By Priya Joshi
The month of February marks the beginning of Black History Month. Within these 28 days, we look to acknowledge many hardships Black people overcame, along with the impact Black history has had on our Canadian identity. This is a time to pay homage to the rich culture, and Black figures who’ve helped pave the way for future generations. For instance, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin arrested for refusing to give up her seat in a segregated bus on March 2nd, 1955, inspired Rosa Parks to do the same nine months later. This ultimately sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Martin Luther King. We must continue to recognize the perseverance and determination of these historical figures, and how it helped dramatically change our lives today.
Athletes, Musicians, Actors, Activists, and other role models, to name a few, have significantly impacted the representation of people of colour under the public eye. From Earl Loyd breaking the color barrier in the NBA to Hattie McDaniel being the first African American to win an Oscar, the Black community has helped diversify many national platforms. Lincoln Alexander, the former lieutenant governor of Ontario, was the first visible minority and Black member of parliament in Canadian history. (CBCnews, 2013) He opened new doors for the Black community as well as many people of colour. His legacy continues to live on as we celebrate Lincoln Alexander day on January 21st every year. Ontario extended their gratitude by naming three schools after him in Ajax, Hamilton, and Mississauga. The mark he left behind has impacted this country greatly and will continue to be appreciated.
A daily activity for everyone of any age is listening to music. Now, what if I told you the music industry is heavily influenced by Black culture. Not just Black artists, but the styles of music. What was once called “sped up blues” or “Jass” (now known as Jazz) created a segway into mainstream music for many Musicians. Without the ability to read music, they would improvise, and play upbeat melodies which brought popularity towards polyrhythmic tunes. (Osei, 2020) Rock & Roll, another widely used style of music today, wouldn’t have been as popular without the presence of the Black community. Many think of Elvis Presley as the King of Rock & Roll, but we forget to turn our attention to the Queen herself, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Her first hit “Rock Me” transformed mainstream media, and skyrocketed a style that was once known as “race music”. Her influence helped shine the light on many well-known artists today, and gave many Black musicians the opportunities to show off their talents. She accomplished many milestones. Her hit single in 1945, “Strange Things Happening Everyday” became the first gospel single to cross the Billboard race charts. One of her biggest fans, Elvis Presley, expressed his love for Sister Rosetta, and her incredible gospel inspired guitar style. (Hermes, 2018) It is safe to say that Rosetta has earned her a spot in the Rock and Roll hall of fame.
Black heritage has done a lot to shape the foundation of our livelihood and give our Candian culture some diversity. Everyone I’ve mentioned like Lincoln Alexander, Claudette Colvin, Earl Loyd, and Rosetta Thorpe have had a rocky journey reaching their goal. With the adversity and racism they faced, they remained resilient, leaving our countries with a whole new identity. Many choose to magnify the accomplishments of Black history in one month, but decades of grit and hard work should continue to be appreciated all year long. We must remember the importance stretches beyond 28 days.
Check out Rosetta Tharpe’s hit single “Didn’t it Rain?
Works Cited
Hermes, W. (2018, June 25). Why sister Rosetta Tharpe belongs in the rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/why-sister-rosetta-tharpe-belongs-in-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-123738/
News, C. (2013, February 4). CBCnews. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from https://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/black-history-month/
Osei, W., & Editor, S. (2020, November 04). How black people created all your favorite music. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/black-music-genres/
Rosetta Tharpe “Didn’t it Rain?”
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