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The maltreatment of Black Canadians in today’s society

Published

12 months ago

October 2, 2023

The shadow of anti-Black racism stretches long and deep. The roots of this pervasive issue can be traced back to the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, marking the beginning of a history replete with discrimination and injustice against Black individuals. Despite the progress made in civil rights and social justice, Black Canadians continue to face various forms of maltreatment in today’s society. This essay argues that while there have been steps towards equality, systemic racism, social and economic disparities persist, affecting the lives of Black Canadians in profound ways.

The historical context of anti-Black racism in Canada is an essential starting point for understanding its present manifestations. Slavery in Canada, although less documented and often overshadowed by the American narrative, played a significant role in the country’s early development. The abolition of slavery in 1834 was a pivotal moment, yet it did not mark the end of struggles for Black Canadians. The post-abolition era saw persistent systemic discrimination, segregation, and exclusion, setting the stage for the enduring challenges faced by Black communities.

In contemporary Canada, systemic racism remains a deeply entrenched issue. This manifests in various societal systems, including the criminal justice system, where Black Canadians are disproportionately represented, often facing racial profiling and harsher sentencing. In the education system, disparities in educational outcomes and representation in curricula further contribute to the cycle of marginalization. The healthcare system, too, is not immune to racial biases, impacting the access to and quality of healthcare for Black individuals.

Economically, the landscape is no less challenging. Black Canadians face higher unemployment rates, lower wages, and barriers to upward mobility, perpetuating a cycle of economic disparity. These systemic challenges are compounded by social dynamics, including racial biases and stereotypes prevalent in Canadian society. The representation of Black Canadians in media often reinforces negative stereotypes, impacting public perception and self-identity.

Despite these challenges, there is a growing awareness and effort to address and combat the maltreatment of Black Canadians. Governmental policies and initiatives, though sometimes criticized for their effectiveness, indicate a recognition of the issues at hand. Community advocacy and grassroots movements play a crucial role in pushing for change and advocating for the rights and well-being of Black Canadians. Education is recognized as a powerful tool in combating racism, fostering a more inclusive and understanding society. Creating inclusive spaces and opportunities in various sectors is also crucial in breaking down barriers of systemic racism.

We will explore these various dimensions, offering an in-depth analysis of the ongoing struggles faced by Black Canadians due to systemic racism and societal attitudes. It aims to not only shed light on these issues but also to highlight the resilience and strength of the Black community in Canada. The goal is to foster a better understanding and encourage a collective effort towards a society where equality and justice are not just ideals but realities for all, regardless of race.

The narrative of Black Canadians is inseparable from the history of slavery in Canada, a facet often overshadowed or minimized in the broader historical discourse. The transatlantic slave trade, beginning in the 16th century, was a cornerstone in the development of early Canadian society. Enslaved Africans were brought to Canada under French and British colonial rule, used as a labor force in various sectors, including agriculture and construction. The conditions they endured were brutal and dehumanizing, setting a precedent for racial discrimination that would persist for centuries.

The abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, which included Canada, was a significant milestone, yet it did not herald an end to the struggles of Black Canadians. The legacy of slavery had already sown deep seeds of racial bias and discrimination in Canadian society. The immediate post-slavery era saw Black Canadians facing systemic barriers to integration and equality. They were often relegated to menial jobs, denied access to quality education, and faced restrictions in housing and land ownership.

Post-Abolition Challenges

In the post-abolition era, Black Canadians continued to grapple with overt and institutional racism. Segregation, a stark reality of this period, was evident in schools, churches, and public spaces. One notable example was Africville in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a Black community established in the 19th century. Despite its rich cultural heritage and tight-knit community, Africville residents lived without basic amenities and faced constant threat of eviction and marginalization. The eventual destruction of Africville in the 1960s, under the guise of urban renewal, stands as a stark reminder of the systemic neglect and racism faced by Black communities.

Employment discrimination was another significant challenge. Black Canadians were often denied high-paying jobs and faced unfair treatment in the workplace. They were also disproportionately affected by poverty, leading to a cycle of socio-economic disadvantage. This period was marked by a lack of political representation and legal protections, leaving Black Canadians vulnerable to institutionalized racism.

