We have been talking about it for decades, but Black kids still face huge barriers in Nova Scotia’s educational system. Wayne Desmond suggests more money for support workers and more funding for bursaries and scholarships could be a place to start addressing the achievement gap.
Raymond Sheppard: “Based on prolonged exposure to the effects of racism, intergenerational racism and poverty, I believe most African Canadians suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is part and parcel of the experiences of most in the African Canadian community.”
Resilient roots, an excellent new poem by Guyleigh Johnson.
I’m an African Nova Scotian
From sea to land and land to sea
There’s no way you can see Nova Scotia
And not see me
What will it take for Black Lives to Matter in Nova Scotia? The African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition, representing African Nova Scotian organizations across the province, joins the many concerned citizens who are calling for the sentencing of Shawn Wade Hynes without further delay.
Wayne Desmond looks at the delays in the conviction of Shawn Wade Hynes, who in a case that has racist overtones, shot his young co-worker Nhlanhla Dlamini with a high velocity nail gun. One and a half years have passed since the defendant was found guilty, and sentencing has been postponed several times. Meanwhile, the defendant’s life has not changed in any regard. He is able to continue his life as a “not guilty” individual.
Raymond Sheppard: We are proud of our culture, heritage and lineage. The strength, spirit, courage, resilience, faith, hope, indomitable spirit, perseverance, pride, dignity, respect and honor that is in us is our inheritance from Mother Africa.
It’s been 2.5 since a co-worker seriously injured Nhlanhla Dlamini with a nail gun, and 1.5 years since a guilty verdict was rendered, but the man found guilty still has not been sentenced. For Nhlanhla’s family and supporters that’s too long a wait. Justice must be served, and must be seen to be served.
Migrant workers in Canada have suffered tremendously during COVID-19. Throughout the past year, migrant workers across the country rallied and demanded permanent status for all as the solution to their exploitation.
Raymond Sheppard: Sisters and Brothers, in closing, we must never let others define us. We are beautiful and we are here.
Check out this week’s weekend video, featuring Angela Bowden reading two of her poems, “Black Boy Guilty” and “The Belly of the Beast.”