A few days ago, the Halifax Examiner published a statement written by prisoners at the Burnside jail. In their statement, the prisoners declared that they are engaging in a non-violent protest to pressure the Nova Scotia government to provide them with “a more productive rehabilitative environment.” The organizers of the protest at Burnside view themselves […]
Voice of the City
Posted inNews + Opinion
A monument for the Maroons
One walks in vain through the public spaces of Halifax to see a plaque or any other sort of memorialization to the Black presence in the city. Take the waterfront, for example. This was a site to and from which different collectivities of African-descended people—including enslaved Africans, free and enslaved Black Loyalists, self-emancipated Blacks on […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
My summers on the Harbour Hopper
Summertime in the city, and everybody is hating on our infamous amphibious vehicle, the Harbour Hopper. And what’s not to dislike? They are big, loud, break down often and clog up traffic. At the very least, you will hear the dulcet tones of it chugging along a mile away from you, with the blaring motor […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Historian laureate needed in Halifax
In my time living in Halifax, I can say for certain two things: Our poet laureate position is incredibly valuable and our public conversation about heritage is terrible. These two things together make me certain that we need a historian laureate. It’s hard to argue against the impact of our poet laureate. The position has […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Affordable housing musical chairs
Within a two-block radius of my home in the north end of Halifax, there are six condo buildings in various stages of development. This, of course, doesn’t include the four adjacent lots at the end of my street that are being sold as a package for its tear-down value of $2 million. Who gains and […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Why Schmidtville matters
On July 17, HRM council unanimously approved the neighbourhood of Schmidtville as a Heritage Conservation District. And there is much to learn for everyone in the city. Nine years after Friends of Schmidtville applied, this unique locality will receive protection from encroaching development and preserve the ambience of the largest and oldest contiguous historic area […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Christ preached love, not intolerance
We are all of us shipmates on the surface of a vessel called Earth. All religions of the world expect acceptance, respect and the right to worship and conduct themselves within the laws and doctrines of their chosen beliefs; without prejudice or interference. Should not these concepts apply to sexuality as well? Certain clerics are […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Being Black and a tourist in Halifax
I live in Toronto. In May, I spent two weeks in Halifax visiting a friend who lives in the city. I went to the Central Library, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Pier 21, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, Peggys Cove, the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History and […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The last ship to transport Africans to slavery was helmed by a Nova Scotian
As HRM officials lament the recent Halifax Transit “suck me, boy” racism that, along with a slew of other offences, has earned this town the moniker “Halissippi,” I’m mindful that the Clotilda—the last ship to transport Africans to bondage—was helmed by a Nova Scotian. His name? Captain William Foster. Famed for her novel Their Eyes […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Poor history of hiring Black workers continues
The effect of systemic racism damages indiscriminately. Our government, media agencies, educational organizations and construction industry are equally complicit. The federal government signed a contract with Irving Halifax Shipyard without a provision that financial auditors be tasked with ensuring that the contract requires the inclusion of Black Nova Scotians in hiring programs. The provincial government […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Not ensuring adequate funding for the elderly in care homes is a glaring example of ableism
The disabled community is the most diverse community of all. We are all races, ethnicities, religions, et cetera. And people may “join” our community and leave after a time, such as after surgery that impairs mobility or the other senses. Given enough time, we all become disabled by age. There is such a shame surrounding […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
The unbleeping of the media
I remember the anticipatory relief I felt on the eve of November 8, 2016, that normalcy would return the following day. Not political normalcy, alas, but at least a return to our previous norms of politesse. I thought I would once again be able to turn on the news in front of my then 12-year-old […]
