Semaji Black Community Resource Centre

Supporting Youth, Building Communities, A Holistic Approach Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015

Inside This Issue

2 A Word From The President

3 YOUTH -Standing on Their Shoulders

4 YOUTH -Meet the Participants!!

5 COMMUNITY -The In uence of Little Burgundy on the Development of English-Speaking Black Happy

6 HISTORY -Following the Roots Holidays!! 7 LEISURE CLUB -Cozy up with these Winter Reads!!! -Stay Tuned for these Movies!!!

The In uence of Little Burgundy on the Development of English Speaking Black Montreal By Dr. Clarence Bayne Presently, the area of Little history of English speaking Blacks in cance. One such event was the Burgundy is located in the Montreal extend well beyond the Caribbean style street Carnival. It Sud-Ouest Borough of Montreal. The geographic and civic boundaries of rst took place in Little Burgundy in marks the boundary Little Burgundy. This can be seen 1972, which was the 65th Anniver- where St-Henri ends and Little through the , sary of the Union United Church. Burgundy begins. From there, it the NCC, the Sir George Williams Although it was sponsored by the stretches to Mountain Street in the Crisis, and the Negro Theatre Guild. Union United Church, the English east and is delineated by the Caribbean speaking immigrant to the south and In the late sixties-early seventies, the communities also collaborated. It Saint-Antoine in the north. Although radical Black student leaders came was a plan by Reverend Gabourel, Notre Dame West functions as the to the Union United Church himself an immigrant from Jamaica, neighbourhood’s main artery, for basement to promote their “revolu- to attract new Black immigrants the Black community St Antoine tionary” strategies and seek support from the Caribbean and the diverse Street was a centre of Black life and from the resident and rapidly cultures of the Black Diaspora to the culture. However, it would be a emerging immigrant Black commu- fold of the Union United Church mistake, indeed impossible, to draw nity leadership. One such leader was (Maranda Moses, Proud Past: Bright lines around some territory, like the spiritual head of the Black Futures). Little Burgundy, or dene its social Community of “Little Burgundy”: and economic growth and develop- Reverend Charles Este. Later, in the mid-seventies, the ment as embodying all the relevant Negro Community Center (NCC), history of English Speaking Blacks in The UUC also went on to sponsor located in the heart of Little Montreal. The signicance and other events of historical signi- Continued on Page 5

the support of Sir George Williams Fine Arts (specically Norma Springford) and Professor Bayne (Commerce and Administration, Concordia University) the Negro Theatre Guild facilitated the use of space over extended periods of time at Sir George University for the rehearsal and production of plays and cultural events, and meetings of Black community organizations. Professor Roland Wills played a major role in helping to resolve the con ict Burgundy, became the place chosen by the young, immi- between the students and the Administration during and after grant scholars of the sixties and seventies from which to the Sir George Williams Crisis. He also carried out signicant launch the Black Community Council of and its fundraising among his colleagues at Sir George Williams Univer- outreach programs. These programs were based on new sity to support programs in the English speaking Black commu- social approaches to Black Community development and a nity and to nance building repairs at the NCC. As part of the determination to reposition the Black Community on the transition (late sixties to early seventies) of NCC from an organiza- evolving tness Landscape of Montreal. It was from within tion with a signicant White governance body and presence to a NCC that the Pan-Black movement of the English speaking Black governance and management, Professor Roland Wills acted Black Community was born, and expanded into NDG, as the Black Father Christmas for the NCC Christmas holiday LaSalle, , Cote des Neiges, LaVal, the South Shore community celebration. This was part of a social strategy of and, through its full participation in the National Black empowerment to raise the self-esteem and pride of Black Coalition of , on to the larger Canadian canvass. The children in Little Burgundy and the surrounding territories. It was Sir George Williams Crisis also gave urgency to that devel- during those transition years of the late sixties and early seventies opment. But essentially this movement was well on the way that Professor Clarence Bayne, along with a team of Black McGill before the Sir George William Crisis erupted from the and Sir George William graduates, became a member of the University Campus and became a lightning rod for change Board of Directors of NCC. It was also during that transition in the University and the City. period that Carl Whittaker, a Sir George William sociology gradu- ate, proposed and got the Board’s acceptance to launch what he NCC was also responsible for bringing the English speaking described as the “Comunaulogy” approach to community Black immigrant communities and the Canadian born development. It was essentially a Pan-Black approach to organiz- Blacks together, not as Islanders, feminists, ideologists, or ing and managing the diversities in the Black community towards members of any specic spiritual denomination, but as a broadly dened self-autonomy within a Federal multicultural Blacks to engage in a struggle to end the exclusion of Blacks Canadian citizenship. This ushered in a period of Black unity from the social, political and economic decision making among its leadership voices and social in uence in Montreal and processes of Montreal and Canada. To accomplish this, the Canada that lasted from 1974 to 2000, and which has not been new leadership, who lived mostly outside the physical experienced since. boundaries of Little Burgundy, set up a network of organiza- tions that together with specialist community based It is in this larger context that the history of the English Speaking organizations (BSC, QBBE, BTW, the Victor Phillips Organiza- Blacks of Little Burgundy must be understood. And to get a sense tion for the Welfare and Development of the Black Children, of its importance and social and historical vitality we must follow etc) linked Blacks throughout the Island of Montreal. These the tentacle of its in uences through its exemplars out into the Black Community Associations formed the core agencies of far reaches of the surrounding areas on the Island of Montreal the Black Community Council of Quebec. and beyond the boundaries of Quebec. I speak of the contribu- tions of and to the distinctiveness of There is also a link between the history of Black Montreal Canada’s contribution to World Jazz; the way that Rockhead and Sir George Williams University that needs to be Paradise connected Montrealers and the English speaking Blacks, explored. It is a connection which was dramatized by the Sir immigrant and Canadian born, to the Black legends of the new George William crisis in 1969. But it was operating through music cultures that have reshaped many Western and American the presence and the activism of Clarence Bayne cultures; and the in uence of the Coloured Women’s Club that (https://vimeo.com/74153552), Richard Leslie, Dorothy extended throughout the Island and into the rest of Canada (the Wills, and a group of students (Carl Whittaker, Winston Black Women’s Congress). I am talking of the role that the Union Nicholls, Don McFee, Kenny Knights) that worked with the United Church and the NCC played in the creation of new Montreal Citizen Association to publish the Magazine: dynamic Black institutions in Montreal as a whole. These two Expression. “Expression” became an important Black institutions tied the diversities of the English speaking Black academic voice in the Community and in the discourse communities of Montreal together. They embodied the soul and around the Sir George William Crisis (Special Conference memories of the early Black Montreal Community. Issue, Winter 1968), and the Black dialogue on Black liberation and development in Montreal and Canada.

