Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.
Good morning folks
As we enter the early days of the fall, it is easy to feel that there is no end in sight for this covid 19 pandemic. However, we at Black Ottawa Scene, like to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, as the numbers in Canada continue to decline and the restrictions are gradually lifted. So as we continue to look on the bright side, our Top Story is the appointment of former Ottawa resident Patrica Bebia Mawa as Chair of the Reelworld Screen Institute, a prestigious media advocacy and innovation oriented organisation. Way to go Pat! Speaking of new appointments we are pleased to congratulate Ottawa community leader Dahabo Ahmed Omer on her appointment as the inaugural Executive Director of the BlackNorth Initiative.
The impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement continues to grow as first we report on the firing of the Ottawa by-law officer for assaulting a Black man. We follow this with the report of the reprimand of North Dundas Councillor Tyler Hoy by fellow councillors for his Facebook posting labelling the Movement as “a terrorist group”.
Among the good news for this edition is the fairy-tale story of Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies who made history by playing for global soccer giants Bayern Munich in their winning the UEFA Champions league final victory over Paris St Germain.
Two well-known Black women are vying for the vacant municipal Council position in Cumberland, with the by-election scheduled for October 2020. Our best wishes to Yvette Ashiri and Lise-Pascale Iamanuco on their campaign. Mind you, one would have wished for one Black candidate, so that the Black community could throw their entire support behind them. But democracy does not work that way and our wish is that one of them wins to become the second Black councillor in the nation’s capital.
Our Guest columnists continue to excel with Andy-Kusi Appiah on his piece: Societies work because people work , while Rev Bassey Ekong provides the spiritual perspective with: Your Mouth Speaks from Your Heart.
All these and more in the September edition of Black Ottawa Scene. Here is the result of our August 2020 poll:
Do you believe there will be a second wave of Covid 19?
Yes 73% No 27%
Thank you to all who voted.
Remember to vote in the September 2020 poll: Do you feel that the measures by school boards are enough to protect children and staff when schools reopen?
All the best to our readers and wishing you all a covid-free rest of the month.
Godfwin Ifedi
Editor