The civil rights movement in Canada, inspired by its American counterpart, was a response to these systemic inequalities and injustices. Black Canadians organized and advocated for their rights, demanding an end to racial discrimination and segregation. One of the key figures in this movement was Viola Desmond, who in 1946 challenged racial segregation at a movie theatre in Nova Scotia. Her act of defiance and the subsequent legal battle were pivotal in raising public awareness about the reality of racial segregation in Canada.

Another significant moment was the establishment of the National Unity Association in Dresden, Ontario, which fought against racial discrimination in employment and housing. Their efforts led to the passage of the Fair Employment Practices Act in 1951 and the Fair Accommodation Practices Act in 1954 in Ontario, legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, and ethnic origin in public spaces and the workplace.

These movements laid the groundwork for further legislative and societal changes. They galvanized Black communities across Canada, fostering a sense of unity and purpose in the fight for civil rights. The efforts of these early activists were instrumental in challenging and gradually dismantling the systemic structures of racism in Canadian society.

The historical context of anti-Black racism in Canada is crucial in understanding the current societal structures and the ongoing challenges faced by Black Canadians. The legacy of slavery and post-abolition discrimination has had lasting effects, contributing to current disparities in socio-economic status, representation, and access to opportunities for Black Canadians. The civil rights movements, while achieving significant progress, highlight the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice. This history underscores the need for continued efforts in addressing the deep-rooted issues of systemic racism and building a more equitable society.

The impact of systemic racism on Black Canadians within the criminal justice system is a multifaceted and deeply ingrained issue. Racial profiling, disproportionate arrest and incarceration rates, and harsher sentencing are stark realities for Black Canadians.

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Tampa Bay Lightning select Victor Hedman as captain, succeeding Steven Stamkos

Published

4 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Victor Hedman as the team captain on Wednesday as training camp opened, making the big defenseman the successor to Steven Stamkos.

Hedman, who is going into his 16th season with Tampa Bay, was considered the obvious choice to get the “C” after the Lightning did not re-sign Stamkos and their longtime captain left to join Nashville.

“Victor is a cornerstone player that is extremely well respected by his teammates, coaches and peers across the NHL,” general manager Julien BriseBois said. “Over the past 15 seasons, he has been a world-class representative for our organization both on and off the ice. Victor embodies what it means to be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and is more than ready for this exciting opportunity. We are looking forward to watching him flourish in his new role as we continue to work towards our goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”

The 33-year-old from Sweden was a key contributor in the Lightning hoisting the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21, including playoff MVP honors on the first of those championship runs. Hedman also took home the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman in 2018 and finished in the top three in voting five other seasons.

Ryan McDonagh, who was reacquired early in the offseason in a trade with the Predators, and MVP finalist Nikita Kucherov will serve as alternate captains with the Lightning moving on to the post-Stamkos era.

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Toronto FC Jason Hernandez looks to clean up salary cap and open up the future

Published

4 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – While Toronto FC is looking to improve its position on the pitch, general manager Jason Hernandez is trying to do the same off it.

That has been easier said than done this season.

Sending winger Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to CF Montreal for up to $1.3 million (all dollar figures in U.S. funds) in general allocation money before the secondary transfer window closed in early August helped set the stage for future moves.

But there have been plenty of obstacles, which Hernandez has been working to clear.

“We feel a lot more confident going into this upcoming off-season that we did the one prior,” said Hernandez. “There’s a level of what I would say booby-traps that were uncovered when I first got the (GM) role at the end of last summer.”

The club is paying off departed forwards Adam Diomande and Ayo Akinola as well as a $500,000 payment due in 2024 to Belgium’s Anderlecht for Jamaican international defender Kemar Lawrence. That payment was part of the transfer fee for Lawrence, who joined TFC from Anderlecht in May 2021 and was traded to Minnesota United in March 2022.

Diomande was waived while Akinola’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement.

“That comes to an end in ’25, which is nice,” said Hernandez. “We had to suffer from a salary cap perspective this season. But those things coming off, the Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty money coming in, we’re going to be in a position to make some good additions, which is positive.”