The Negro Theatre Guild also has a role in the Sir George Williams Crisis. Under Victor Phillips Directorship and the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Committee, later BTW, and with Presently, the area of Little history of English speaking Blacks in cance. One such event was the Burgundy is located in the Montreal extend well beyond the Caribbean style street Carnival. It Sud-Ouest Borough of Montreal. The geographic and civic boundaries of rst took place in Little Burgundy in Atwater Market marks the boundary Little Burgundy. This can be seen 1972, which was the 65th Anniver- where St-Henri ends and Little through the Union United Church, sary of the Union United Church. Burgundy begins. From there, it the NCC, the Sir George Williams Although it was sponsored by the stretches to Mountain Street in the Crisis, and the Negro Theatre Guild. Union United Church, the English east and is delineated by the Caribbean speaking immigrant Lachine Canal to the south and In the late sixties-early seventies, the communities also collaborated. It Saint-Antoine in the north. Although radical Black student leaders came was a plan by Reverend Gabourel, Notre Dame West functions as the to the Union United Church himself an immigrant from Jamaica, neighbourhood’s main artery, for basement to promote their “revolu- to attract new Black immigrants the Black community St Antoine tionary” strategies and seek support from the Caribbean and the diverse Street was a centre of Black life and from the resident and rapidly cultures of the Black Diaspora to the culture. However, it would be a emerging immigrant Black commu- fold of the Union United Church mistake, indeed impossible, to draw nity leadership. One such leader was (Maranda Moses, Proud Past: Bright lines around some territory, like the spiritual head of the Black Futures). Little Burgundy, or dene its social Community of “Little Burgundy”: and economic growth and develop- Reverend Charles Este. Later, in the mid-seventies, the ment as embodying all the relevant Negro Community Center (NCC), history of English Speaking Blacks in The UUC also went on to sponsor located in the heart of Little Montreal. The signicance and other events of historical signi-

2 Semaji Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015 A Word From The President 10 Million For Christmas: Giving and Reasons for Giving By Dr. Clarence Bayne Semaji Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015 collaboration. Human beings in a landscape act to preserve life, to perpetuate it and to evolve as a species over time. The funda- mental human objective is to increase longevity, the number of their species, the Editor Ashlie Bienvenu I am prompted to write this as a response quality of life, and spiritual existence over to some reaction to “givings” by two time into the indenite future. Black sport personalities from the English Contributors Dr. Clarence Bayne speaking Black Community of Montreal. Groups when faced with a common enemy Standing on Their Shoulders The rst has to do with an abusive attack tend to collaborate when collaboration Ashlie Bienvenu on the Erene Anthony Family for an oers the opportunity for the survival of the alleged gift that was given to Selwyn group and the members of the group. In a Photos Standing on Their Shoulders House; although, in reality, this gift was nation state, as belief systems approach REISA initiated by Andre Demarais and patrons states which guarantee security and greater Layout/Design Ashlie Bienvenu of the Selwyn House on behalf of the tness to a larger number of cultural and Anthony Family. The second has to do kinship groups, loyalties to the institutions with an under-current of negative responsible for improving increased tness criticism from both the Black and larger grow stronger among the dierent cultural Montreal community relating to PK and kinship groups. It should not be Suban’s gift of ten million dollars to the surprising therefore that Blacks would Montreal Children’s Hospital. Considering donate to hospitals that preserve and BCRC the use that my family, and so many of perpetuate lives. 6767 Côte-des-Neiges, Suite 497 my friends and their families, have made Montréal, Québec, H3S 2T6 of the children’s hospital, I say to Suban, Giving is a form of sharing, a social entrepre- Tel: (514) 342-2247 “Thank you PK. Thank you for underlining neurial act, and, at the same time, selsh Fax: (514) 342-2283 the fact that the Black Community is an and social. By denition it has to be so for it [email protected] equal participating partner in the is motivated by the intelligent strategy www.bcrcmontreal.com creation of a more healthy society.” We which shows that the life of the individual have been contributing for an incredibly can be extended and protected by preserv- long time in many dierent ways; but, as ing and protective the collective. It is selsh Kevin, from his seat in the Dragon Den, in the sense that we have come to realize How do I submit articles to be submitted to would have said, “the money talks.” that our individual chances for survival, the our quarterly Semaji newsletter? Articles for However, as we see from these previous perpetuation and improvement in the submission are accepted 30 days prior to examples, even money does not quite quality of life increases when we share publication. Issues are published September, information and the surpluses of our December, March and June. Email set one free. [email protected]. If you are creative abilities. So we have a vested and submitting photos please send a jpeg with credit. There have been responses to this personal interest in sharing. It is social in the propensity for negative criticism coming sense that we are capable of empathy and How do I add/remove my Semaji subscrip- from some unexpected sources, but it is, love. Being capable of love, we can care tion? Send an email to [email protected] nevertheless, appreciated and about the preservation and wellbeing of requesting or removing subscription. Please put in subject line “Add” or “Remove”. Changes to welcomed. However, what I want to do other lives and the preservation of the earth. subscription will be done within 48hrs. here is to appeal to the rational conscious. We are agents in an environ- But, it is also clear that giving is spiritual. It ment, interacting between ourselves and has to do with the sense of being associated our environments. The incredible thing with acts that are seen as elevating the If you have any comments or requests please about these multiple interactions is that human spirit above its material existence, as contact Ashlie Bienvenu at they cause the environment to change well as the creation of a legacy that extends [email protected] and in turn the agents adapt or change our lives through the collective spirit of the in some unpredictable way. Then we society long after the death of our physical interact in response to the changes in the and material self. I refer to this as purchas- environment in perpetuity. The world ing one’s ticket to heaven in a blazing around including us is in constant chariot of glory. However, just as the multi-directional change. In this importance of the widow’s mite as a constantly evolving non-linear system, valuable social act should not be human agents have the advantage and discounted, similarly, the importance of capability of thought and innovative altruism of the wealthy as a motive for action. We are capable of learning by giving should not be downgraded. There action and re ection. In addition, we are are rich people who are altruistic in their social and cultural agents capable of Continued on Page 3....

giving.

