Continuing the Fight: 1960s – 2000
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A Changing World
![A young man and woman holding each other and smiling in celebration.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0005_AfricanLiberationDay1972.png)
![A man with glasses wearing a straw hat speaks into a microphone in his left hand.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0004_AfricanLiberationDay1972.png)
![Brochure for the Black Peoples Conference with graphic of the continent of Africa.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0003_BlackPowerConference.png)
![Police in riot gear on a main street in Detroit.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0001_DetroitRiots.png)
![Two woman wearing sleeveless sundresses pose by a resplendent red rose bush.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0000_Layer-1.png)
The nationalist and independence movements which took place in the 1950s and 1960s in Africa and the Caribbean had huge repercussions in the United States and Canada.
The latter governments realized that if they were going to have relations with these new Black nations, they had better clean up their own back yards. However, although Canada had its own fight for civil rights, it had been a relatively quiet affair, compared to that which took place in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, the American civil rights movement had significant reverberations around the world, which in turn, impacted on movements for equal rights everywhere.
After decades of lobbying and criticism, the Canadian government finally addressed the problem of its racist immigration policies with the 1962 and 1967 Immigration Acts, which allowed unsponsored Caribbean immigrants to enter Canada for the first time, based on their skills and education. The families of prospective immigrants could now sponsor their relatives as well. As a result, between 1967 and 1996, over 300,000 from the Caribbean immigrated to Canada. At least another several thousand have emigrated from the continent of Africa each year since 1966.
Breaking New Ground
Ultimately, the fight for freedom and justice here at home and abroad began to bear fruit. Whether they were new immigrants or had been here for generations, African Canadians began to move into the mainstream of Canadian industry and the job market.
Contrary to the conventional wisdom of a flow of development resources from the North to the South, teachers from the Caribbean – primarily Trinidad – were recruited to fill a teacher shortage in Hamilton in the mid- to late-sixties. This South-North flow of human resources from Africa and the Caribbean to Canada has been felt across the province in a wide variety of fields. The passports of Roger Ferreira and Gary Warner (below) are representative of the thousands of people of African descent who came during this period and forged successful lives.
![Passport with photo of an infant.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/RogerFerreiraPassport_Edit.jpg)
![Passport with a photo of a young man.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Case-7-A-Gary-Warner-Passport_Edit.jpg)
![Woman wearing a Special Constable uniform with children in the background.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0010_Layer-1.png)
![A man leans against a fire truck while dressed in his turnout gear.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0009_RickBell.png)
![Teacher standing with her students during class photo.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0008_Layer-2.png)
![A male and female doctor consulting with each other.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0007_Layer-3.png)
![A female health care worker with patient.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0006_Layer-4.png)
![Man outside the Citytv building holding a microphone and clipboard.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0005_Layer-5.png)
![A judge conferring citizenship on new Canadians.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0004_Layer-6.png)
![Headshot of a smiling mature man with glasses and moustache seated at a desk wearing a suit and tie.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0003_Layer-7.png)
![A woman making shopping carts.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0002_Layer-8.png)
![Two male migrant farm workers picking tomatoes.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0001_Layer-9.png)
![A woman working in a bank doing data processing.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0000_Layer-10.png)
![A mature man with glasses dressed in a suit and tie stands with arms confidently crossed.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0000_FredUpshaw.png)
![A pink lapel pin with white text showing the name Marie sharing the 'a' with the word action.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resize_0001_MarieActionPin.png)
Continuing the Fight for Equity
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African Canadians have been at the forefront of the struggle for employment equity, reform in the education system and in policing, and in the overall fight for justice in society. They have pushed for greater representation in unions and formed human rights committees to address problems of racism in the workplace.
![Three people with the UAW Local 199 logo printed on their white t-shirts.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/everettpudgedawson.jpg)
![Article titled 'Eleven of fifteen job firms show racial bias.'](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resized_0008_Layer-1.png)
![White spray paint on a red brick wall reads 'Racism Hurts Everyone'](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resized_0007_Layer-2.png)
![Pamphlet with an image of two hands clasping a lever and logo for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resized_0006_Layer-3.png)
![Front cover of the Black Voice newspaper.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resized_Black-Voice.png)
![Page from Organize Magazine themed Portraits of racial minority activists in CUPE.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/resized_0002_OrganizeMagazine.png)
![A man wearing a beret, glasses and full beard with woman speaking into media microphones.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/chaptr-3-story-3.png)
![Seven striking United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of Canada.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Striking-UE-workers.jpg)
![Peace march on Queen's Park.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PEACE-march.jpg)
![Candid photo of a mature woman wearing pink rimmed glasses.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/June-Veecock.jpg)
Black Community Today
The Black community of the 21st century is as diverse and multicultural as Canada itself.
