Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating Black excellence and reflecting on Black history.  Since the profound growth and development on the Black Lives Matter movement, we have been witness to a powerful moment in Black history.    It’s important to look inwards to see what can be done better to confront racism and inequality.  Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate Black History Month.

 

Support A Black Owned Business

Buying from Black owned businesses is one way to redistribute wealth and financial equality in the fight against systemic racism.  Whether is making a purchase, or telling a friend, any support is appreciated. Click HERE to see a directory of Black owned businesses that you can support.

 

 

Donate to a Black Organization

One way to support Black Canadian lives is to donate any amount to a Black organization that is doing the ground work to make a change.  Click HERE for a list of Black organizations that you can support.

 

Learn By Reading Books By Black Authors

One way to celebrate Black History Month is to dedicate time towards educating yourself about the past, and learning about white privilege. Reading books from Black authors will serve as an educational guide on how racism is rooted in society.  Some of the books below talk about Canada’s long history with systemic anti-Black racism and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in Toronto, while others describe what it’s like to be a Black student in a prominently white school and highlight multi-racial identities.

Frying Plantain by Zalika Reid-Benta

Set in Little Jamaica, Zalika Reid-Benta writes about Kara Davis as she navigates her Jamaican and Canadian identities. The short story collection follows Kara from elementary school to high school graduation, exploring Davis’ friendships with her predominately white classmates, first boyfriends, visits to Jamaica and tensions within her relationship with her mother.

 

The Skin We’re In by Desmond Cole

Toronto-based activist and journalist Desmond Cole, chronicles 12 months in the struggle of Black liberation.  He writes about the Black Lives Matter protests in Toronto, the murder of Abdirahman Abdi by a police officer in Ottawa and the trial of off-duty cop Michael Theriault and his brother Christian, who were charged with violently attacking Dafonte Miller.

 

I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You by David Chariandy

David Chariandy writes about the politics of race in the form of a letter to his daughter. As the son of Black and South Asian immigrants from Trinidad, David tells the story about his own ancestral history, which involves slavery, immigration and finding his own identity.

Sources:

ABC News

CBC

Shondaland.com

SmoothRadio

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