Black History Month has become more and more high-profile in the last few years. Each year, cultural and educational activities are organized during this month to recognize and celebrate the contribution of the Black community in Quebec and Canada. What does this month represent for those who are far from the spotlight, who live in neighborhoods? As part of the La Converse dialogues, we discuss it with a dozen people from Montreal's black communities.
“Black History Month is a reminder month”
It was one evening in February, in the back of the Urban Space Boutique, that the dialogue began. Many people from different generations are present to share and exchange their experiences and feelings about Black History Month in Canada. As everyone settles in, we notice that two groups are sharing the space: young people with an immigrant background on the one hand, and the older ones, who have recently arrived in Canada, on the other.
When asked about their relationship to Black History Month (MHN), the participants in the discussion said they felt a certain discomfort. However, some say that the MHN is symbolic for them. This is particularly the case of Jean Alex, a health network worker. A forty-year-old of Haitian origin, he has been living in Quebec for nearly five years. He explains that, “for [him], Black History Month is a month of reminder for the black community in Quebec and Canada.” In the same vein, Sherlyne, a public servant who has already run in provincial elections, says, “For me, it represents the hidden history of Black people in the country.”
This vision of Jean Alex and Sherlyne was not shared by the rest of the guests. “I hope you'll excuse my outspokenness, but I think it's all hypocritical. Promoting something for a certain period of time [just one month] and then doing nothing after that is very hypocritical,” exclaims Gana, who is completing her first year as a resident of Quebec.
For Gabriela, founder of Racines Bookstore, Black History Month is driven by a capitalist vision. “Everyone is capitalizing this month. Instead of seeing the negative, I think we should take advantage of this to try to upset companies and institutions that use Black History Month for capitalist purposes. Questioning them is my way of taking responsibility in the face of this angle,” explains the North Montrealer.
“This is not our home, even though we grew up here”
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The relationship with Black History Month is strongly influenced by the experience and reality of each individual.
“This is not our home, even though we were born and raised here,” says Sherlyne. Her intervention seems to resonate with others. “The fact that you always have to work harder than others makes it hard... You bear the blame of others. We've all been told that: “You don't have the right to make mistakes, you have to do more, because when they see you, even if you made the same mistake as the others, it will be worse,” says Shana, a 29-year-old author and editor. Both women believe that the February celebrations allow them to take their place in society.
Arriving just a few months ago from Haiti, Horiol Desile Destine approaches this celebration in a different way. For him, Black History Month is synonymous with discomfort. “I understand that, when you're Black, you're in the back seat... You leave a month just to say, “Oh, there they are.” We highlight them for a month, and then after that, there is nothing. I would feel much better if this month did not exist”, admits the newcomer. Horiol Desire Destine tells us that he did not know that a Black History Month existed. This celebration is only official in Canada, the United States and England, which is why a majority of newcomers are unaware of its existence. Guerdy, who is alongside Horiol Desile Destine, is of the same opinion. Also new to Quebec, he wonders: “Why only one month for blacks? There should be gatherings for blacks all year round, where their importance in Quebec society would be explained.”
The discussion then turns to the personal experience that everyone can have of Black History Month. “I did not participate in any events,” says Gana. She explains that in Haiti, the country where she comes from, “Black History Month does not exist.”
What is being put forward?
The criticisms aroused by these testimonies call into question the primary mission of this commemoration. This particularly bothers Youveline, a bachelor's student. “It's Black History Month, not Black Month,” she rectifies. “It's still an important month for me, there's a story behind it. There is oppression in our history, and it is something that continues to influence and has an impact on the community even today,” she adds. She does not hesitate to illustrate her point: “It was during the month of February that my history teacher was giving a course on Martin Luther King, in addition to the history of Quebec,” she notes ironically given the absence of black Canadian figures in the history taught.
