The York Catholic District School Board would like to share this information from the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA). NACCA invites the community to participate in its Black History Month events and activities.
This Black History Month, NACCA explores the theme: Leadership and Allyship
“Ignorance of each other is what has made unity impossible in the past. Once we have more knowledge […] about each other, we will stop condemning each other and a united front will be brought about.”
Malcolm X
During the past two years, racial injustice has been on full visual display both profoundly and gut wrenchingly. It has galvanized the world to stand up in outrage. It has also made us look introspectively at the foundations of our economic, political, cultural and social structures to examine and address systemic injustices. To some degree, there has been an organic meeting of minds across age, gender, class, race and culture.
This is all occurring during the period, 2015-2024, which the United Nations declared as the Decade for People of African Descent. The declaration is an important step in the international community, recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.
After the outrage, what’s next? Platitudes are not enough, the outrage we witnessed must not be allowed to wither and become a thing of the past – instead it must be harnessed to create tangible change through a shifting of consciousness and concrete action to dismantle the structures that have allowed anti-Black racism to survive and thrive for so long.
The spotlight on the historical and continued systemic injustices faced by the Black community has awoken a desire to do something in many community members who want to do more, but may not know how. Antiracism work requires bold leadership and allyship. Now is the time to Get Up, Stand Up for meaningful and lasting change.
Get up! Stand up! There is Power in Unity
Dismantling anti Black Racism requires action, accountability and leadership. Participation is necessary and support is required to amplify equity denied voices.
Here are a few critical questions to ask and discuss in our conversations this Black History Month and beyond:
- What does it mean to be an ally?
- How do I show up as an active ally?
- Am I committed and doing the work?
- Am I following and taking guidance from Black/Indigenous leadership?
- Do I participate in tokenism/ White saviourism?
- How do I pour into the work of dismantling systemic racism?
- What are lifelong ways to commit to anti-racism work?
Get up! Stand up! There is Power in Unity
Join NACCA this Black History Month as they explore allyship and leadership. Dismantling anti-Black racism requires action, accountability and leadership. Now is the time to Get Up, Stand Up for meaningful and lasting change.
#BHM22getupstandup
Get up! Stand up! There is Power in Unity
Join NACCA for these free virtual activities and support Black-owned businesses at the virtual Ujamaa Marketplace.
#BHM22getupstandup
