Activist and poet Angela Bowden reflects on the urgent need to start talking about reparations to the Black community in Nova Scotia. “The evidence and framework for reparations is already embedded in the wisdom and trauma of our elders and our youth, we require all of you to get this job done,” she writes.
Writer and activist Angela Bowden bares her soul as she speaks of the protection mechanisms invoked by Black women for centuries to survive a racist and hostile environment. But at what cost?
Angela Bowden read this terrific poem at the rally in support of Santina Rao, the young mother falsely accused of shoplifting at the Mumford Road Walmart and violently arrested by four police officers in front of her little children.
“If ever there was a case that was cut and dry this is it. If the Nova Scotia Justice system fails Nhlanhla in their decision and do not hold Nhlahla’s abuser accountable for the damage his crimes have caused it will be a significant miscarriage of justice in our province.”
Angela (Angee) Bowden reflects on 400 years of slavery and the upcoming trial of Shawn Hynes, accused of shooting a high velocity nail gun at his Black fellow worker Nhlanhla Dlamini.
A poem by Angela “Angee” Bowden, to remember that this month 400 years ago slaves first arrived in North America.
When the past is my present
And my scars still remain
And our lives still don’t matter
I am living in that pain
Angela Bowden went to the NCA counter rally in Halifax this Saturday, and she has some questions for the police. “The facts are that while the soldiers of Odin and NCA take up as much space as they please, our sons cannot walk in a group larger than three without the police taking their threat to public safety serious enough to street check them,” she writes.
A spoken word piece Angee Bowden performed yesterday at the rally against racism in downtown Halifax.
Angela Bowden on growing up Black in Nova Scotia. “You do not belong here” became the name of the unfamiliar place where I lived, churning my stomach for as long as I can remember. It was as if I had arrived on a foreign planet and even though I spoke the language of its inhabitants, it still felt forced, unnatural, uncomfortable and entirely unfamiliar.”
Angela Bowden remembers growing up Black in rural Nova Scotia, and reflects on the enduring damage done by abusive police practices over the generations. “I vividly recall, as do many of my peer group, police officers slowly driving by us numerous times, following us as we walk, asking us our names, where we are going, where we are coming from, and who our parents were.”
Kinda hate, a poem by activist and spoken word artist Angela (Angee) Bowden.