Inspiring youth to strive
Federal Black Caucus visits Truro high school
Members of the federal Black Caucus spoke to a classroom of African Nova Scotian students at Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro with a message of perseverance.
“If you fall down in the mud, and you can’t get up, at least turn over and look up at the sun,” was a line used by two of the visiting members of parliament to highlight the power of not giving up.
“if you fall down in the mud, and you can’t get up, at least turn over and look up at the sun.”
MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes of Whitby, Ont., MP Greg Fergus of Hull, Que., MP Marc Miller of Montreal and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard of East Preston were in Truro as part of a tour organized by Cumberland Colchester MP Bill Casey.
“When I saw they had formed a Black Caucus, I just knew I wanted them to come here and talk to the people of this riding,” said Casey. “The focus of the tour is to inspire young people to strive. But we’re also trying to shed light on some African Nova Scotian history, and tackle the issue of racism as well.”
The caucus hosted a lunch at the Holiday Inn, and spoke at the Marigold Cultural Centre in the evening after visiting the school.
Senator Bernard said she hoped she and other the visitors could serve as role models for what is possible.
“We are here to be the bright light of hope,” she said.
“When they hear our stories and they are going through the same things we went through, they are facing the same racism – you wouldn’t believe the stories I could tell just since becoming a senator – and yet when they see us, they know they can be an MP, that’s powerful, that’s hope.”
The Black Caucus also visited the Black Cultural Centre and the Africville Museum on Wednesday.