There are also economic principles underlying giving that explain how one might go about deciding to give to one cause and not another. The overall objective would be to maximize the benets over the collectivity in a socially cohesive manner. I think it is not dicult to imagine that a general rule could be that one should distribute one’s surpluses such that the greatest good is done for the greatest number of persons. I do not think that we could be justiably critical of a social allocation of surpluses in which the intent was just that; and if, in fact, the benets of that allocation could be evaluated to have been socially equitable, inclusive and cohesive. I think that the Children’s hospital of Montreal would qualify as such a cause for “giving”.

Finally the argument that such gifts are simply an attempt to dodge taxes is simplistic. The policy of tax exemptions for giving allows the donor the freedom to pick an appropriate cause, as opposed to having bureaucrats in the public sector and elected politicians decide on or select our causes for us. For what is not given is either taxed away or disappears unseen by the “Revenue Agency” or the general social collective. Governments also recognize that the private individual has legitimate priorities and preferences that dier from those of govern- ment distributive agencies. Accordingly, they respect those rights by exemption clauses in their tax laws. It follows that it is the right of every free being to distribute some of his or her surplus earnings as he or she believes to be most optimal socially, not according to loyalties imposed socially or otherwise.

the support of Sir George Williams Fine Arts (specically Norma Springford) and Professor Bayne (Commerce and Administration, Concordia University) the Negro Theatre Guild facilitated the use of space over extended periods of time at Sir George University for the rehearsal and production of plays and cultural events, and meetings of Black community organizations. Professor Roland Wills played a major role in helping to resolve the con ict Burgundy, became the place chosen by the young, immi- between the students and the Administration during and after grant scholars of the sixties and seventies from which to the Sir George Williams Crisis. He also carried out signicant launch the Black Community Council of Quebec and its fundraising among his colleagues at Sir George Williams Univer- outreach programs. These programs were based on new sity to support programs in the English speaking Black commu- social approaches to Black Community development and a nity and to nance building repairs at the NCC. As part of the determination to reposition the Black Community on the transition (late sixties to early seventies) of NCC from an organiza- evolving tness Landscape of Montreal. It was from within tion with a signicant White governance body and presence to a NCC that the Pan-Black movement of the English speaking Black governance and management, Professor Roland Wills acted Black Community was born, and expanded into NDG, as the Black Father Christmas for the NCC Christmas holiday LaSalle, West Island, Cote des Neiges, LaVal, the South Shore community celebration. This was part of a social strategy of and, through its full participation in the National Black empowerment to raise the self-esteem and pride of Black Coalition of Canada, on to the larger Canadian canvass. The children in Little Burgundy and the surrounding territories. It was Sir George Williams Crisis also gave urgency to that devel- during those transition years of the late sixties and early seventies opment. But essentially this movement was well on the way that Professor Clarence Bayne, along with a team of Black McGill before the Sir George William Crisis erupted from the and Sir George William graduates, became a member of the University Campus and became a lightning rod for change Board of Directors of NCC. It was also during that transition in the University and the City. period that Carl Whittaker, a Sir George William sociology gradu- ate, proposed and got the Board’s acceptance to launch what he NCC was also responsible for bringing the English speaking described as the “Comunaulogy” approach to community Black immigrant communities and the Canadian born development. It was essentially a Pan-Black approach to organiz- Blacks together, not as Islanders, feminists, ideologists, or ing and managing the diversities in the Black community towards members of any specic spiritual denomination, but as a broadly dened self-autonomy within a Federal multicultural Blacks to engage in a struggle to end the exclusion of Blacks Canadian citizenship. This ushered in a period of Black unity from the social, political and economic decision making among its leadership voices and social in uence in Montreal and processes of Montreal and Canada. To accomplish this, the Canada that lasted from 1974 to 2000, and which has not been new leadership, who lived mostly outside the physical experienced since. boundaries of Little Burgundy, set up a network of organiza- tions that together with specialist community based It is in this larger context that the history of the English Speaking organizations (BSC, QBBE, BTW, the Victor Phillips Organiza- Blacks of Little Burgundy must be understood. And to get a sense tion for the Welfare and Development of the Black Children, of its importance and social and historical vitality we must follow etc) linked Blacks throughout the Island of Montreal. These the tentacle of its in uences through its exemplars out into the Black Community Associations formed the core agencies of far reaches of the surrounding areas on the Island of Montreal the Black Community Council of Quebec. and beyond the boundaries of Quebec. I speak of the contribu- tions of Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to the distinctiveness of There is also a link between the history of Black Montreal Canada’s contribution to World Jazz; the way that Rockhead and Sir George Williams University that needs to be Paradise connected Montrealers and the English speaking Blacks, explored. It is a connection which was dramatized by the Sir immigrant and Canadian born, to the Black legends of the new George William crisis in 1969. But it was operating through music cultures that have reshaped many Western and American the presence and the activism of Clarence Bayne cultures; and the in uence of the Coloured Women’s Club that (https://vimeo.com/74153552), Richard Leslie, Dorothy extended throughout the Island and into the rest of Canada (the Wills, and a group of students (Carl Whittaker, Winston Black Women’s Congress). I am talking of the role that the Union Nicholls, Don McFee, Kenny Knights) that worked with the United Church and the NCC played in the creation of new Montreal Citizen Association to publish the Magazine: dynamic Black institutions in Montreal as a whole. These two Expression. “Expression” became an important Black institutions tied the diversities of the English speaking Black academic voice in the Community and in the discourse communities of Montreal together. They embodied the soul and around the Sir George William Crisis (Special Conference memories of the early Black Montreal Community. Issue, Winter 1968), and the Black dialogue on Black liberation and development in Montreal and Canada.