While MLS clubs are allowed one contract buyout per year, Toronto had already used its on former captain Michel Bradley, who retired after last season. Bradley had previously restructured his contract, deferring money.

TFC’s only other move during the summer transfer window was the signing of free-agent defender Henry Wingo. Hernandez said the club knew going into the window that it was likely limited to the one acquisition “unless other business happened”

“We knew we had this bucket of money and we knew we were going to go get Henry,” said Hernandez.

While the sale of the highly touted Marshall-Rutty opened up other possibilities, it came on the eve of the transfer window closing. And the team did not like what it saw in the free-agent market.

“A lot of the opportunities we were presented in the free agency space felt more like a short-term, Band-Aid decision versus what actually the club probably needs.”

Hernandez was not willing to take in players who came with a “club-friendly” salary cap charge in 2024 and a much bigger number in 2025.

Instead, Toronto promoted forward Charlie Sharp and wingback Nate Edwards to the first team from TFC 2 ahead of last Friday’s roster freeze.

MLS teams are operating on a salary budget of $5.47 million this season, which covers up to 20 players on the senior roster (clubs can elect to spread that number across 18 players). But the league has several mechanisms that allow those funds to go further, including using allocation money (both general and targeted) to buy down salaries.

Designated players only count $683,750 — the maximum salary charge — against the cap no matter their actual pay. Toronto’s Lorenzo Insigne is actually earning $15.4 million with fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi collecting $6.295 million and Canadian Richie Laryea $1.208 million.

Hernandez says Laryea’s contract can — and “very likely” will — be restructured so as to remove the designated player status.

There are benefits in going with just two designated players rather than three.

Teams that elect to go with two DPs can sign up to four players as part of the league’s “U22 Initiative.” The pluses of that structure include a reduced salary cap charge for the young players and up to an extra $2 million in general allocation money.

Hernandez says the club is currently pondering whether that is the way to go.

Captain Jonathan Osorio who is earning $836,370 this season, restructured his deal to allow the team to sign Laryea as a DP. In doing so, Osorio had his option year guaranteed so his contact runs through 2026.

Hernandez and coach John Herdman will have decisions to make come the end of the year.

The contracts of goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh ($94,200), defenders Kevin Long ($277,500), Shane O’Neill ($413,000) and Kobe Franklin ($100,520), midfielder Alonso Coello ($94,050) and Brandon Servania ($602,710), and forward Prince Owusu ($807,500) — all on the club’s senior roster — expire at the end of 2024 with club options to follow.

While there is more work to do, Hernandez believes TFC is on the right road.

Toronto, which finished last in the league at 4-20-10 in 2023, went into Wednesday’s game against visiting Columbus in a playoff position at eighth in the East at 11-15-3.

“By every metric, we are miles ahead of where we were at this point last year,” said Hernandez.

“That’s a low bar, so that’s not saying much,” he added.

But he believes TFC is “quite competitive” when it has all its players at its disposal.

“To get results in this final stretch, we’re going to need our prominent players to really show up and have big performances, and be supported by the rest of the cast.”

After Columbus, TFC plays at Colorado and Chicago and hosts the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami. The club also travels to Vancouver for the Canadian Championship final.

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Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024

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Canada’s Hughes may be what International team has been missing at Presidents Cup

Published

4 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Anne Joseph

Mackenzie Hughes might just be what the International team needs as this year’s Presidents Cup.

Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., is one of three Canadians on the squad competing in the match-play event at Royal Montreal Golf Club next week.

His putting skills, cool demeanour under pressure, pre-existing connections with teammates and clubhouse leadership could help the team — made up of non-American players outside Europe — end a nine-tournament losing skid to the United States at the biennial event.

“I’ve had this one circled on the calendar for a few years now,” said Hughes on joining fellow Canadians Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners as captain’s picks on the 12-player International team. “I pretty much knew that when it was announced the tournament would be in Canada and that Mike Weir was going to be the captain, you pretty much knew where that was going to go.

“To get that call from (Weir) is really special because he’s the guy that I looked up to, we all looked up to, as Canadian golfers.”

Pendrith and Conners are returning to the team after a disappointing 17 1/2 to 12 1/2 loss to the United States at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. in 2022.

