Celebrating Black History Month
by Natasha BurfordEach February, our nation takes a moment to recognize the important contributions of many Black people in our country. However, the history of Black people is much more rich and diverse than just slavery and celebrated heroes and heroines.Recognizing the ancestry of Black people undeniably means speaking of the deep and sometimes overlooked connection to Africa and how those roots have impacted who we are as a people.Whether we are first or second generation Canadians, we have a tapestry of traditions rising from all over the world: the Caribbean, South or Central America, even Europe that all trace back to the beautiful continent of Africa. Let us tell the stories of the Kings and Queens of that great continent and not just of the dark times of our history. Let us tell the tales of the brave settlers of Canada, who worked hard to make Canada their home and helped to make Canada the safe place that we enjoy today, by fighting in the two World Wars.Let us celebrate Black heritage, recognizing that we are inventors, builders, and politicians who helped to develop Canada to the magnificent country that we celebrate today. We are multicultural...We are Canadian!For Black History Month Events in the City of Toronto visit http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=fa1e81d0d0703410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=906f5e4394103410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