The Negro Theatre Guild also has a role in the Sir George Williams Crisis. Under Victor Phillips Directorship and the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Committee, later BTW, and with Presently, the area of Little history of English speaking Blacks in cance. One such event was the Burgundy is located in the Montreal extend well beyond the Caribbean style street Carnival. It Sud-Ouest Borough of Montreal. The geographic and civic boundaries of rst took place in Little Burgundy in Atwater Market marks the boundary Little Burgundy. This can be seen 1972, which was the 65th Anniver- where St-Henri ends and Little through the Union United Church, sary of the Union United Church. Burgundy begins. From there, it the NCC, the Sir George Williams Although it was sponsored by the stretches to Mountain Street in the Crisis, and the Negro Theatre Guild. Union United Church, the English east and is delineated by the Caribbean speaking immigrant Lachine Canal to the south and In the late sixties-early seventies, the communities also collaborated. It Saint-Antoine in the north. Although radical Black student leaders came was a plan by Reverend Gabourel, Notre Dame West functions as the to the Union United Church himself an immigrant from Jamaica, neighbourhood’s main artery, for basement to promote their “revolu- to attract new Black immigrants the Black community St Antoine tionary” strategies and seek support from the Caribbean and the diverse Street was a centre of Black life and from the resident and rapidly cultures of the Black Diaspora to the culture. However, it would be a emerging immigrant Black commu- fold of the Union United Church mistake, indeed impossible, to draw nity leadership. One such leader was (Maranda Moses, Proud Past: Bright lines around some territory, like the spiritual head of the Black Futures). Little Burgundy, or dene its social Community of “Little Burgundy”: and economic growth and develop- Reverend Charles Este. Later, in the mid-seventies, the ment as embodying all the relevant Negro Community Center (NCC), history of English Speaking Blacks in The UUC also went on to sponsor located in the heart of Little Montreal. The signicance and other events of historical signi-

collaboration. Human beings in a landscape act to preserve life, to perpetuate it and to evolve as a species over time. The funda- mental human objective is to increase longevity, the number of their species, the I am prompted to write this as a response quality of life, and spiritual existence over to some reaction to “givings” by two time into the indenite future. Black sport personalities from the English speaking Black Community of Montreal. Groups when faced with a common enemy The rst has to do with an abusive attack tend to collaborate when collaboration on the Erene Anthony Family for an oers the opportunity for the survival of the alleged gift that was given to Selwyn group and the members of the group. In a House; although, in reality, this gift was nation state, as belief systems approach initiated by Andre Demarais and patrons states which guarantee security and greater of the Selwyn House on behalf of the tness to a larger number of cultural and Anthony Family. The second has to do kinship groups, loyalties to the institutions with an under-current of negative responsible for improving increased tness criticism from both the Black and larger grow stronger among the dierent cultural Montreal community relating to PK and kinship groups. It should not be Suban’s gift of ten million dollars to the surprising therefore that Blacks would Montreal Children’s Hospital. Considering donate to hospitals that preserve and the use that my family, and so many of perpetuate lives. my friends and their families, have made of the children’s hospital, I say to Suban, Giving is a form of sharing, a social entrepre- “Thank you PK. Thank you for underlining neurial act, and, at the same time, selsh the fact that the Black Community is an and social. By denition it has to be so for it equal participating partner in the is motivated by the intelligent strategy creation of a more healthy society.” We which shows that the life of the individual have been contributing for an incredibly can be extended and protected by preserv- long time in many dierent ways; but, as ing and protective the collective. It is selsh Kevin, from his seat in the Dragon Den, in the sense that we have come to realize would have said, “the money talks.” that our individual chances for survival, the However, as we see from these previous perpetuation and improvement in the examples, even money does not quite quality of life increases when we share set one free. information and the surpluses of our creative abilities. So we have a vested and There have been responses to this personal interest in sharing. It is social in the propensity for negative criticism coming sense that we are capable of empathy and from some unexpected sources, but it is, love. Being capable of love, we can care nevertheless, appreciated and about the preservation and wellbeing of welcomed. However, what I want to do other lives and the preservation of the earth. here is to appeal to the rational conscious. We are agents in an environ- But, it is also clear that giving is spiritual. It ment, interacting between ourselves and has to do with the sense of being associated our environments. The incredible thing with acts that are seen as elevating the about these multiple interactions is that human spirit above its material existence, as they cause the environment to change well as the creation of a legacy that extends and in turn the agents adapt or change our lives through the collective spirit of the in some unpredictable way. Then we society long after the death of our physical interact in response to the changes in the and material self. I refer to this as purchas- environment in perpetuity. The world ing one’s ticket to heaven in a blazing around including us is in constant chariot of glory. However, just as the multi-directional change. In this importance of the widow’s mite as a constantly evolving non-linear system, valuable social act should not be human agents have the advantage and discounted, similarly, the importance of capability of thought and innovative altruism of the wealthy as a motive for action. We are capable of learning by giving should not be downgraded. There action and re ection. In addition, we are are rich people who are altruistic in their social and cultural agents capable of

Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015 Semaji 3 The Road So Far youth The Standing on Their Shoulders project winds down

It has been one year since the Burgundy. Standing on Their Shoulders Project began and it has been a The core of the Standing on wonderful journey of discovery Their Shoulders project has and preservation. been the 20 young griots who are preparing to share their Over the course of the project visions of history with the Little we have done 39 educational Burgundy community and and artistic workshops with everyone in youth, collected photographs this winter. In addition to being from archives and generous featured at the Black History individuals, and recorded Month Round Table’s annual dozens of hours of interviews Black History Month launch about the Black English- celebrations, there will be a speaking history of Little community forum in Little

