I wish those around me, even the Black people, were educated on the robust history of Black people.
Learning
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Black History Month. I love that it provides space for Black people like me to express our cultures and highlight important (and many times, tragic) events in our histories. Though, on the other hand, I also recognize that it is viewed as the only time Black people are relevant in society. Many see Black History Month as the one and only time issues and experiences pertaining to Black people should be discussed. When people participate in Black History Month, they oftentimes see it as an “out” on acknowledging Black topics throughout the rest of the year.
The first time I was introduced to Black History Month was in middle school, when my guidance counsellor (who was Black) asked me to participate in the school assembly. I knew the only reason she asked me was because I was Black, as there were only a few of us at the school. She wanted us to “represent our own.” Around the same time I was asked to present, I was struggling with my identity as a Black person. While both of my parents are Black, they grew up in England, meaning that many aspects of their culture resembled that of White Europeans. So, while helping out with the assembly, my mind was opened to a new definition of what it meant to be Black. As I learned about the history and traditions of different Black people around the world, I found it more difficult to classify myself as the same thing. How could I be Black if I didn’t eat Jamaican food? How could I be Black if I didn’t listen to R&B music? How could I be Black if I didn’t understand Patois? All of these questions churned in my head as I tried to pinpoint what “being Black” really meant.
Fast forward to high school—my identity issues became more complicated. I went from a school where I was the only Black girl student in the grade to being one of many Black people in the same class. At first, I was excited that I’d finally have people I could connect with on a deeper level, though I quickly realized that wasn’t the case. Being very European in nature, many of my Black peers didn’t recognize me as Black. On many occasions people would say, “Jonisha, you’re a White person in a Black person’s body,” or something along those lines. In the beginning, I’d laugh their comments away, though as time passed, their words started to affect me more, and I genuinely questioned my identity. Honestly, I still do at times.
I wish those around me, even the Black people, were educated on the robust history of Black people. I wish it was emphasized that “Black” really is just a skin tone, though society (and the effects of colonization) has associated “Blackness” with specific traits. Society has created a staple definition of what a Black person is and has deemed anyone who lies outside of that definition as an outcast. We see this all the time when it comes to biracial people who grow up in environments where they are not accepted by either of their racial identity communities, which honestly is a whole other conversation.
For the longest time, I hated being Black, and that was mostly to do with the fact that I never saw myself represented in the places that I wanted to be in. All throughout school I was fed the narrative that Canada is one of the most diverse and accepting places on the planet. Yet, when I opened my textbook, I rarely ever saw any Black people (or other people of colour) in it. How can a nation preach diversity when they refuse to acknowledge the diversity of their country?
It’s not enough to have Black History Month. People use Black History Month as a way to avoid the real problems that affect Black people. While Black History Month is a great tool for amplifying the voices of Black people, it is not enough to change the way the world views Black people. Western society has conditioned us to believe that White is the default. And when we truly believe that, everything that people of colour contribute to the world is either taken for granted, stolen, or eradicated.
As much as I wish there wasn’t a need for Black History Month, I appreciate the fact that it allows Black people to speak freely about our stories, and our histories, unapologetically. I’m tired of hearing my truth being told through someone else’s views.
It took a while, but now I’m ready. So, hand me the mic. I got a lot to say.
Faith Reflection
Please pray with me:
Dear God, I pray that with every day that passes you remind me of the beauty in my uniqueness. I pray that on the days I forget or find it difficult to remember to love myself, you hold me tight and preach to me self-love. I pray that on days I struggle to look at myself and recognize my beauty that you open me to all the wondrous things that make me me. And dear God, I thank you for your grace, kindness, and everlasting love as it is what drives me to ignite that beauty in others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Living It Out
Action Items
- Reflect on your own biases (whether they come from a point of internalized racism or projected racism). Make a list of things that you believe to be true about people different from you, and think carefully about where those beliefs originated. Are they passed-down beliefs? Are they based on a particular bad experience? Are they based on media you consume? After making this list, and then going back out into the world, alter your perception; be more observant of those you hold beliefs about. Notice how the people around you challenge those beliefs (or maybe reinforce them). But also notice how people of your race/ethnicity/etc. challenge and reinforce those same beliefs. Over time you will notice that these stereotypes that we attribute to certain types of people live within all ethnic groups and are not exclusive to just one.
- Find ways to engage in content (that you usually enjoy) created by Indigenous and racialized peoples. For example, if you love to read, try reading a book from your favourite genre written by someone who is Indigenous or racialized (a great place to start is The FOLD—they provide reading lists featuring marginalized and racialized authors). Another example could be, if you are a dancer, to learn about an Indigenous or racialized dance style.
- Compliment others on their unique beauty. Many beauty standards are rooted in colonialism, so many things that Indigenous or racialized people consider beautiful are not to the wider society. For that reason, it is crucial that we establish spaces in which Indigenous or racialized people feel safe to express themselves through their hair styles and clothing without being discriminated against. So, for example, when you are complimenting a Black person on their hair, be mindful that you’re not just doing it when they have Eurocentric hair styles (straight hair) or physical features (such as blue eyes). Brown eyes and box braids are just as beautiful!
—Jonisha Lewinson (she/her) is a British-Canadian writer, activist, and aspiring entrepreneur. Her love for writing and social justice has led her to participate in The United Church of Canada’s Young Black Scholars Program as well as to develop their Anti-Racism for Youth curriculum. Since graduating from Sheridan College’s Creative Writing and Publishing Program, she has been working at the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) as their interim Communications Coordinator.
A version of this article originally appeared as a blog for Black History Month 2023.
The views contained within these blogs are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of The United Church of Canada.