Black History Month

Black activism against oppression and injustice has been an integral part of Black History. Black people resisted slavery through escape and rebellion, which eventually resulted in the abolition of this practice.

History shows that Black Canadians fought in the American Civil War.  Alexander Augusta, a Black Canadian who graduated from the University of Toronto, was a surgeon in the Union army. Black resistance led to the Civil Rights Movement which took place between the 1940s and 1960s. We witnessed Viola Desmond, a Halifax businesswoman, refuse to move from her seat in a “whites-only” section of a theater in 1946 and Lincoln Alexander become the first Black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons in 1968. Black Canadians resisted segregation in education, employment, and housing and sleeping car porters were the first Black workers to organize a union.

As we take the historical context of Black resistance into account, we must be cognizant of the fact that the necessity for this work continues. Black Canadians still face discrimination in many areas of life, including education, employment, housing, and healthcare. 

Today Black resistance takes many forms, including creating workplace policies that address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination. As political climates change, we as union activists must continue to play our part to ensure our voices are heard and hold leaders accountable in support of the movement of Black resistance.

In Solidarity,

Trisha Roach, Racialized Members Representative

PSAC Ontario Regional Council