Canada has its own troubling past with discrimination
"Hello Mr. Sarpong,
I am unsure of the viability of the Africentric school methodology. I am distressed by your comment, 'Meanwhile, those opposed to the idea see it as a step back toward a destructive segregationist past that was prevalent in Toronto and throughout North America.' Segregation was in the southern portion of the United States only. There were no lunchroom or washroom restrictions in Toronto. The only segregation in Toronto was in washrooms for males/females. Segregation was an evil that was legal in specific states in the United States. Canadians and Americans supported Dr. Martin Luther King in his fight against this evil..."
Although I believe that this letter writer genuinely seeks to acknowledge the great strides toward multiculturalism and inclusion that have been made in Toronto, the unfortunate fact is that segregation has existed in Canada for hundreds of years. Throughout Canada's development, the segregationist mentality has been directed at individuals of African descent, as well as members of the First Nations and the diverse immigrant populations that have made their way to this country.
For example, Section XIX of the Common School Act of 1850 allowed for the creation of separate schools for black children. In the 1800s, many African-Canadian children were barred from the public schools that white children attended and were forced to attend separate schools. Parents challenged the law that forced their children into separate schools, with varied results. The law that allowed for segregated education in Ontario was finally struck down in 1964 thanks to the efforts of Etobicoke MPP Leonard Braithwaite (the first black person in Canada elected to a provincial or federal legislature), who made it his first order of business to get this legal segregation struck from the books.
Segregationist laws existed outside of Ontario, as well. Through her actions in Nova Scotia, Viola Desmond became the focus of one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian history. On Nov. 8, 1946, she attended a movie at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, N.S. Soon after, she was arrested for choosing to sit downstairs in the racially segregated theatre, rather than upstairs in the balcony where blacks were forced to sit. She was thrown in jail for 12 hours and then finally charged with "attempting to defraud the Federal Government." The charge was based on her refusal to pay the one cent amusement tax difference between the 3 cents charged to those sitting in the balcony and the 2 cents charged to those sitting downstairs. Viola would not agree to pay more than the white customers for the same show. After a short trial she was sentenced to a fine of $20 and 30 days in prison. The Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NSAACP) assisted in raising the money to pay the fine and bring to public attention the Jim Crow-like laws allowing the racism and bigotry that people of African descent were forced to live under.
As Canadians, it is crucial that as we propel our multicultural society forward, we remember the often painful but important lessons of the past. The pages of Canadian history are filled with incidents derived from both legislated and societal segregation. Perhaps the next time someone raises a query as to whether or not we should recognize Black History Month or assumes that racially based segregation occurred only in the United States, reciting the memorable actions of brave Canadians like Leonard Braithwaite and Viola Desmond will be our response.
Jon Sarpong is the diversity officer at Durham College. He provides independent diversity training and consultation for various organizations. Contact Jon by e-mailing jsarpong@hotmail.com.