Audrey, a 20-year-old multimedia student, says that Black History Month is a month like any other. “I've never celebrated Black history in one way or another,” she admits. “In February, it was just my mom talking to me about it. I don't know much about it...” she adds. Unlike others, she experiences her black identity differently. She admits that she only knows Haiti, its country of origin and its heritage, through the stories of her grandmother.
Jasmine, 16, is a student at Sophie-Barat High School and wants to highlight the invisible nature of Black history. “Apart from February, we don't talk about it a lot,” she explains. She notes that, even during the month devoted to Black History, the subject is little or not covered in her courses. No activities are organized. “They put up a Beyoncé poster and say they represent black people,” she explains mockingly.
“I want to see the little ladies in the grocery store”
“You have to go to ordinary families, who are not necessarily affected by this,” says Jean Alex. The latter refers to activities organized during Black History Month, but which are often not accessible to a large part of the community. “There should be more activities in schools and churches,” suggests Gerdy. “There are lots of people in evangelical churches. Come and do activities with them,” adds Jean Alex. He explains that the community is in these places and that it would be interesting to go there to offer activities and raise awareness for Black History Month. Jean Alex feels that a lot of people are not included in Black History Month activities, and that these are the same people who might be interested if they were approached.
“I feel like maybe they're being forgotten,” Shana says. Many people are overlooked when promoting these activities and the same people are always asked to participate, says Gana. She explains to us that, in her opinion, the organizers of these events are “going on the spot”. “I know what it is about, but you are still inviting me, when there are some who need to know, who need to understand and whom you never invite,” she adds.
For Sherlyne, the importance of Black History Month should be passed on “from generation to generation.” I think that it is by dint of putting these young people in the face of these particularities that actions will be taken,” she explains.
“We should make opportunities more accessible”
During the discussion, a theme comes up often. The activities organized during Black History Month are exclusive. They do not reach all parts of the community and overlook those who are constantly left in the shadows, such as young people, seniors, newcomers or ordinary citizens who are far from the spotlight or anti-racist environments, for example.
“There should be more activities for young people in the Black community: mentoring programs, programs where they are introduced to Black authors and where they have spaces to express their passion, for example,” says Youveline. She notes that the events set up for this month are often aimed at older people. “17-year-olds are not necessarily going to go to an open-mic night in a bar,” she adds.
“We should make the possibilities more accessible,” says Youveline again. It is often the same young people who are cared for and given a platform.” According to her, organizers often do not want to do the work with young people who are not already involved. They prefer to turn to young people who are aware of the issues and who are ready to talk about them and express themselves.
“Activities should be carried out to inform young people on the subject”, intervenes Jasmine. The 16-year-old student also explains that, since the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, many young people have become aware of Black history. “Before, I had never heard of Black History Month,” she explains. She adds that, at school, the cause passed off as a kind of trend. “They talked about it a bit when it was the main topic, but afterwards, it slowly faded away,” she explains.
Youveline also points out that some Black History Month events require a fee, which can reduce their accessibility for some people. “Charging for an event is not necessarily the best thing to do to encourage people to come,” she explains. “For families, it's not easy,” says Jean Alex. “For families, it's not easy.” says Jean Alex.
While the conversation revolves around solutions and ideas for initiatives, Audrey explains that the dialogue gives her lots of ideas for events to organize for her community. The young woman, who is passionate about skateboarding, adds that “nobody thinks of black people when it comes to skateboarding.” In particular, she thinks that we could organize an event in a skatepark for young people who do not have access to events for people over 25. “I think that I could literally create an event to encourage more young people from black communities to skateboard, roller skate and bike,” she says.
As the evening draws to a close, the discomfort that was present in the room at the beginning seems to have disappeared and given way to a warmer atmosphere. Despite the diversity of participants' experiences, a certain cohesion is established. It is over a meal that discussions bring young people and newcomers together and that the hope for a more inclusive February grows.
*This report was produced as part of the Converse Dialogues, a space for caring discussion aimed at serving communities. If you are concerned about something in your community, feel free to write to us at info@laconverse.com.