Burgundy to display and celebrate their hard work and to honour all those that made their ...Continued from Page 2 creative visions a reality. This giving. community forum will be held on There are also economic principles underlying giving that explain how Sunday, February 21st from 3pm one might go about deciding to give to one cause and not another. to 5pm at the The overall objective would be to maximize the benets over the collectivity in a socially cohesive manner. I think it is not dicult to Cultural Centre, located at 2450 imagine that a general rule could be that one should distribute one’s rue Workman. surpluses such that the greatest good is done for the greatest number of persons. I do not think that we could be justiably critical of a social allocation of surpluses in which the intent was just that; and if, in fact, Stay tuned for more information the benets of that allocation could be evaluated to have been on this event and don’t miss the socially equitable, inclusive and cohesive. I think that the Children’s chance to see their re ections of hospital of Montreal would qualify as such a cause for “giving”. history! We are looking forward to Finally the argument that such gifts are simply an attempt to dodge seeing you on this very special taxes is simplistic. The policy of tax exemptions for giving allows the occasion. donor the freedom to pick an appropriate cause, as opposed to having bureaucrats in the public sector and elected politicians decide on or select our causes for us. For what is not given is either taxed away or disappears unseen by the “Revenue Agency” or the general social collective. Governments also recognize that the private individual has legitimate priorities and preferences that dier from those of govern- ment distributive agencies. Accordingly, they respect those rights by exemption clauses in their tax laws. It follows that it is the right of every free being to distribute some of his or her surplus earnings as he or she believes to be most optimal socially, not according to loyalties imposed socially or otherwise.

the support of Sir George Williams Fine Arts (specically Norma Springford) and Professor Bayne (Commerce and Administration, Concordia University) the Negro Theatre Guild facilitated the use of space over extended periods of time at Sir George University for the rehearsal and production of plays and cultural events, and meetings of Black community organizations. Professor Roland Wills played a major role in helping to resolve the con ict Burgundy, became the place chosen by the young, immi- between the students and the Administration during and after grant scholars of the sixties and seventies from which to the Sir George Williams Crisis. He also carried out signicant launch the Black Community Council of Quebec and its fundraising among his colleagues at Sir George Williams Univer- outreach programs. These programs were based on new sity to support programs in the English speaking Black commu- social approaches to Black Community development and a nity and to nance building repairs at the NCC. As part of the determination to reposition the Black Community on the transition (late sixties to early seventies) of NCC from an organiza- evolving tness Landscape of Montreal. It was from within tion with a signicant White governance body and presence to a NCC that the Pan-Black movement of the English speaking Black governance and management, Professor Roland Wills acted Black Community was born, and expanded into NDG, as the Black Father Christmas for the NCC Christmas holiday LaSalle, West Island, Cote des Neiges, LaVal, the South Shore community celebration. This was part of a social strategy of and, through its full participation in the National Black empowerment to raise the self-esteem and pride of Black Coalition of Canada, on to the larger Canadian canvass. The children in Little Burgundy and the surrounding territories. It was Sir George Williams Crisis also gave urgency to that devel- during those transition years of the late sixties and early seventies opment. But essentially this movement was well on the way that Professor Clarence Bayne, along with a team of Black McGill before the Sir George William Crisis erupted from the and Sir George William graduates, became a member of the University Campus and became a lightning rod for change Board of Directors of NCC. It was also during that transition in the University and the City. period that Carl Whittaker, a Sir George William sociology gradu- ate, proposed and got the Board’s acceptance to launch what he NCC was also responsible for bringing the English speaking described as the “Comunaulogy” approach to community Black immigrant communities and the Canadian born development. It was essentially a Pan-Black approach to organiz- Blacks together, not as Islanders, feminists, ideologists, or ing and managing the diversities in the Black community towards members of any specic spiritual denomination, but as a broadly dened self-autonomy within a Federal multicultural Blacks to engage in a struggle to end the exclusion of Blacks Canadian citizenship. This ushered in a period of Black unity from the social, political and economic decision making among its leadership voices and social in uence in Montreal and processes of Montreal and Canada. To accomplish this, the Canada that lasted from 1974 to 2000, and which has not been new leadership, who lived mostly outside the physical experienced since. boundaries of Little Burgundy, set up a network of organiza- tions that together with specialist community based It is in this larger context that the history of the English Speaking organizations (BSC, QBBE, BTW, the Victor Phillips Organiza- Blacks of Little Burgundy must be understood. And to get a sense tion for the Welfare and Development of the Black Children, of its importance and social and historical vitality we must follow etc) linked Blacks throughout the Island of Montreal. These the tentacle of its in uences through its exemplars out into the Black Community Associations formed the core agencies of far reaches of the surrounding areas on the Island of Montreal the Black Community Council of Quebec. and beyond the boundaries of Quebec. I speak of the contribu- tions of Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to the distinctiveness of There is also a link between the history of Black Montreal Canada’s contribution to World Jazz; the way that Rockhead and Sir George Williams University that needs to be Paradise connected Montrealers and the English speaking Blacks, explored. It is a connection which was dramatized by the Sir immigrant and Canadian born, to the Black legends of the new George William crisis in 1969. But it was operating through music cultures that have reshaped many Western and American the presence and the activism of Clarence Bayne cultures; and the in uence of the Coloured Women’s Club that (https://vimeo.com/74153552), Richard Leslie, Dorothy extended throughout the Island and into the rest of Canada (the Wills, and a group of students (Carl Whittaker, Winston Black Women’s Congress). I am talking of the role that the Union Nicholls, Don McFee, Kenny Knights) that worked with the United Church and the NCC played in the creation of new Montreal Citizen Association to publish the Magazine: dynamic Black institutions in Montreal as a whole. These two Expression. “Expression” became an important Black institutions tied the diversities of the English speaking Black academic voice in the Community and in the discourse communities of Montreal together. They embodied the soul and around the Sir George William Crisis (Special Conference memories of the early Black Montreal Community. Issue, Winter 1968), and the Black dialogue on Black liberation and development in Montreal and Canada.

The Negro Theatre Guild also has a role in the Sir George Williams Crisis. Under Victor Phillips Directorship and the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Committee, later BTW, and with Presently, the area of Little history of English speaking Blacks in cance. One such event was the Burgundy is located in the Montreal extend well beyond the Caribbean style street Carnival. It Sud-Ouest Borough of Montreal. The geographic and civic boundaries of rst took place in Little Burgundy in Atwater Market marks the boundary Little Burgundy. This can be seen 1972, which was the 65th Anniver- where St-Henri ends and Little through the Union United Church, sary of the Union United Church. Burgundy begins. From there, it the NCC, the Sir George Williams Although it was sponsored by the stretches to Mountain Street in the Crisis, and the Negro Theatre Guild. Union United Church, the English east and is delineated by the Caribbean speaking immigrant Lachine Canal to the south and In the late sixties-early seventies, the communities also collaborated. It Saint-Antoine in the north. Although radical Black student leaders came was a plan by Reverend Gabourel, Notre Dame West functions as the to the Union United Church himself an immigrant from Jamaica, neighbourhood’s main artery, for basement to promote their “revolu- to attract new Black immigrants the Black community St Antoine tionary” strategies and seek support from the Caribbean and the diverse Street was a centre of Black life and from the resident and rapidly cultures of the Black Diaspora to the culture. However, it would be a emerging immigrant Black commu- fold of the Union United Church mistake, indeed impossible, to draw nity leadership. One such leader was (Maranda Moses, Proud Past: Bright lines around some territory, like the spiritual head of the Black Futures). Little Burgundy, or dene its social Community of “Little Burgundy”: and economic growth and develop- Reverend Charles Este. Later, in the mid-seventies, the ment as embodying all the relevant Negro Community Center (NCC), history of English Speaking Blacks in The UUC also went on to sponsor located in the heart of Little Montreal. The signicance and other events of historical signi-

