speaks on the craft of memoir writing. Wong is the author of the award winning memoir The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family - a novel that illuminates Wong's ghost-ridden familial experiences of mental illness, immigration, and survival. It is a story that weaves dark humour and wit into a tale more dynamic than fiction. If you are interested in finding a• copy of this, or another book ofWong's, we at the reading room would be happy to help track it down for you from our collection. Crying in H Mart is an exciting new memoir that explores identity, grief, and the unique experience of growing up inter-cultural by the KoreanAmerican writer and musician Michelle Zauner. This true-life story will deliver family tensions, overflowing plates of food, and lots of music from Oregon to Seoul. Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Identity follows author Darrel J. Mcleod through the winding path that took him from a materially poor upbringing in Northern Alberta to his eventual executive positions in the Canadian Government. McLeod's life story is a look into the complexities of bridging Indigenous and settler cultures and overcoming life's incredible obstacles. Many well wishes, Izzy
"Life isn't meant to be lived perfectly ... but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED." - Mandy Hale
Battered Women's Support Services is an excellent organisation dedicated to stopping the trauma and violence endured by many women. They are in the midst of a fundraiser: Sweat to Support Survivors. If you can help, email endingviolence@bwss.org for information.
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SOUP KITCHEN ANGEL In the hallowed hall of heroes there is the model of the soup kitchen worker. In facsall one has to do is to go to city hall and there at the entrance is a brass statue of a soup kitchen worker. Our city newspaper is even marked with an emblem of the kitchen worker and our yearly fall rain card novella are sold to celebrate this iconic figure. Everyone Ives the iconic image of the soup kitchen worker, far more than even Al Capone - this dude was a criminal after all. The image of the soup kitchen worker - immortalized in shining bron\e with wings to let our hero ascend into heaven. Yes - everyone loves the Soup Kitchen Worker. Roger Stewart
In the Interim at Carnegie Karla Kloepper has left her position as Director of the Carnegie Community Centre, effective July 23, 2021. Sharon Belli will be the acting Director for Carnegie Community Centre during the interim period of recruitment and placement for the permanent director. Sharon's first day back at Carnegie Centre will be Monday August 9. - Sharon has held the Director, Camegie .Comrnunity Centre role previously and possesses a deep commitment to community and willingness to make meaningful contributions towards positive outcomes. We're exited to have her rejoin the Centre team to support operations and continue to expand community programs and services in line with the Province of British Columbia's COVID-19 restart plans. For the period of July 24 to August 1, please connect with Rika Uto, Manager of Community Centre Operations at 604 665 3003 or rika.uto@vancouver.ca if you have any questions or inquiries about Carnegie Centre or Oppenheimer Park. During the week of August 2, you can phone the Camegie Centre at 6Q4 665 2220 to speak with the staff in charge to be connected with a staff person that can direct your call. Beyond August 9, Sharon will be reachable at sharon.belli@vancouver.ca or at 604 6653301.
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