Kwanzaa, the cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966 is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles.
Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits," Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa and it seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity and for families and communities to come together and reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans peoples. Zwanzaa is practiced by African Americans and African Canadians of all religious faiths and backgrounds.
![A man with moustache and glasses, in formal attire speaking into a podium microphone.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0000_WayneHurst.png)
![An adult woman and child under a lace umbrella.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0001_Layer-7.png)
![A parade of children and adults carrying a banner and mini flags with horizontal green, yellow and red stripes.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0002_Layer-6.png)
![A young man wearing a button down shirt and baseball hat with phone ear piece.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0003_Layer-5.png)
![A young woman wearing sunglasses dressed in leather holding a microphone as she performs.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0004_Layer-4.png)
![Woman with glasses wearing her Bishop's Mitre and white cassock.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0005_Layer-3.png)
![Person smiling while wearing a costume and heart painted on left cheek.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0006_Layer-2.png)
![A gathering of children wearing tinsel on their heads as adults look on.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Untitled-2_0007_Layer-1.png)
![A man dressed in a pilot's uniform.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/the-pilot-man.jpeg)
Primary Symbols of Kwanzaa:
The straw mat, or Mkeka (M-Kay-cah), on which all the other items are placed is a traditional item and therefore symbolizes tradition as the foundation on which all else rests.
The candle-holder, or Kinara (Kee-nah-rah), holds seven candles and represents the original stalk from which we all sprang. It is said that the First-Born is like a stalk of corn which produces corn, which in turn becomes stalk, which reproduces in the same manner so that there is no ending to the people.
The seven candles, Mshumaa (Mee-shoo-maah), represent the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) on which the First-Born set up the society in order that African people would get the maximum from it. They are Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
The ear of corn, Muhindi (Moo-heen-dee), represents the product (the children) of the stalk (the father of the house). It signifies the ability or potential of the offspring, themselves, to become stalks (parents), and thus produce their own offspring -- a process which goes on indefinitely, and ensures the immortality of the Nation.
The Unity Cup, or Kikombe cha Umoja (Kee-coam-bay chah-oo-moe-jah), symbolizes the first principle of Kwanzaa. It is used to pour the libation for the ancestors, and each member of the immediate family or extended family drinks from it in a gesture of honour, praise, collective work and commitment to continue the struggle begun by the ancestors.
![Headshot of a kindly looking mature man with a moustache wearing a suit and tie.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Oscar-Peterson.jpg)
![Brochure for the 3rd AfriCanadian Playwrights Festival in red black and white.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AfriCanadian-Playwrights-Fest.jpg)
![An artist poses with one of her murals.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Buseje-Bailey.jpg)
![Five members of a dance ensemble performing to an audience.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AfroCanadianDanceEnsemble_Edit.jpg)
![A woman dressed formally in a white dress suit with a hat and a gold and black sashe sitting in a stadium.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ArlieRobbins_Edit.jpg)
![A women soccer player.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Charmaine-Hooper.jpg)
![A young female stands with a mature bespectacled man.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Clarke_Cooper.jpg)
![Candid picture of a young woman wearing glasses and shoulder length dreads with a book and pen.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/DionneBrand_Edit.jpg)
![A Chicago Cubs baseball player on the mound winding up to make a pitch.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ferguson-Jenkins.jpg)
![A man on a stage addresses a large crowd at an opening ceremony.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/OpeningCeremony_Edit.jpg)
![Headshot of a smiling mature man with a moustache wearing a suit and tie while holding a trumpet.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tommy-Earlls.jpg)
![A woman standing with her hands clasped in a white dress with a man and woman in the background.](https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Vera-Cudjoe.jpg)
Language is not Neutral
Coming from a wide mix of cultures, languages and nationalities, there is no one African Canadian national identity. Rather, the African Canadian identity, as reflected in its music, literature, art and dance, may be defined by its heterogeneity.
Despite their diversity, African Canadians of all stripes have been on a four-hundred-year quest for racial justice and equality. African Canadian cultural expression has symbolized that quest, and it has done so, whether consciously or unconsciously, by tapping into the wellspring of the African creative genius. |