RBC, with the support of Free the Children,?asked students applying to college or university to tell us their stories of how black Canadians have helped define Canada?s diverse heritage.?? Every day, we?re publishing a new essay from the competition to celebrate our youth.? Pick up your copy of Sway magazine in March to find out who the three scholarship winners are.
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By: Shalon Hunte
Age: 17
Grade: 12
Black History Month is indeed an established time during the year to recognize the important role of black Canadians. Black history dates all the way back to the days of slavery where farmers, explorers and slaves travelled across the ocean to escape tyranny and persecution.
Michaelle Jean
As a young black student myself, I have observed that there are many notable black Canadians who span our shores. But two people, Lincoln Alexander and Michaelle Jean, come to mind when reflecting upon how black Canadians have helped to define Canada?s diverse heritage and identity through their achievements and contributions to the broader society.
Limits are often set within societies and some people are content to operate within those boundaries, but a person of colour who breaks these barriers is often celebrated because it emphasizes that no race is superior to another.
Michaelle Jean broke the limits and contributed to the Canadian society; she was born in Haiti and one would usually not expect someone of Haitian descent to accomplish what she has. Achieving the position as the Governor General of Canada is an honour regardless of colour; however, Michaelle Jean is the first woman of colour to have held a position of this stature.
Her efforts to make Canada a better place are rooted in actions of social activism. For example, from 1979-1987 Jean worked with shelters in Quebec for women suffering from abusive relationships and helped to establish a chain of networks of emergency shelters in the province. Jean has also worked with organizations dedicated to improving the lives of immigrant women and families.
The Michaelle Jean Foundation seeks creative initiatives designed to promote our youth and the arts for social change across Canada. Her contributions include recognizing that Canada?s multiculturalism is what makes Canada great.
Lincoln Alexander
Lincoln Alexander shares a similar story to Michaelle Jean, but he championed youth and education. His contributions in this area of Canadian society allowed Ontario to introduce a special award program named after him. Alexander is currently 89 years old, but leaves behind a legacy of his commitment to helping youth overcome social barriers.
His journey to becoming the first black man to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor of Canada was a struggle as he had to overcome racial barriers. Lincoln Alexander is one of the best people to exemplify that although challenges exist within Canada, if one is willing to fight for a dream and despite the odds, it is possible to make dreams come true.
There are many black Canadians across Canada who have contributed richly to Canada?s diverse heritage. They have proven that the true strength of Canada comes not from the strength of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals, liberty and opportunity. Black Canadians have shown that we may have different stories but we hold common hopes. We may not look the same or have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction; towards a better future.
The essays submitted pursuant to the RBC? Black History Month Student Essay Competition and provided herein are the original work of the students who have entered the Competition.? Neither Royal Bank of Canada nor Sway assume any responsibility whatsoever for material that is false, inaccurate or violates or infringes upon the rights of third parties, including privacy and intellectual property rights.
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