Knowledge is power: it’s our time to listen

The Niagara region has a rich history full of momentous achievements by Black Canadians. Their contributions have helped make Canada the compassionate and culturally diverse nation it is known as today. While progress has been made towards equity for Black communities in North America, we are consistently reminded that there is much more work to be done.

Black History Month asks us to reflect on important cultural moments, for example, the significant role Niagara played in the legendary Underground Railroad, printing the Upper Canada’s 1793 Act Against Slavery, or founding the Niagara Movement – an organization calling for civil and political rights for African Americans. Focused on combating racial discrimination and segregation, the Niagara Movement served as a forerunner to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the civil rights movement. In this regard, there is a lot for Niagara to be proud of.

However, while our past successes deserve to be celebrated, we need to recognize that our story continues. How we act to push forward the progress that has been made towards equity for Black Canadians today will eventually become an important part of our region’s heritage. Many members of the Black community still face oppression today and their voices must be heard.

Evidence strongly suggests that marginalized groups, including the Black community, are still facing overwhelming discrimination, poverty, racism and isolation.

Putting the situation in 2022 into perspective, Niagara saw an influx of 1,538 asylum seekers from all over the world, including a large percentage from Africa, last fall. Of course, the first barrier many refugees experience is that many aren’t fluent in English. As if that challenge wasn’t enough, the fact that people fleeing other parts of the world for their family’s safety must now suffer racism and discrimination is unacceptable.

Evidence strongly suggests that marginalized groups, including the Black community, are still facing overwhelming discrimination, poverty, racism and isolation. According to a 2019 survey on Canadians’ Safety, nearly half of Black people over 15 years old reported experiencing discrimination in some form in the previous five years. The idea of anyone facing racism in Canada is inexcusable – to further learn that nearly half of Black Canadians report that they have experienced it is unacceptable. It’s a problem that we must work together to improve.

United Way reached out to community partner, the Niagara African Caribbean Cultural Organization (NACCO), to hear about some of the issues facing Black communities today. Ola is the founder and president of NACCO, a small organization formed five years ago in response to her experience as a refugee in Niagara. When Ola arrived seven years ago in Canada, she found there was no easy way to find supports as a Black refugee.

Story after story was shared about blatant racism, discrimination and ignorance from those sitting around the table, their friends and other refugees. To say this experience was heartbreaking may be putting things lightly.

Sitting down in Ola’s cozy African Market and restaurant, it was clear that she still bore the scars of many injustices experienced right here in Niagara. Story after story was shared about blatant racism, discrimination and ignorance from those sitting around the table, their friends and other refugees. To say this experience was heartbreaking may be putting things lightly.

NACCO founder and three board members stand in the Chrispy African market kitchen by dry food rack.

Founder of NACCO, Ola (front left) with husband Terry (back left) and fellow NACCO board members.

As a community, and as a country, we share the responsibility and the opportunity to make meaningful change. We need to be allies to the Black