Emancipation Month is a time of healing, unification and restoration in Canada

BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been over six years since August 1^st, has been recognized as Emancipation Day in Canada. This is the day that marked the anniversary of the Slavery Abolition Act, which came into effect in all British colonies in 1834. In Ontario, it gained recognition in 2008, and in March 2021, that MPs in the House of Commons voted to recognize it in Canada. Dewitt Lee III, Founder, and Chairman of Emancipation Month have been instrumental in pushing the province to go beyond just a day and recognizing the entire month of August as Emancipation Month.

It was mainly through his work and several MPPs in the Ontario Legislature such as: Mitzie Hunter, Laura Mae Lindo, Andrea Khanjin and Mike Schreiner that on December 9^th, 2021, Ontario passed Bill 75. Emancipation Month is a time of healing, unification and restoration. It is about eliminating discrimination, by continuing to educate and advance the importance of racial equity across the province. Emancipation Month will help build a more inclusive province, where everyone is treated with fairness, respect, and dignity.

In the City of Toronto, the Black Liberation flag was raised to mark the start of Emancipation Month and Mayor John Tory was on hand. He states, “This month, as we reflect upon the ongoing global efforts to abolish slavery’s legacies. It is critical that we all acknowledge the persistent impact of colonial legacies, and the unwavering spirit of resistance and targeted universalism that continues to fuel the complete liberation of African-Canadians.” Over the month of August, there have been several events, activities, and occurrences that recognize the contributions, success, and strengths of Black Canadians.

On Wednesday, August 31^st, 2022, a closing ceremony was held at Queen’s Park. It is fitting that this day is also the last day of Emancipation Month. The mission is to: unite, empower and mobilize people of African descent around the world to find our: common bonds, common destiny, and our own ‘commonwealth.’

I spoke with Dewitt Lee on Sunday, September 4^th, 2022, and he updated me on details about the closing ceremony. He told me that Jean Augustine, as well as MPPs Jill Andrew and Mitzie Hunter were present, and the former president of the Ontario Black History Society helped to raise the flag. In attendance, were recipients of the Marcus Garvey Leadership Awards, many official dignitaries, officials and community individuals.

Dewitt mentioned that the conversation continues, as September is the month of Independence. He states, “We are encouraging everyone to find their family. We are encouraging them to do a DNA test.” This would help individuals to trace their family lineage and connect their roots to Africa, the motherland, and the origin of civilization.

On August 31^st, 2022, Dewitt Lee spoke to the community via Facebook, “Today, I held in my hands the signed and approved Bill 75, which I requested and co-authored to make August forever @Emancipationmonth in Ontario. The process of this bill shocked the world, but that’s what God will do when you are in his will. The amount of fight and fright I had to overcome with faith is a Hollywood production in the making and I know exactly from the town who will be filming it!”