In Centennial year, 1967, Rev. W. P. Oliver wrote these words which define the problem of what was then called: “The Color line.”
“It is quite obvious that the problem has not changed. The problem has been as it was through nearly 300 years of [Nova Scotia] history. From the days when the Negro La Liberte [roamed] on Cape Sable, the racial problem in this Province or on this continent has had two main strands, closely intertwined.
The first is the Negro’s struggle to move from the stagnant unhealthful eddies of slavery, ignorance, exploitation, disfranchisement and the social restrictions of a racial brand into the mainstream of Canadian Life; into total acceptance, in absolute equality at all levels and in all areas of common life.
The second strand of the problem, equally painful, has been the white man's struggle to retain the psychic .and material advantages of racial prejudice and discrimination, without surrendering a political creed, which unmistakably affirms the equality of all men and [women], [including the Negro], under God and the interdependence of all men as the children of God.
Progress has been slow and often frustrating but the struggle has one advantage which may prove decisive. That is, the struggle of minorities moves with, and not against, the nation's political and religious aspirations.
“It is quite obvious that the problem has not changed. The problem has been as it was through nearly 300 years of [Nova Scotia] history. From the days when the Negro La Liberte [roamed] on Cape Sable, the racial problem in this Province or on this continent has had two main strands, closely intertwined.
The first is the Negro’s struggle to move from the stagnant unhealthful eddies of slavery, ignorance, exploitation, disfranchisement and the social restrictions of a racial brand into the mainstream of Canadian Life; into total acceptance, in absolute equality at all levels and in all areas of common life.
The second strand of the problem, equally painful, has been the white man's struggle to retain the psychic .and material advantages of racial prejudice and discrimination, without surrendering a political creed, which unmistakably affirms the equality of all men and [women], [including the Negro], under God and the interdependence of all men as the children of God.
Progress has been slow and often frustrating but the struggle has one advantage which may prove decisive. That is, the struggle of minorities moves with, and not against, the nation's political and religious aspirations.
..."we will notice that in the war of 1939-46 Negro Nova Scotians were commissioned and served in all branches of the services. Thus, the armed services broke the color bar”
- Rev. W.P. Oliver, 1967.
This sets out the main purpose of The Negro Citizen which is to define this problem in it many forms.
I publish this on Rememberance Day, a day some chose to remember those who have fallen in war to protect the rights we cherish as citizens of our great nation, Canada.
This sets out the main purpose of The Negro Citizen which is to define this problem in it many forms.
I publish this on Rememberance Day, a day some chose to remember those who have fallen in war to protect the rights we cherish as citizens of our great nation, Canada.
No comments:
Post a Comment