February is African Heritage Month, and celebratory events are scheduled locally nearly every day through the month. The focus of most of the events is rightly on the broad range and depth of African-Canadian culture and history, which, however, necessarily includes discussion of the historic wrongs done to African-Nova Scotians.
Halifax has a troubled record when it comes to racial matters, one that continues to this day. Consider: I have on my desk a file of discrimination complaints before the human rights commission, and most are decided in favour of the complainant.
Weve got a ways to go to achieve a society with equal opportunity. It starts by becoming part of the conversation. See gov.ns.ca/ansa for an events listing.
This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2008.