4 Semaji Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015

Meet The Participants!! The Standing on Their Shoulders Project!! youth

"The Standing On Their Shoulders project has been a rewarding and eye opening experience. As a minority overseas for much of my upbringing has left me with a desire to connect with black legacies and histories. By participating in this project I have learned a wealth about the rich history of Black folks in Montreal, stories that will leave me inspired “The "Standing on Their Shoulders” project seeks to for years to come. I greatly enjoyed the uncover black anglophones’ hidden history through opportunity I had to speak with and inter- storytelling and visuals. It is our way of celebrating view such prominent individuals." our achievements as a people and giving a voice to a -Joseph Ariwi community that has been marginalized out of history. We understand that knowledge of self is key to the growth and unity of black youth in Montreal and beyond.” -Yanissa Grand-Pierre

“We felt that this was an impor- tant project to take part in because there isn't as much recognition for the people who have worked so hard to get Little Burgundy to where it is as there should be. My sister and I chose Jesse Maxwell-Smith because we found that her story was inspiring and that accomplishments like “Standing on Their Shoulders is a bridge, in hers are something to strive for. my eyes, to the past in Montreal. They taught We are extremely thankful that me so much about the undiscussed history the Standing on Their Shoulders of Montreal's Black Community. Without project gave us an opportunity to them, I wouldn't have gained that knowl- learn more about our community edge and they are a great contribution to the and someone who helped shape Black Community because of this project i t.” that allowed youths to dig into their roots -Rachel Shelton and create something marvellous.” -Maxwell Step

the support of Sir George Williams Fine Arts (specically Norma Springford) and Professor Bayne (Commerce and Administration, Concordia University) the Negro Theatre Guild facilitated the use of space over extended periods of time at Sir George University for the rehearsal and production of plays and cultural events, and meetings of Black community organizations. Professor Roland Wills played a major role in helping to resolve the con ict Burgundy, became the place chosen by the young, immi- between the students and the Administration during and after grant scholars of the sixties and seventies from which to the Sir George Williams Crisis. He also carried out signicant launch the Black Community Council of Quebec and its fundraising among his colleagues at Sir George Williams Univer- outreach programs. These programs were based on new sity to support programs in the English speaking Black commu- social approaches to Black Community development and a nity and to nance building repairs at the NCC. As part of the determination to reposition the Black Community on the transition (late sixties to early seventies) of NCC from an organiza- evolving tness Landscape of Montreal. It was from within tion with a signicant White governance body and presence to a NCC that the Pan-Black movement of the English speaking Black governance and management, Professor Roland Wills acted Black Community was born, and expanded into NDG, as the Black Father Christmas for the NCC Christmas holiday LaSalle, West Island, Cote des Neiges, LaVal, the South Shore community celebration. This was part of a social strategy of and, through its full participation in the National Black empowerment to raise the self-esteem and pride of Black Coalition of Canada, on to the larger Canadian canvass. The children in Little Burgundy and the surrounding territories. It was Sir George Williams Crisis also gave urgency to that devel- during those transition years of the late sixties and early seventies opment. But essentially this movement was well on the way that Professor Clarence Bayne, along with a team of Black McGill before the Sir George William Crisis erupted from the and Sir George William graduates, became a member of the University Campus and became a lightning rod for change Board of Directors of NCC. It was also during that transition in the University and the City. period that Carl Whittaker, a Sir George William sociology gradu- ate, proposed and got the Board’s acceptance to launch what he NCC was also responsible for bringing the English speaking described as the “Comunaulogy” approach to community Black immigrant communities and the Canadian born development. It was essentially a Pan-Black approach to organiz- Blacks together, not as Islanders, feminists, ideologists, or ing and managing the diversities in the Black community towards members of any specic spiritual denomination, but as a broadly dened self-autonomy within a Federal multicultural Blacks to engage in a struggle to end the exclusion of Blacks Canadian citizenship. This ushered in a period of Black unity from the social, political and economic decision making among its leadership voices and social in uence in Montreal and processes of Montreal and Canada. To accomplish this, the Canada that lasted from 1974 to 2000, and which has not been new leadership, who lived mostly outside the physical experienced since. boundaries of Little Burgundy, set up a network of organiza- tions that together with specialist community based It is in this larger context that the history of the English Speaking organizations (BSC, QBBE, BTW, the Victor Phillips Organiza- Blacks of Little Burgundy must be understood. And to get a sense tion for the Welfare and Development of the Black Children, of its importance and social and historical vitality we must follow etc) linked Blacks throughout the Island of Montreal. These the tentacle of its in uences through its exemplars out into the Black Community Associations formed the core agencies of far reaches of the surrounding areas on the Island of Montreal the Black Community Council of Quebec. and beyond the boundaries of Quebec. I speak of the contribu- tions of Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to the distinctiveness of There is also a link between the history of Black Montreal Canada’s contribution to World Jazz; the way that Rockhead and Sir George Williams University that needs to be Paradise connected Montrealers and the English speaking Blacks, explored. It is a connection which was dramatized by the Sir immigrant and Canadian born, to the Black legends of the new George William crisis in 1969. But it was operating through music cultures that have reshaped many Western and American the presence and the activism of Clarence Bayne cultures; and the in uence of the Coloured Women’s Club that (https://vimeo.com/74153552), Richard Leslie, Dorothy extended throughout the Island and into the rest of Canada (the Wills, and a group of students (Carl Whittaker, Winston Black Women’s Congress). I am talking of the role that the Union Nicholls, Don McFee, Kenny Knights) that worked with the United Church and the NCC played in the creation of new Montreal Citizen Association to publish the Magazine: dynamic Black institutions in Montreal as a whole. These two Expression. “Expression” became an important Black institutions tied the diversities of the English speaking Black academic voice in the Community and in the discourse communities of Montreal together. They embodied the soul and around the Sir George William Crisis (Special Conference memories of the early Black Montreal Community. Issue, Winter 1968), and the Black dialogue on Black liberation and development in Montreal and Canada.

