Interview with Maya Jazayeri by Jennifer Arnold, followed by Maya Jazayeri’s prize-winning essay, published here courtesy of the Halton Black History Awareness Society.
Maya Jazayeri, winner of the second annual Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) essay contest, found the theme of her winning essay as she was sitting in her Burlington Central High School science class.
When her teacher began talking about Edward Lorenz’s butterfly effect, it sparked something in Maya’s imagination. She had heard about HBHAS contest sometime before, but it was hearing about that idea, about nonlinear equations that describe the sensitivity of weather to initial conditions so that something tiny like a butterfly flapping its wings could have long-range effects, that inspired Maya to consider the same in terms of local Black history.
She brainstormed some ideas at home, looking for past local Black people whose actions had far-reaching consequences. Maya reflected on the fact that she had not learned of Black people’s contributions to Halton, further inspiring her to continue on in her project. Her love of research and considering the political side of social issues spurred her on as well.
While Maya had hoped to focus on Burlington’s Black history, information was scant — and where Burlington is mentioned, it tends to be tied to Oakville because of Oakville’s Underground Railroad links. A chance sighting of a book about Halton’s history gave her some information, and she continued in her research over the course of five months, structuring her essay around the actions of Oakville’s James Wesley Hill and Joe Wordsworth.
Of the insight she has gained into Halton’s Black history, Maya says, “I feel more responsible to continue to share [this knowledge] with peers and family, and motivate them to feel this curiousity to learn about the Black history of Halton — we’re living on land that has deep history and meaning, so we need to uncover that and acknowledge [it].”
Though only heading into grade 10, Maya already has big goals for her future: she’s always wanted to be a doctor, and also has that interest in politics (which has perhaps been stoked a bit more by her summertime internship with Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns). Advocacy and leadership are also important to Maya. She’d like to see local Black history covered in schools.
And as Maya says, “If I know this research and others around me may not, it’s my responsibility to share that information with others.” We agree. And with that in mind, we invite you to read Maya’s prize-winning essay, presented below, courtesy of the Halton Black History Awareness Society. Congratulations, Maya!
The Butterfly Effect: Unveiling Its Impact on Halton’s Black History
“The flapping of the wings of a butterfly can be felt on the other side of the world” (Lorenz, 1960), a simple theory deemed as the butterfly effect, which simply highlights the capability of small actions generating large changes.
Introduction
The butterfly theory, intricately derived from the prominent chaos theory, contends that even the most seemingly insignificant actions may have far-reaching repercussions.
Although this principle is often deemed as philosophically unethical, it holds great power in the context of Black history through the abundance of interwoven incidents, failed attempts of activism and solitary confinement for Black people, branching further than a month’s worth of
recognition. This essay aims to examine Canada’s black journey, specifically in the Halton region, through communal, societal and educational perspectives, while highlighting how seemingly minor occurrences have culminated into notable milestones for the Black community.
Historical significance
The colors of Black history were once deemed as the vibrant yet meaningful colors of black, red, and yellow, each signifying a major fragment of history. “Red is the color of the blood which men must shed for their redemption and liberty; black is the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong; green is the color of the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland, and the color yellow, derived from the Ethiopian flag symbolizes justice, optimism and equality” (Universal Negro Improvement Association).
The individual catalysts
Every story starts with individual catalysts, people who embody the spirit of positive change and sow the seeds of the process, and whose footprints leave behind energy, inspiration, and lifelong changes for the following generations. In the context of Black history, each and every death, conflict or racist comment has brought the Black community a step closer to reaching what seems like the untouchable finish line where liberty, pride, and unity are attained.
These unsung heroes and heroines not only served people in their historical timeline, but brought forth modern day policies as a result of their altruistic contributions.
During slavery in the 1800s and post-emancipation in the 1900s, Southern Ontario, specifically the less-concentrated Region of Halton, was inhabited by many Black slaves who fled to freedom and found Oakville, which was referred to as a “Safe Haven” for slaves fleeing from the United States.
“Conductor” James Wesley Hill, an extremely catalytic individual, not only made Oakville Canada’s one-time strawberry industry capital, but also provided job opportunities and support networks for newly-fled slaves entering the town of Oakville. Being born and raised in Maryland, Mr. Hill first arrived in Oakville through the Underground Railroad, and later
established a ripple effect, leading approximately 700–800 more African Americans back through the terminus underground railroad leading from the United States to Oakville.
Joe Wordsworth, another major catalyst for the Black community, is recorded as the first African American to establish his own official business in the town of Oakville, serving as a barber, hairdresser, and clothes cleaner. His official business advertisement in 1850 read: “Come one, or
come all, and all will go away pleased.” His courage and dignity at the time constructed a disseminating norm for Black people to run their own shops and businesses, showcasing their strengths while supporting the economic industry. The historical small town charm of Oakville would not have been existent to this day, without the many individuals who fought against the status quo.
Conclusion
While gazing at the Black history exhibitions remaining at the Oakville museum and curiously observing the exterior of the home built by “Canada Jim” (James Wesley Hill), still standing at 457 Maple Grove Street, I wondered: when will this absurd reality of colourism end? Have the
millions of Black deaths meant nothing in the process of revival? How much more does this community have to deal with to gain a well-deserved prerogative?
And simply, how many more butterfly wings need to flap, until this disseminating sequence is once and for all diminished from the norms of society?
By no means do I intend for the violations of Black history to be solely blamed on a specific group of people, nor do I intend to take away significance from the perseverance and courage of the Black community.
Every outcome is different, yet I chose to fashion Black history as moments of insanity and lack of humanity.
“Cycles exist because they are excruciating to break. It takes an astronomical amount of pain and courage to disrupt a familiar pattern. Sometimes it seems easier to just keep running in the same familiar circles, rather than facing the fear of jumping and possibly not landing on your feet” (Hoover, 2022).
Past Black generations went through it.
Black people today go through it.
It stops here.
With me and you.
It ends with us.
