As a Jew, I’ve been exposed to anti-semitism only a handful of times in my life. At camp in Georgia’s deep south, there were a few minor run-ins with Confederate flag–bearing folk who mouthed off about the wonders of the local Ku Klux Klan. In Poland, minutes before meeting the Rabbi from the local synagogue, we learned that he was running late because some skinheads had sprayed him with Mace on his way to work.
My grandparents were Holocaust survivors, so I know in my blood how harmless these incidents are compared to the horrors of World War II. What contemporary instances of anti-semitism do remind me of, though, are that remnants of past thinking still exist, which is why it is so important to be educated about historical discrimination. If we know better, we do better.
In hope of both knowing and doing a little bit better, I’m trying to take advantage of Black History Month this year by actually participating in some of the events going on around the city. First up, the Association of African-Canadian Artists exhibits its Beyond the Rhythm show in city hall’s rotunda between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every day until February 10.
And, even though I wouldn’t normally venture out and up into North York from my humble east side abode for a short (two-hour) event aimed at young people, this Saturday will prove to be an exception. North York Central Library will play host to spoken word poet Al St. Louis and model Stacey McKenzie of Canada’s Next Top Model fame (yes, I am a fan of Top Model and no, I am not embarrassed!). Stacey and Al will lecture on their struggles as African-Canadians trying to make it to the top. If I had kids, I would bring them here for some inspirational education.
The pièces de résistance of the weekend, though, are Toronto’s soulful celebrations of reggae icon Bob Marley. Mayor David Miller is pretty cool for continuing the tradition of proclaiming February 6 Bob Marley Day in honour of the humanitarian and artist. February 6 was master Marley’s birthday and we can all commemorate him by kicking off Saturday night at The Great Hall on Queen West for the Fifth Annual Bob Marley Birthday Tribute. One of the night’s missions is to raise a tonne (literally) of food for the Yonge Street Mission, so tickets are only $15 at the door with a non-perishable food item.
The El Mocambo tributes Bob Marley on Friday, and Lee’s Palace is throwing their own party on Saturday night. Tickets are ten bucks with a non-perishable food donation for both of these gigs. Eat dinner at One Love Vegetarian on Bathurst near Bloor to make it a theme weekend — I recommend the sweet, savoury, vegan soup.
Chali 2Na sums up a taste of American black history in his turn at the mic in K’Naan’s song “America” when he raps, “sound clashed with the bass cuz its natural to me / but if you pay attention to the past / you will see / not long ago if you black they’d hang your ass from a tree.” As blatant as it is, he speaks the truth. Making sure history like that doesn’t repeat itself is part of our duty as citizens of the world, and by paying homage to Toronto’s spin on Black History Month, hopefully a little bit of knowledge will seep into our souls and remind us that we all play a part in preventing future struggle.
Leanne is an associate at Heenan Blaikie LLP. She spends her free time indulging in art, film, music and literature and swears that culture tastes better than chocolate. Her column appears every Friday here on lawandstyle.ca.
Image: First Day of School by Ken Daley