CUASA Statement on Emancipation Day

July 29, 2022

CUASA Statement on Emancipation Day

Last year, Emancipation Day (August 1st) was officially designated as a federal holiday, which marks the date when slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834. Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, who was instrumental in advocating for national recognition of the day, said that “when I think about Emancipation Day, I see it as being a marker. It’s a day to honour our ancestors and honour the legacy of their resilience, resistance and hard work. It’s also honouring those who didn’t survive. It’s also a time to reflect. Reflecting on the full history and on how that history informed the anti-Black racism we are still dealing with today” (Reeder, 2021).

The BC Black History Society also hopes Emancipation Day will bring a greater awareness of the full history of Canada. They point out that the Canadian history taught in schools is “from a Eurocentric perspective that omits or minimizes the human rights violation against African Canadians” and that “African Canadians continue to be devalued and left to survive with subpar health care, education and lack of employment opportunities… African Canadians continue to experience systemic anti-Black racism through social exile, through significant economic disparities and through active discrimination” (BC Black History Society).

We encourage you to take the time to reflect on African Canadian history and the legacy of slavery in that continues to be felt throughout society today. If you’re looking to learn more and support Black creators, Jully Black, Shad, and many more will be celebrating Emancipation Day 2022 with a special performance and roundtable. Visit the CBC Arts article with further details.

References:

BC Black History Awareness Society. (n.d.). Emancipation Day in Canada: Past, present and future. BC Black History Awareness Society. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://bcblackhistory.ca/emancipation-day-in-canada-past-present-and-future/

CBC Arts. (2022, July 26). Celebrate emancipation day with some of Canada’s leading black creators and BIPOC Culture Makers | CBC arts. CBCnews. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://www.cbc.ca/arts/celebrate-emancipation-day-with-some-of-canada-s-leading-black-creators-and-bipoc-culture-makers-1.6531564

Reeder, M. (2021, July 29). Ask an expert: Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard on why Emancipation Day is crucial in fighting anti‑Black racism. Dalhousie News. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://www.dal.ca/news/2021/07/29/ask-an-expert–senator-wanda-thomas-bernard-on-why-emancipation-.html