Black History Month

Written by Jessica Brown

February 16th, 2024

Every year in February, Canadians celebrate Black History Month to honour and remember all the ways that Black Canadians have contributed to Canada’s history and culture. Black History Month was originated in the United States by Carter G. Woodson, who was given the name "Father of Black History." In 1926, Woodson had a desire to promote and educate communities about Black history and culture. Woodson envisioned having a weeklong celebration where public schools are encouraged to give lessons on Black history in public schools. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, have also taken part in this celebration. 

In 1979, Toronto became the city in Canada celebrating Black History Month through the efforts of many individuals and organizations such as the Ontario Black History Society. The city of Toronto uses this month as an opportunity to recognize the contributions Black Canadians make to Toronto communities, such as, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic development, politics, and human rights. This year’s theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build.”  This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future. 

In 2013, the Black Lives Matter movement was created by three Black women - Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. This political movement originated as a result of the death of Trayvon Martin back in 2012. BLM started on social media with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. The movement began to grow more in 2014 after the deaths of Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in New York.  Black Lives Matter has now been established as a worldwide movement, particularly after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, MN.  

According to the Black Lives Matter website, they were "founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer.  Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.  By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives."

Many artists in the music industry have shown their support for the movement as well. Some of those artists include: Jay-Z, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Tyler, the Creator, and much more. Each of these artists made their own statements about the movement in 2020 after the death of George Floyd. Other artists participated in the street protests in their local communities and donated to relevant organizations, to show their support of the movement.

There are many ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Some of the things you can do include donating to causes that need funding, exercising your vote, showing solidarity on social media, educating yourself on the topic, supporting Black creators and businesses, and signing petitions.