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HP OPINION DON'T FORGET TO LOOK AT THE PRESENT DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN TODAY'S NORTH AMERICA IS ROUTINELY IGNORED, SAYS MIKE JARRETT uiumphs of the ® bast while the inequalities and “injustices of the pre- sent, I have become increas- ingly skeptical. The idea of Black Histo- ry Month had its genesis in the United States almost 100 years ago. Negro History Week, the idea of American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson, ig infated in February 1926. Halfa ry later, he “Association for the Study of African Amer- ican Life and History ex- panded the initiative from one week annually to a month. 1n1986, the U.S. Congress. MIKE JARRETT Column passed Public Law 99-244. The idea ofa month-long ac- Can Black History knowledgmentandcelebra- Month in the manner it is _ tion of the contribution of producethe African to the results initially anticipat- ed? Because it presents the "life and culture" of the United States had taken (Vorships please ern “The stories of past achievements by people of African descent are critically important for grade school children.” root. In Canada, the Process began more than 40 ago. In 1979, the City orto. ronto proclaimed February Black History Month. In December 1995, Canada's House of Commons recog- nized February as Black History Month and on March 4, 2008, the Canadian parliamentary process was completed with Senate ap- roval. Lod In Canada and the States, the word "Black" (as in Black History) refers to peoples of African descent. And, the subject matter ad- aires during Black Histo- Month is usually about past history" and ararely ev- History is easly de- fined as: "the documenta- fon or man's Interaction in rode 'S North Ameri- tory Month programs focus elsewhere. Police still bru- talize and kill people of Afri- can descent in the streets of the United States for msde. anours otherwis behaviour Black families in the early g 1800s. The Negro Creek A nt sign has been un- & der constant attack. It has estroyed 27 8 municipality and paid for > by taxpayers. § The stories of past 5 yee alba need by people of = 8 tic ly important for trade § child And, in Canada, home- owners of African descent may find that their proper- ties are valued at less than identical ones owned by their neighbours, as dem- onstrated in a CBC News Marketplace hidden cam- stay of of ‘people, actions, de. cisions, interactions and be- haviours; the systematic fon af era Meanwhile, deliberate erasure of Black history continues. Case in point: the of the 18th ly human activity." Yet, pro- gram material during Black History Month speaks little of current history. Indeed, current history of people of African descent in today's North America is routinely century farming communi- ty of Negro Creek still con- tinue their struggle of al- most 30 years. Negro Creek in Ontario's Grey County was made home by a pio- neer community of about 50 dren across all ethnic groups will be inspired by the historic triumphs of peoples of African descent, given the obstacles that had to be overcome to achieve ‘eatness. Meanwhile, Black History Month can and should address current history and those issues and systems that sustain in- equality, discrimination and racism. Mike Jarrett, author, publications editor and public relations consultant, is founder and editor-in- chief at PortsideCarib- bean.com. DIRECTORY, oud like to advertise y 1 Fiona frudderé ur place of worship in this feature armetrolandmedia.com or call 289-293-069 akville Pentecostal Apostolic Centre UNIT: GLEN ABBEY (URCH REV. TED VANCE OAKVILLE PENTECOSTAL APOSTOLIC CENTRE (St. Paul's United Church) Oakville, ON sunday Evenin: *Covid-19 Safety Protocols Strictly followed.* Tel: 416-892-8123 Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Bishop M. Brissett Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca JESUS IS LORD Sun 12:30 - 3PM Worship Service si 9: 7:30-9PM (Via Zoom Virtual Platform) Message: THE TEMPTATIONS! It’s your choice: WORSHIP LIVE AT 10AM! masks are now optional OR VIEW ON-LINE SERVICE ON YOUTUBE LATER Click on www. slenabboyunitedchurch. com To help your Church minister to so many, nd e-ransters to donations @glenabbeyunitedchurch.com Thank you and God Bless you! woo"uoy|EYyapIsUt