By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
August is Emancipation Month in Burlington. It celebrates the anniversary of the month when slavery was outlawed throughout the British Empire, 190 years ago.
In honour of the celebration, the Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) hosted several events over the first weekend of the month to raise awareness of black history, art, and culture.
The festivities kicked off on August 1, Emancipation Day, with the fourth annual raising of the HBHAS flag at City Hall, which was attended by Burlington MP Karina Gould, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, HBHAS chair Dennis Scott, and Lisa Scott, HBHAS’ director of corporate and public relations, and sponsorship.
Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North-Burlington, was also scheduled to appear but was unable to attend and sent a staff member from her office on her behalf.
Lisa was the first to speak to the gathering outside City Hall and explained that Burlington was the first municipality in the world to officially designate August as Emancipation Month in 2018.
Dewitt Lee, chairman of Caretakers of our Culture, initiated and founded the August Emancipation Month acknowledgement.
Sharman spoke next and expressed his admiration for both Dennis and Lisa.
“You (Lisa) and Dennis have been an inspiration for me since the beginning of our relationship,” Sharman said.
Dennis was next to speak and thanked several individuals who have supported HBHAS over the years.
He also invited the winner and runner-up of the annual written narrative competition that HBHAS holds every year for high school students.
Scott explained that each participant gathers information about black history in Canada and incorporates elements of equality, diversity, and inclusion into their submission. HBHAS also started accepting video pieces for the competition as well this year.
“Not only did I learn from history that influences today’s culture and affects my life and the lives of others, I know more about the people close to me and was able to hold deep conversations about topics that may not have been brought up otherwise,” the first-place winner, Devi Alleyne-Omkaroe, said.
Gould spoke next, and remarked on the significance of the flag in her own words.
“So as we raise the flag today, let it be a symbol of our shared commitment to justice and equality,” Gould said. “Let it remind us of the progress we have made and the work that remains, and let it inspire us to continue to fight for a world where freedom and dignity are not just ideals, but realities for all of us.”
Lee then spoke and explained the symbolism of the flag, including the fact that black, red, and green are the official colours of the African Race.
“Red is the colour of the blood, which men must shed for the redemption of liberty,” Lee said. “Black is the colour of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong, and green is for the luxuriant vegetation of our motherland.”
The event then wrapped up with the flag raising itself.
Later on, the same day, HBHAS held an Emancipation Month Celebration Kickoff at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Shelley Hamilton acted as emcee for the event, which included music, food, and a selection of speakers who discussed both the work that HBHAS has done, as well as topics surrounding the Black experience in Canada. The music included a live performance by the Jamaican-born and Toronto-based musician Errol Blackwood.
On August 2, HBHAS hosted the Halton Freedom Celebration Festival at Spencer Smith Park, which featured blues and R&B music, as well as various food trucks. There were local vendors, like Stella By Design, with her hand-sewn pillowcases and hair bonnets, and others from further afield, like Dryanke Fashions, with West African baskets, fans, and jewellery, and Kingdom Kush Clothing, selling books and t-shirts celebrating emancipation and Black culture.
Attendees were encouraged to bring donations for the Burlington Food Bank, which had a booth and donation bin set up on site.
Another part of the Emancipation Month celebration is the annual Emancipation Art Exhibition, which has been held for the last seven years.
Francesca Durham, the project curator of the exhibition, explained how the selection process for the artists and their pieces works.
“This is a juried art exhibition,” Durham said. “With a four-person juried panel, we start the process with a call to artists that happened in March. Once all are received, the panellists spend an afternoon reviewing artists’ statements based on freedom, and what freedom means to them and why it’s important to recognize it on Emancipation Day. Artists selected to participate are asked to submit one to five pieces of their work, which is evaluated by the jury before final selections are made.”
Durham also said that the exhibition offers many things to both BIPOC and non-BIPOC folk alike.
“For BIPOC individuals, the exhibition provides a space to celebrate and honour the rich cultural heritage, identity, and contributions of BIPOC communities,” Durham said. “Seeing their history, stories, and achievements represented in art can be empowering and affirming. The exhibition fosters a sense of community and solidarity among BIPOC individuals, providing opportunities for networking and mutual support.
“For non-Black individuals, the exhibition serves as an educational experience, offering insights into the historical and contemporary experiences of BIPOC communities,” Durham said. “Exposure to diverse artistic expressions and cultural narratives can enhance appreciation and respect for BIPOC cultures. It encourages reflection on issues of race, privilege, and systemic inequalities, promoting meaningful dialogue building trust.”
Durham also reflected on the flag-raising and the gala.
“The event brought together people from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and solidarity,” Durham said. “Raising the flag symbolizes pride, recognition, and respect for the history and contributions of Black Canadians, which can be very moving. Both events educate attendees about the significance of emancipation and the history of Black Canadians. Hearing from community leaders and activists, like Dewitt Lee, and artists can be inspiring and motivational, encouraging further engagement and advocacy.”
Emancipation Month is currently ongoing in Burlington and will culminate with the National Day for People of African Descent on August 31.
