by Ketcia Peters
In February, we celebrate Black History Month! It is well known in our community, isn’t it?.
What some may not remember is that this year, 2022, we celebrate the 60th year from a huge, important, almost biblical event.
The first Afro-American accepted in a University of the USA.
“Only” 113 years would have passed between the first black Canadian university student and the first American.
It’s almost funny to think that two nations so close geographically can be so far socially speaking.
Yet, both countries have had a history that is not too divergent, regarding minorities or “unwanted people”. Just think of the Native Americans, right? Canadians weren’t so kind either.
Nonetheless, the US took the cake.
In ’62, the Supreme Court of the United States of America gave James Meredith, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, the right to enter the University of Mississippi.
Before then, the blacks of America had no right to access higher studies because they were thought of, and experienced as, sub-humans. Unsuitable for that kind of culture.
The BrownvsBoard of Education ruling overturned the status quo and shook any racial prejudice: racial segregation was unconstitutional in public schools maintained by all taxpayers.
Therefore, the sentence simply accepted the need to equate the rights of citizens regardless of race.
The law did not admit inhibitions derived from the colour of the skin.
And this, which is now taken for granted, was then revolutionary.
It awakened all at an international level. It shook perceptions and gave new lymph to all blacks. New hope.
Meredith graduated on August 18 of the following year, in 1963, despite the resentment of the population.
Meredith became a beacon around the globe for a movement that had to surmount prejudice so deeply attached to a culture, that was almost impossible for it to succeed.
He was the living proof that even in a state like Mississippi, change was possible.
The aftermath of that wasn’t simply the possibility for blacks in the US to enter college: it was more. It meant that a non-violent fight would have worked, it meant that we could have a chance to be empowered.
On the 60th year from that triumph, I want to remind all of you what can be done, what must still be done.
With a fight greater than any war. Bigger than any revolution. Prouder than any political achievement.
I want to remind you, this month of this year, that the struggle for change needs to be combatted from every field.
And the pride we take with each victory, however small, must be celebrated.
I wanted to celebrate this 60th anniversary, even though I’m Canadian and not from the US. Because Meredith and his merits Must be ours, too.
No matter the 113 years’ difference between the first Black Canadian in a college and the first American.
No matter how many social differences there are, still, between our two countries.
No matter how long it’ll take for that stinky, heinous, horrid systemic racism to be worn out from our society and be gone forever.
We must celebrate and take pride in and for every last little victory, every triumph, every battle we fought and will fight.
Happy 60th anniversary.
Happy Black History Month.