'There's a lot of education that needs to be done': Strong support for Black History Month flag raising in Chatham
A larger than usual crowd turned out for the Black History Month flag raising event in front of the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre on Wednesday.
The event was held to kick-off Black History Month celebrations across the municipality.
“To see the turnout here is amazing,” said Steven Cook, curator of the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History in Dresden. “We had people here from all walks of life and different businesses and few of the different churches here in the town as well. It's really, really encouraging to see that support that we had.”
According to Cook though, more education is key after several recent events.
“When we renamed our museum from Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, we soon were made aware that there's a lot of education that needs to be done because people just didn't understand the harm and the racial undertones in the name Uncle Tom. And similar with the Blackbird, the name of a baseball team that was dropped recently this week,” Cook explained.
“There's these racial undertones that unless people are made aware of it, they don't know how it's perceived within different communities and within the Black community. It really was words that hurt us and harmed us and we wanted to make sure that that change was brought about.”
He continued, “we really are impressed with how quickly and decisively the executive made the change for the name and we were going to work with them to hopefully bring about a name that's going to be welcoming and all-encompassing for the community.”
Cook encouraged residents and visitors to check out the Josiah Henson and Buxton National Historic Museum sites along with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum.
“I have to tell you, though, and this is probably a first that all three sites, we are fully booked for the month of February,” Cook said. “That's how strong the interest is that continues to grow and grow every year. So we do encourage people to come out to hear the history firsthand, because I'll challenge you that probably throughout the entirety of Canada, you're not going to find the same kind of Black representation that you'll find here in Chatham-Kent.”
“Historically, we have so many firsts that came right out of here in Chatham-Kent. So let's be proud of them and let's shine a light on it and let the world know what we have to offer.”
“Celebrate our history. Celebrate the future. Make people aware. Education is powerful,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff.
Caniff said he hadn’t seen that large of a crowd at a flag raising in a long time.
“I want people to get out and celebrate that history and learn about that history. Get out to the amazing places and events that we have planned over the next month.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.