The Negro Theatre Guild also has a role in the Sir George Williams Crisis. Under Victor Phillips Directorship and the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Committee, later BTW, and with Presently, the area of Little history of English speaking Blacks in cance. One such event was the Burgundy is located in the Montreal extend well beyond the Caribbean style street Carnival. It Sud-Ouest Borough of Montreal. The geographic and civic boundaries of rst took place in Little Burgundy in Atwater Market marks the boundary Little Burgundy. This can be seen 1972, which was the 65th Anniver- where St-Henri ends and Little through the Union United Church, sary of the Union United Church. Burgundy begins. From there, it the NCC, the Sir George Williams Although it was sponsored by the stretches to Mountain Street in the Crisis, and the Negro Theatre Guild. Union United Church, the English east and is delineated by the Caribbean speaking immigrant Lachine Canal to the south and In the late sixties-early seventies, the communities also collaborated. It Saint-Antoine in the north. Although radical Black student leaders came was a plan by Reverend Gabourel, Notre Dame West functions as the to the Union United Church himself an immigrant from Jamaica, neighbourhood’s main artery, for basement to promote their “revolu- to attract new Black immigrants the Black community St Antoine tionary” strategies and seek support from the Caribbean and the diverse Street was a centre of Black life and from the resident and rapidly cultures of the Black Diaspora to the culture. However, it would be a emerging immigrant Black commu- fold of the Union United Church mistake, indeed impossible, to draw nity leadership. One such leader was (Maranda Moses, Proud Past: Bright lines around some territory, like the spiritual head of the Black Futures). Little Burgundy, or dene its social Community of “Little Burgundy”: and economic growth and develop- Reverend Charles Este. Later, in the mid-seventies, the ment as embodying all the relevant Negro Community Center (NCC), history of English Speaking Blacks in The UUC also went on to sponsor located in the heart of Little Montreal. The signicance and other events of historical signi-

Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015 Semaji 5

the support of Sir George Williams Fine Arts (specically Norma Springford) and Professor Bayne (Commerce and Administration, community Concordia University) the Negro Theatre Guild facilitated the use of space over extended periods of time at Sir George University for the rehearsal and production of plays and cultural events, and ...Continued from Cover meetings of Black community organizations. Professor Roland Wills played a major role in helping to resolve the con ict Burgundy, became the place chosen by the young, immi- between the students and the Administration during and after grant scholars of the sixties and seventies from which to the Sir George Williams Crisis. He also carried out signicant launch the Black Community Council of Quebec and its fundraising among his colleagues at Sir George Williams Univer- outreach programs. These programs were based on new sity to support programs in the English speaking Black commu- social approaches to Black Community development and a nity and to nance building repairs at the NCC. As part of the determination to reposition the Black Community on the transition (late sixties to early seventies) of NCC from an organiza- evolving tness Landscape of Montreal. It was from within tion with a signicant White governance body and presence to a NCC that the Pan-Black movement of the English speaking Black governance and management, Professor Roland Wills acted Black Community was born, and expanded into NDG, as the Black Father Christmas for the NCC Christmas holiday LaSalle, West Island, Cote des Neiges, LaVal, the South Shore community celebration. This was part of a social strategy of and, through its full participation in the National Black empowerment to raise the self-esteem and pride of Black Coalition of Canada, on to the larger Canadian canvass. The children in Little Burgundy and the surrounding territories. It was Sir George Williams Crisis also gave urgency to that devel- during those transition years of the late sixties and early seventies opment. But essentially this movement was well on the way that Professor Clarence Bayne, along with a team of Black McGill before the Sir George William Crisis erupted from the and Sir George William graduates, became a member of the University Campus and became a lightning rod for change Board of Directors of NCC. It was also during that transition in the University and the City. period that Carl Whittaker, a Sir George William sociology gradu- ate, proposed and got the Board’s acceptance to launch what he NCC was also responsible for bringing the English speaking described as the “Comunaulogy” approach to community Black immigrant communities and the Canadian born development. It was essentially a Pan-Black approach to organiz- Blacks together, not as Islanders, feminists, ideologists, or ing and managing the diversities in the Black community towards members of any specic spiritual denomination, but as a broadly dened self-autonomy within a Federal multicultural Blacks to engage in a struggle to end the exclusion of Blacks Canadian citizenship. This ushered in a period of Black unity from the social, political and economic decision making among its leadership voices and social in uence in Montreal and processes of Montreal and Canada. To accomplish this, the Canada that lasted from 1974 to 2000, and which has not been new leadership, who lived mostly outside the physical experienced since. boundaries of Little Burgundy, set up a network of organiza- tions that together with specialist community based It is in this larger context that the history of the English Speaking organizations (BSC, QBBE, BTW, the Victor Phillips Organiza- Blacks of Little Burgundy must be understood. And to get a sense tion for the Welfare and Development of the Black Children, of its importance and social and historical vitality we must follow etc) linked Blacks throughout the Island of Montreal. These the tentacle of its in uences through its exemplars out into the Black Community Associations formed the core agencies of far reaches of the surrounding areas on the Island of Montreal the Black Community Council of Quebec. and beyond the boundaries of Quebec. I speak of the contribu- tions of Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones to the distinctiveness of There is also a link between the history of Black Montreal Canada’s contribution to World Jazz; the way that Rockhead and Sir George Williams University that needs to be Paradise connected Montrealers and the English speaking Blacks, explored. It is a connection which was dramatized by the Sir immigrant and Canadian born, to the Black legends of the new George William crisis in 1969. But it was operating through music cultures that have reshaped many Western and American the presence and the activism of Clarence Bayne cultures; and the in uence of the Coloured Women’s Club that (https://vimeo.com/74153552), Richard Leslie, Dorothy extended throughout the Island and into the rest of Canada (the Wills, and a group of students (Carl Whittaker, Winston Black Women’s Congress). I am talking of the role that the Union Nicholls, Don McFee, Kenny Knights) that worked with the United Church and the NCC played in the creation of new Montreal Citizen Association to publish the Magazine: dynamic Black institutions in Montreal as a whole. These two Expression. “Expression” became an important Black institutions tied the diversities of the English speaking Black academic voice in the Community and in the discourse communities of Montreal together. They embodied the soul and around the Sir George William Crisis (Special Conference memories of the early Black Montreal Community. Issue, Winter 1968), and the Black dialogue on Black liberation and development in Montreal and Canada.

