Black history courses hard to come by in western Canada

Calgary (CityNews) – An Alberta woman says she was left heartbroken after being turned away while trying to pursue a masters in Black History at the province’s two major universities.

Years later, some note there’s still a struggle to recognize the extensive Black history in the west.

“I was really quite devastated, and I was told if I wanted to do Black History studies I needed to go to Eastern Canada,” explained Donna Simon, a Calgary teacher.

“I was told no one would supervise me in Black History study and there was no need for it in western Canada, because there was no significant black history in Western Canada.

“To which I said, ‘That’s ridiculous, of course there is.’ When I was so blatantly turned down I actually wrote letters to the heads of departments,” she added.

A wave of African-Americans migrated to Western Canada in the early 1900s, trying to escape Jim Crow laws of the south, and settling communities like Amber Valley. Films like John Ware Reclaimed show the rich history and the racist laws and discrimination Black Canadians in the Prairies faced.

The University of Calgary and Alberta are hosting several Black History month events, but when CityNews asked the U of C what Black History courses are available to students now, it notes it offers a minor in African studies focusing on the continent.

Courses offered by the University of Calgary include:

• History 340: Ethnicity, Race and Immigration in Canada – Examines developments in and challenges to diversity in Canada from the eighteenth to twenty-first centuries with emphasis on ethnic and immigrant cultures in rural communities and urban centres.
• Sociology 375: Sociology of Ethnicity and Racialization – Introduction to the forms of ethnic and racial dynamics in selected cases around the world. Such concepts as identity, ethnicity, race, racialization, racism, assimilation, integration, pluralism, colonialism, post-colonialism, transnationalism and diasporas are examined in theoretical and cross-national contexts.
• Sociology 475: Topics in Race and Ethnic Relations: Advanced analysis of selected themes and issues in race and ethnic relations within the framework of theory and research.
• Sociology 483: Topics in Social Inequalities and Social Justice – Advanced, critical analysis of the causes and consequences of dimensions of social stratification and patterned inequalities. Teaching and learning practices are organized around social justice principles, i.e. ensuring the representation of diverse voices and perspectives.
• History 305: Slavery in the Americas – History of the enslavement of Africans and their descendants in the New World from 1492 to 1888. Themes may include the slave trade, labor, culture and religion, resistance and rebellion, abolition, and slavery’s legacy.

The U of A also shared a list of some courses they offer from American slavery to literature, and noted the topics can and are likely included in different courses depending the instructor.

Courses offered by the University of Alberta:

• HIST 446/695: Themes and Issues in African History
• HIST 450/665: American History/Slavery and Anti-Slavery in the US
• ENGL 103 topics is “Reading Race and Representation”
• ENGL 222: Reading Politics: Race & Ethnicity
• ENGL 360: American Literature and Culture: Race and Belonging in American Writing

Simon has taught across Calgary, at schools both multicultural and less diverse, and she believes in teaching the entire history with both groups.

“You don’t combat systemic racism, you teach it away. And you learn to respect people when you know their stories.”