Hughes was ranked 14th on the International team standings in 2022 and could have easily been included on that squad after Australia’s Cameron Smith and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann were ruled ineligible after jumping ship to the rival LIV Golf circuit.

However, captain Trevor Immelman of South Africa instead chose the lower ranked Christiaan Bezuidenhout (16th) of South Africa, Pendrith (18th), South Korea’s Kim Si-woo (20th) and Australia’s Cameron Davis (25th).

“I certainly wanted to be on that team but also I understood the picks,” said Hughes, who lives in Charlotte and plays at Quail Hollow regularly. “I think that like a lot of guys that don’t get picked you more so look back on your own play and I wish I had made that selection easier for them.

“I didn’t do myself any favours in the six weeks leading up to it and that’s a hard pill to swallow.”

It may have been a costly oversight on Immelman’s part, as finishing holes was an issue for the International team in 2022 and Hughes is one of the best putters on the PGA Tour. This season he’s third in shots gained around the green and fifth in shots gained from putting.

“It doesn’t mean that just because I was there it would have turned the tide, but I’d like to think maybe I could have helped,” said Hughes. “That’s why you play the matches. You have to get out there and do it.”

This year Hughes made it easier for Weir, the Canadian golf legend from Brights Grove, Ont., to choose him. Hughes is 51st in the FedEx Cup Fall standings and has made the cut seven tournaments in a row, including a tie for fourth at last week’s Procore Championship.

“Mac played very solidly all year. Really like his short game, an all-around short game,” said Weir on Sept. 3 after announcing his captain’s picks. “He’s one of the elite and best short game guys on the PGA Tour

“I also love Mac’s grit. So that was the reason I picked him.”

Hughes’s intangible qualities go beyond grit.

He, Pendrith and Conners will arrive at Royal Montreal as a unit within the International squad, having become close friends while playing on Kent State University’s men’s golf team before turning pro. They’re also part of a group of Canadians, including Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., that regularly practice together before PGA Tour events.

“To have those guys with me is really icing on the cake, it’s very special,” said Hughes. “Opportunities like this don’t come around very often: to play this kind of team competition, which is already hard to do, but to play with some of your best friends, it almost seems scripted.”

An 11-year professional, Hughes has also been a member of the PGA Tour’s player advisory council the past two years and has been an outspoken advocate for making professional golf more accessible to fans.

Although Weir relied heavily on analytics to make his captain’s selections, Hughes’s character came up again and again when asked why he was named to the team.

“I just have a gut feeling with Mac that he has what it takes in these big moments,” said Weir. “They’re big pressure moments, and I have a feeling he’s going to do great in those moments.”

DP WORLD TOUR — Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., continues his chase for a spot in the Europe-based DP World Tour’s playoffs. The top 50 players on the Race to Dubai standings make the DP World Tour Championship and Cockerill moved eight spots up to 39th in the rankings after tying for ninth at last week’s Irish Open. He’ll be back at it on Thursday at the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.

KORN FERRY TOUR — Myles Creighton of Digby, N.S., is ranked 38th on the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour’s points list. He leads the Canadian contingent into this week’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. He’ll be joined at Ohio State University Golf Club — Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio by Edmonton’s Wil Bateman (53rd), Etienne Papineau (65th) of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que., and Sudarshan Yellamaraju (99th) of Mississauga, Ont.

CHAMPIONS TOUR — Calgary’s Stephen Ames is the lone Canadian at this week’s Pure Insurance Championship. He’s No. 2 on the senior circuit’s points list. The event will start Friday and be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Monterey, Calif.

LPGA TOUR — There are four Canadians in this week’s Kroger City Championship. Savannah Grewal (97th in the Race to CME Globe Rankings) of Mississauga, Ont., Hamilton’s Alena Sharp (115th), and Maude-Aimee Leblanc (142nd) of Sherbrooke, Que., will all tee it up at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio.

EPSON TOUR — Vancouver’s Leah John is the low Canadian heading into the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout. She’s 54th in the second-tier tour’s points list. She’ll be joined by Maddie Szeryk (118th) of London, Ont., and Brigitte Thibault (119th) of Rosemere, Que., at Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, Ark.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.

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