must be black history month again

so it’s february 1. day one of black history month. 28 days of blackness, where people pay lip service to the history of africans, african-canadians, and african-americans. four weeks of hip hop jams, showy-yet-substanceless speeches and spoken word. at least we’re past the afro-centricity fad.

what’s the point? what purpose does black history month serve anymore? i believe that this should be revisited. i’m not debating nor denying the need for a black history month, i’m just bewildered at what it’s become.

black history month (extended from the original week) was created to set aside a time in the year where the stories of african-americans would be heard. these stories weren’t present to the extent they should have been in the public sphere. they still aren’t, but rather than focus on one month of the year, shouldn’t february be used to gain momentum for black history initiatives throughout the year?

black history month has become a stereotype unto itself. the events organised in february are predictable, no longer original and superficial. in toronto, we’ll talk about the underground railroad, possibly have a documentary film screening or photo exhibit on the topic. we’ll have spoken word evenings, where the theme will be “being black is hard”. hip hop jams. there’ll be focus on black arts – namely jazz, blues, reggae, dancehall and hip hop. we’ll remind everyone that picasso wasn’t an originator, but a biter of african art. we’ll also have some authentic african-derived dance performances. hopefully, if someone’s politically motivated, we’ll have a rally, maybe centred around the proposed evictions. but this being Canada in february, doubtful the turnout will be that great.

will we talk about one of the most important events in african-canadian history – africville – i wonder? will we talk about the social issues dealt with by canadian blacks? will we talk about the incredible diverseness of the african-canadian diaspora? will we talk about the needs of black youth, and then do something about them? and will we not make this the only time of the year when we focus on black cultural producers? will we showcase innovators, rather than presenting the same old roster of black public figures?

i think these questions need to be asked by community leaders and event organisers, who may be too caught up in delivering an event, and have forgotten the reason for the need for a black history month.

i’m tired of seeing dancers perform traditional african tribal dances. i’m tired of hearing the same poets talking about their blackness, women and music. i’m offended by the harbourfront’s superficial and for-entertainment-purposes-only celebration of blackness.

please god, not another year of this.

no stoning please, we’re canadian

No stoning, Canada migrants told
Don’t stone women to death, burn them or circumcise them, immigrants wishing to live in the town of Herouxville in Quebec, Canada, have been told.

so much for tolerance. so much for the pretext of tolerance. i am offended, and you should be too, if you have one shred of decency. what does it say about us as Canadians, if events like this can happen?

blown out of proportion? please. let’s not get into the trivialization of racial politics right now. what happened in Herouxville was called “an isolated incident”, but i’m interested in the repercussions.

nobody knew where Herouxville was last week, and frankly, the only reason people should know its location is to avoid it.

brazen

brazen’s world

i’m a twenty-something living in toronto.

i’m doing this because i need an outlet. this is where i vomit up what i’m feeling in response to things i go through and things i see, read and hear. i need to do this. i need to say what’s on my mind. and you need to hear it. but you don’t want to.

i’ll say what i want.

brazen