Spotlight on Black Community Members in Peel
Naya Sharma | March 18, 2021
Every February, we celebrate Black History Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the achievements and contributions of the Black community. But one month of dedication is never enough to sufficiently recognize the influence of a culture or of such a large group of people over time. Hence, we at The Woodstock thought that we would provide you with a bit of insight into a few important Black figures from our own community.
Countless Black individuals from all over the country have made an impact on what Canada looks like today. Many of these figures reside or have resided in the GTA, such as Oscar Peterson, Harold M. Brathwaite and Donovan Bailey. At The Woodstock, we want to celebrate these individuals so their significance and accomplishments are not forgotten, as they often are.
Oscar Peterson is a great example of a Black community member who has shaped our city. Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal, 1925, (he moved to Mississauga later in life). His parents had immigrated from the West Indies, and the neighborhood he grew up in was mainly occupied by Black residents. There was a significant jazz influence where he lived and Peterson began playing instruments such as the trumpet and piano. Unfortunately he contracted tuberculosis during his childhood, and could no longer play the trumpet. Nevertheless, he directed his attention toward being a pianist, something that he turned out to be very good at. Peterson was recognized with many awards and achievements throughout his incredible career. For example, in 1940, when he was 14, he won CBC's national music competition, and in the 1950s he formed his own musical trio. He was Chancellor of Toronto’s York University during 1991-1994, and in 1997 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His musical influence has become a legacy and he has defined Canadian jazz music. Today, there is a school in the Peel Region named after him to acknowledge his contributions as a musician and as a trailblazer.
Another influential Black community member is Harold M. Brathwaite. Harold Brathwaite was born in Barbados, in 1940, before he became an educator here in Ontario. In Canada, he was the first Black director of education (of the Peel District School Board), and he fought for creating anti-racism plans. He has won many awards for his contributions, including the Order of Ontario and joins Peterson in having a school named after him.
Another iconic figure who was raised in Oakville and currently resides in Mississauga is Donovan Bailey. Donovan Bailey is a former Canadian olympic athlete - commonly thought of as the greatest Canadian sprinter of all time - who was born in Jamaica, 1967. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Bailey set the world record for the 100 metre dash, with a time of 9.84 seconds. He has spoken out about racism in Canada, with a focus on systemic racism and the false image that Canada is not racist. “In Canada, it’s racism with a smile,” he said once while speaking out. This statement still rings true today. Not only is he notable for his political views, the former elite athlete is also a successful business man, with roles as brand ambassador and spokesperson with different companies, as well as being the CEO of Bailey Inc. Donovan Bailey is another incredible Black figure who puts Mississauga, and its Black community, on the map.
This past month, Woodlands has been putting the spotlight on Black Canadians who have formed our country’s legacy, but that will not be the end of it. Celebrating Black history, as well as standing up for systemic racism around the world, continues far beyond the month of February, and it is clear that students and staff recognize this. The Black Students Association continues to do amazing work throughout the school year and the Prefects have devoted their funds for Quadmesters 3 and 4 towards the Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC), as voted upon by the student body.
To further comprehend the impact of Black figures and the importance of reflecting as well as empowering Black culture and history, the Woodlands Social Sciences department put together a poster campaign to help dismantle anti-Black racism. Throughout the second floor of the school, the walls are lined with posters of a large variety of Black figures from both the past and the present. Mrs. Martin, one of the teachers involved in the campaign, says “Feelings of pride and empowerment are what we hope all will feel when they walk down the hallways of these remarkable activists, intellectuals, change makers and champions of human rights.”.This goes to show the commitment that The Woodlands has made to highlighting black culture and the impact of Black individuals, beyond just the month of February, as their contributions should be acknowledged and celebrated year-round.
Thank you to Mrs. Martin for her contribution to this article.
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To learn more, visit:
“Donovan Bailey.” Team Canada - Official Olympic Team Website, olympic.ca/team-canada/donovan-bailey/.
“Donovan Bailey.” Canada's Walk of Fame, www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/donovan-bailey.
James, Royson. “Donovan Bailey Called out Canada's Racism Problem Years Ago. Nobody Listened.” Macleans.ca, 14 July 2020, www.macleans.ca/sports/donovan-bailey-systemic-racism-canada/.
Jones, Alexandra. “'In Canada, It's Racism with a Smile': Donovan Bailey Reflects on Racial Inequality.” CTVNews, CTV News, 8 June 2020, www.ctvnews.ca/sports/in-canada-it-s-racism-with-a-smile-donovan-bailey-reflects-on-racial-inequality-1.4973814.
King, Betty. “Oscar Peterson.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 3 Sept. 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/oscar-peterson.
“Oscar Peterson.” Oscar Peterson – Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, canadianmusichalloffame.ca/inductee/oscar-peterson/.
Rushowy, Kristin. “Harold Brathwaite, Trail-Blazing Black Ontario Educator, Dead at 79.” Thestar.com, 7 June 2020, www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/06/05/harold-brathwaite-trailblazing-black-ontario-educator-dead-at-79.html.
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