Document Type
Unpublished Paper
Publication Date
4-1977
First Page
1
Abstract
The following case study deals with endeavours of one localised Black Canadian group and their individual effort at “breaking the existing race barrier.” This study elaborates on the themes previously outlined and is illustrative of the Canadian Black experience generally, as well as implicating the discreet subtitles of Canadian racism and discrimination during the 1930s.
Robin Winks, author of the definitive work on Canadian Black History, wrote that the Canadian Negro’s problem of the 1930s stemmed primarily from a lack of organisation and the improper utilisation of opportunity. “To find opportunity, he (the Black) often had to go to the land of segregation (the United States). To combat discrimination, he stood alone, without effective national organisations, social cohesion, dynamic church leadership, full education, protective legislation, or a medium for making known achievements or grievances.” Generally speaking, this seems a reasonable assertion when one considers the historical development of the Black race on Canadian soil. This is particularly true of the Black Canadians in the area of Chatham, Ontario.
Last Page
26