February is Black History and Liberation Month. This year’s theme—February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day—reminds us that Canadian history is Black history, which extends beyond a single month. Our liberation is written in the stars, as we exist in our strength, courage, grace and determination, afforded to us by our indominable Ancestors. We are rooted in a legacy of people who were, and still are, change makers, freedom fighters, social transformers, inventors, leaders, architects and astrologers.
As this month unfolds, we, as Committee members of the Halton African Black Caribbean Committee (HABCC), are anchored in the brilliance that is inherent to our Black identities. As the Halton Children’s Aid Society commits to actively and directly addressing anti-Black racism within its system and, by extension, the communities with which it works, may it also demonstrate affirming appreciation and value of our Black brilliance and contributions to building the Canadian nation state. In the tradition of our many cultures and ways of being, we call on everyone to honour those who paved the way for us, as well as our elders, beacons that keep our path lighted and transfer knowledge to our youth who carry our torch on the next leg of the journey. Join us in observation and celebration.