The Negro Theatre Guild also has a role in the Sir George Williams Crisis. Under Victor Phillips Directorship and the Trinidad and Tobago Drama Committee, later BTW, and with 6 Semaji Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015

Following the Roots history

Hello, my name is Adanne and Oludumaré directly. Each wor- which resembled their own this is my story of following my shiper believes that they have a Orixas. Many people now practice roots. It all began when we personal Orixas, who acts as Candomble in the open as a way decided to clean out the attic their protector and controls to reclaim their culture and one rainy day. While cleaning we their destiny. This is important history came across an old trunk that since, according to the Can- (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/rel belonged to my great- domble beliefs, there is no igions/candomble/). grandmother. duality of good and bad; each person must simply full their This was not so for my My great-grandmother was destiny. However, this is not a great-grandmother’s sister, who descendant from African slaves carte blanche, any evil you do to had to practice her religion in that were brought to Brazil another will come back to you secret all of her life. It was through during the slave trade. She eventually. her letters that we learned of her decided to move to Montreal in struggle and dedication. This was the 1950’s and brought her trunk Believers of Candomble practice why I was so interested in learning along with her. It was in this their beliefs through dance. about this part of my family trunk that we found letters from These carefully structured history and following my roots my great-grandmother to her dances allow the believer to be back to Brazil. sister, who stayed in Brazil. My possessed by the Orixas. Some great-grandmother was Catholic, of these Orixas’ are ancestor and extremely religious, so we spirits, called Baba Egum, who Please write us about your were quite shocked to discover regulate the community’s moral personal experiences with that her sister had been a Can- code through public demon- following your roots! Looking domble Priestess. stration during possession. The back at personal history priests and priestess’s also allows a community to better Candomble, also called “dance in masquerade as these spirits understand their own history honour of the gods,” originated during important ceremonies. as a whole. It is through from African religions of the looking at these individual Yoruba, Fon and Bantu regions. During the slave trade slave pieces that we begin to see However, Candomble also has a owners and Church leaders felt the entire puzzle. strong connection with Catholi- it imperative to convert the cism and is considered a African slaves to Christianity. It One such experience will be syncretic religion because it was because of this that they featured in Semaji every incorporates various beliefs from outlawed traditional African issue. Send any articles to dierent religions, including beliefs, and later Candomble, up [email protected] Islam until the 1970’s. As a way to m. We hope you decide to (http://www.religionfacts.com/ca keep their traditional beliefs the share your piece of the ndomble). The Candomble slaves outwardly practiced puzzle with the community. worshipers believe that there is Christianity. However, they still Thank you! one almighty god, named Oludu- met in secret to practice their maré, and various other lesser beliefs and on special religious gods, called Orixas, who act as days. They hid their practices middlemen between the head and symbols within the Chris- god and the people, since people tian faith, especially in connec- cannot communicate with tion with the Christian saints, Volume 11, Issue 2 December 2015 Semaji 7

leisure club Cozy up with these Winter Reads!!!

Emancipation Day: Celebrating James Robinson Johnston: The Life, Death, Freedom in Canada, By Natasha and Legacy of Nova Scotia’s First Black L. Henry. Lawyer, By Justin Marcus Johnston.

This new, well-researched book James Robinson Johnston, known as "Lawyer provides insight into the creation, Johnston" to many, is an important gure in development, and evolution of a Nova Scotian history: not only was he the rst distinct African-Canadian tradition Black graduate of Dalhousie University, he was through descriptive historical accounts and the rst Black graduate of Dalhousie Law School as well. This appealing images. The social, cultural, political, biography deals with Johnston's personal and professional life, and educational practices of Emanipation Day his role as a brilliant lawyer, community man and husband. It also festivities across Canada are explored, with deals with the sensitive issue of his death at the hands of his emphasis on Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, brother-in-law, Harry Allen, which caused a scandal when it Quebec, and British Columbia. occurred in March 1915. Author and descendant Justin Johnston --Excerpt from Dundurn press looks at the associated impact the death and the killer's trial had on Nova Scotia's Black community, both past and present. --Excerpt from amazon.ca

These books can be found at the Atwater Library’s Black Collection.

Stay Tuned For These Movies!!!

Creed And Then There A Thin Line (2015). Cast: Was You (2013). Between Love and Michael B. Cast: Brian Hate (1996). Cast: Jordan, White, Kate Martin Lawrence, Sylvester Nauta, and Lynn Whit eld, Stallone, and Garcelle Beau- Regina King. Tessa vais. Thompson. An observable, fast-talking party The former World Heavy- Natalie resorts to picking up man Darnell Wright, gets his weight Champion Rocky the pieces of her life after her punishment when one of his Balboa serves as a trainer husband leaves her for the conquests takes it personally and and mentor to Adonis family he has outside. She falls comes back for revenge in this Johnson, the son of his late in love with Darrell, but he has 'Fatal Attraction'-esque comic friend and former rival secrets of his own. Can Natalie thriller. Apollo Creed. handle any more secrets? --Excerpt from IMDb --Excerpt from IMDb --Excerpt from IMDb Our Resource Guide highlights a variety of non-prot, public and para-public organizations serving the English-speaking Black community

The Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC) is an organization that strengthens community capacity by providing professional support to organizations and individuals in need. Our team is committed to assisting visible-minority youth rekindle their dreams and achieve their full potential.

Our Funders:  Patrimoine canadien /Canadian Heritage, Official Languages  Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal