Emancipation Month is also African history, organizer tells diaspora community

BRAMPTON, Ont. — As Emancipation Month events continue across Canada, one organizer is urging African diaspora communities to view the annual commemoration as more than a chapter in the history of the Americas.

For many people of African Diaspora in Canada and those born on the continent often associate Emancipation celebration to the experiences of Black Africans communities in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. However, Dewitt Lee, founder of the Ontario Emancipation Month & Flag tour initiative, believes the story belongs to all people of African heritage.

Speaking during the Emancipation Flag Tour in Brampton, Lee said the struggle, resilience and triumph of enslaved Africans are inseparable from Africa’s broader historical narrative.

“As we claim them as our ancestors rooted in Africa, their descendants are rooted here,” Lee said. “Just as Black Canadians take pride in great African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Egyptian, Africans should also take pride in their ancestors who endured, resisted, and ultimately survived and chose to stay in the house of the oppressor.”

Lee said the message is particularly important for younger generations of Africans living in Canada.

“We cannot raise the Black, Green and Red flag and leave out Africa and Africans.” He said.

A clear invitation that the African diaspora are welcome to be full participants in ongoing and future Emancipation commemorations.

He added that embracing this shared history strengthens the connection between Africans on the continent and descendants of enslaved Africans across the diaspora.

“The idea is that they must be proud of the people, their achievement and understand that their ancestors survived some of the most severe atrocities in human history,” Lee said.

Lee, who spearheaded the Ontario Emancipation Month also encouraging African Diaspora to spread the word and invitation to Canadian Black Communities to their days of celebration.

Ontario officially proclaimed August as Emancipation Month in 2021, recognizing the abolition of slavery across the British Empire and honouring generations who fought for freedom, justice and equality.

“In 2021, we were fortunate to receive the support of all four parties in the Ontario Legislature to pass an Emancipation Month bill in record time. It was passed in just two days,” he said.

For him personally, emancipation day/month is much more than passing the law.

Emancipation has to be a lived experience of person’s daily life, then this person is emancipated.

Lee also reflected on a major milestone in Ontario’s recognition of Emancipation Month

For Lee, the annual observance is about more than remembrance. It is an opportunity to foster unity across the global African community by recognizing a shared heritage of resilience.

As Emancipation Month continues to be marked across Canada, honouring the courage of those whose descendants helped shape Canada and other societies throughout the Americas.

Listen to Dewitt Lee speaking with Msimulizi Community News & Sauti za Africa below

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