SHOW OF PRIDE
African Heritage Month was launched in Truro’s council chambers this week with poetry and passion and a call to encourage more youth to become involved in their communities.
TRURO, N.S. – Some powerful poetry helped launch African Heritage Month in Truro.
El Jones, spoken word poet and community activist, was special guest for the event, which took place in council chambers on Monday, Feb. 3.
Through poetry, she encouraged people to value themselves and support others, reminding them that women like Harriet Tubman, who was born into slavery, dedicated herself to uplifting her people and valued herself.
Jones said: “She dedicated herself to her mission to uplift her people
She never learned to read or write But she could guide thousands by the light of the north star.
Meanwhile, my sisters with law degrees or PHDS
Believing we have come so far Are brainwashed into thinking our lives have no dignity.
And so, we do not seek equality. My sisters, we must ask ourselves seriously why so many of us have our own house, bank account or car
But still do not value ourselves one half of a per cent as much as Harriet did.” Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Tony Ince also spoke at the event, encouraging everyone to get more youth involved in the community.
“They’re the ones that have to carry this torch for us and they need to know and feel a part of this,” he said.
He noted as he travels around the province, he is seeing more young people getting involved and making adults accountable.
Truro Mayor Bill Mills proclaimed February as African Heritage Month in the town and his year’s poster was unveiled, with the theme, “The Ties that Bind: Faith, Family, Community.”
Truro Councillor Cathy Hinton, chair of the diversity advisory committee, also addressed those in attendance.
“In September, our African Nova Scotian community voiced concerns to the town that existed for decades and the town is listening,” she said. “A resolution was made to work collaboratively with the African Nova Scotian community to enhance our relationship through historical recognition of their contribution to the community and improving communication, to open dialogue on other community concerns and to support the community as it seeks justice and development through the province and the federal government.”