‘It’s time for perceptions to change’ in Montreal
Black History Month includes concerts, art displays, theatre and exhibitions
To explain why she accepted the role of co-spokesperson for this year’s Black History Month, Myrna Lashley told two stories.
Lashley, who holds a PhD in counselling psychology from McGill University and is an assistant professor at McGill’s department of psychiatry, was in line at a store about five years ago. Standing next to her with her mother was a black girl, about nine years old.
“As is often the case when black people find themselves in similar situations, we started talking with each other,” Lashley recounted. “And at one point the little girl asked me, ‘What do you do?’ “I told her I was a psychologist. “And she said, with total amazement: ‘We have those? I didn’t know that.’ ”
“I was saddened, and stunned, by this response.”
Lashley recalled another conversation with a well-known white local public figure, who intimated Quebec’s black history started with the porters who worked on the rail lines.
It’s time, Lashley resolved, for perceptions to change, both within the black community and without. Speaking at the Montreal event officially kicking off Black History Month before a full house at city hall Thursday evening, with Mayor Valérie Plante and David Heurtel, Quebec minister of immigration and diversity in attendance, Lashley said her goal is to highlight the roles played by
blacks in the history of Canada, Quebec and Montreal, “from the moment Mathieu da Costa (the first Black known to have visited Canada) sailed into the St. Lawrence with Samuel de Champlain, until today. We as blacks have contributed to the growth and prosperity of this province since the beginning of its founding. And it’s important to recognize this fact,” she said.
This year’s celebration, running under the theme “Black history is made every day” focuses on role models and expanding knowledge of the contributions made in the past and currently.
There is a month of events planned, and programming can be found at the moishistoiredesnoirs.com website. Events include arts displays, theatre shows, concerts, photo exhibits and the HémaQuébec Black History Month blood drive at Centre Ceda Feb. 17 in Little Burgundy, to aid in combating sickle cell anemia blood disorder that particularly affects black communities.
Two other highlights include the exhibit at Place des Arts titled Prince: His Purple Majesty honouring the late singer, running from Feb. 9 to March 3, and a Prince tribute concert at Club Soda on Feb. 28. The 2nd annual Gala Dynastie at the TOHU will be held on Saturday. L’Union des Africains du Québec will also be hosting conferences.
Michael P. Farkas, president of the Round Table on Black History Month, invited all Montrealers to partake and share in a rich history.
“It’s a fabulous story, because obviously they were marginalized people, put aside from society in so many ways, and today there is a lot of interest … to know how a nation of people have survived times where they were enslaved or just down on their luck and still are trying to find our way right now.”