Raymond Sheppard: In Nova Scotia the situation is even more dire. Over the years lip service has been given and that continues to be the case. Still, there are fewer than 20 Persons of African descent working in broadcast media and there are no public affairs shows for us, by us and about us.
Raymond Sheppard: As an African Nova Scotian elder I was pleased to see the CBC taking steps to embrace African Canadians and “diversity” in all its splendor after so many years. I hope “true and real diversity” becomes part of a new service delivery package. I also hope my excitement is not short-lived.
Raymond Sheppard nominates Eddie Carvery for African Nova Scotian of the year, and makes some wishes for 2021: Fire Chief Dan Kinsella, reparations, collect race-based data, a CBC that pays attention to the African Nova Scotian community and more.
An online roundtable discussion late last week asked the question how Nova Scotia media contributes to racism and oppression. Observations that came out of the discussion will be reflected in a document that can serve to educate and change Nova Scotia’s mainstream media for the better.
Did the media pull together to decide, or did each media outlet resolve on its own not to cover Friday afternoon’s demonstration in front of the CBC’s Halifax office? Judy Haiven on the persistent whiteness of the CBC.
Media release: To bring attention to the glaring gross insensitivity within CBC, Black Voices Matter will be holding a peaceful rally on September 25, 2020, at 2pm. This rally will take place at the CBC Atlantic Headquarters located at 6940 Mumford Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The CBC needs to commit to all voices of Canada, not just those with Eurocentric privilege. This year of 2020, should be the year that CBC dismantles the old guard and truly embraces proactive positive change that solidly respects African Canadians and First Nations.
The CBC generates revenue but is mostly funded by tax paying Canadians, including African Canadians. Nonetheless, the CBC has no national programs hosted by an African Canadian that deals with African Canadian culture, heritage and lineage. In fact, the CBC has only a handful of African Canadians employed across Canada, and even fewer in Atlantic Canada.