Evidence of Outcome
Figure 1
This photograph is of Harry Jerome, a Canadian sprinter. In the picture, he is receiving the order of Canada in 1971. He was the first black Canadian to receive this award. Harry Jerome broke five world records. As teenager, in the 1950's in Canada, he could not continue onto university and be a sprinter. As he studied in the United States, the Canadian population came to their senses, and they realized that a person is a person, no matter their race or skin tone. As a member of the Canadian Olympic team, he competed 4 times in the Olympics. He set the 100 meter dash world record twice. [5] As we can see, during the lifetime of this man, Canada changed their policies, tendencies, and rules of acceptance, not by any laws, but just out of human decency. This is an amazing example of the progress that Canada made, to eventually give everyone, of African descent or not, equal opportunities.
Figure 2
http://www.historyofrights.com/statutes/provincial/Ontario%20Racial%20Disc%20Act%201944.pdf
The link below the picture to the left takes you to the official Ontario racial discrimination act, passed in March of 1944. In this act, it is clearly stated that no person shall be judged or discriminated against due to their race. This act was a leader, and led to the creation of other laws and bills concerning race, that eventually lead to the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. This act shows us that blacks all across Ontario and Canada were accepted as equal people, and segregation had been taken out of the air that the citizens breathe. [6]
The following video clip is from U of T graduate Shawn Knights. He is the co-founder of the the University of Toronto Black Alumni Association, the first such organization at a post secondary institution in Canada, and he serves as its president. During this video clip, he speaks about the struggles of the first black MPP, Leonard Braithwaite, and shows that now, after the end of segregation towards Africans, there are many successful African-Canadians. This shows that starting from humble beginnings, and struggling through difficult times, Canada now can accept African-Canadians. [7]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS0UinYNiwQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS0UinYNiwQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Halifax apologize for razing Africville
The above title was likely greated with much joy and sorrow. The former residents of a bulldozed black community and their descendants have received an official apology from the mayor of Halifax. Peter Kelly apologized Wednesday for the loss of Africville, the black community that stood along the Bedford Basin for more than a century before it was razed to make room for a bridge in the 1960s.
"I'm here today on behalf of Halifax regional council to deliver a formal apology to all those whose lives have been altered by the loss of Africville in the 1960s," Kelly said at a ceremony held at the YMCA in north-end Halifax.
"We realize words cannot undo what has been done. But we are profoundly sorry and apologize to each and every one of you. The repercussions of what happened to Africville linger to this day. They haunt us in the form of lost opportunities for the young people who never were nurtured in the rich traditions, culture and heritage of Africville."
The apology was backed up a total of nearly $5 million from three levels of government for the black community — $3 million from the city, $1.5 million from the province and $250,000 from the federal government.
One hectare of land is also included in the agreement, along with a commitment to rebuild the Seaview United Baptist Church on the site. It will be used as an historical interpretative centre. Seaview Park will be renamed Africville, but it will still be owned by HRM.
And a special department at city hall will be created to deal with issues that affect African Nova Scotians. [8]
"I'm here today on behalf of Halifax regional council to deliver a formal apology to all those whose lives have been altered by the loss of Africville in the 1960s," Kelly said at a ceremony held at the YMCA in north-end Halifax.
"We realize words cannot undo what has been done. But we are profoundly sorry and apologize to each and every one of you. The repercussions of what happened to Africville linger to this day. They haunt us in the form of lost opportunities for the young people who never were nurtured in the rich traditions, culture and heritage of Africville."
The apology was backed up a total of nearly $5 million from three levels of government for the black community — $3 million from the city, $1.5 million from the province and $250,000 from the federal government.
One hectare of land is also included in the agreement, along with a commitment to rebuild the Seaview United Baptist Church on the site. It will be used as an historical interpretative centre. Seaview Park will be renamed Africville, but it will still be owned by HRM.
And a special department at city hall will be created to deal with issues that affect African Nova Scotians. [8]