Wednesday, September 19, 2007

A new dream, a new beginning

So another school year has begun and I'm well into the academic trance that all students get into when September approaches. I've established my goals and given myself resolutions for this year but as well all know, because I'm a normal 19 year old male those resolutions don't last past september 30, the last day of the month. The weather here in this little town of North Bay, Ontario, where this minor university is located is fairly warm with temperatures slightly dipping in the cool evenings due to very near Lakes. Though things are flowing freely without any hazards in the way, something feels different. There’s a scent in the air around me these days that has got me in wondrous bliss. The African Canadian Cultural Club, it must be, this after all, what else can bring such excitement into my life at this stage of the year (maybe soccer and basketball).

What is the African Canadian Cultural Club or ACCC? It is a new beginning, a new dream, a huge step for the students of Nipissing University and the inhabitants of the City of North Bay. This little community is about to be shook with a new approach to the way diversity is handled. Diversity is not a baby that needs to be cradled nor is it an egg that needs to be wrapped in pounds of protecting foam; it is a force that needs to be understood, accepted, and devoured like it was a sugar filled treat.

The main purpose of this club is to educate! It is going to educate us all on the cultural, economical, political, and social matters that affect African Canadians in our society. The first thing I had to teach people about was the meaning of the words African Canadian. It doesn’t mean the club is for Africans and Canadians only nor does it mean it’s for Africans in Canada; you’ll be surprised at how much controversy this name has caused. I felt like I was in grade 8 all over again with people bickering and crying about the name…what about the PURPOSE of the club…is that not important? With all great things come great obstacles and I’m glad to say that this discussion on the name of the club has disappeared, of not, died down.Another problem that is still in our way, and I believe will be for a fairly long while until people are educated through this club, is that the ACCC is not a Black Only Club because if it was then it would have been named Black Only Club. There is no discrimination at all represented by the club or its executives, in fact, the more diverse this club is (in terms of the membership), the greater our accomplishments will be.

But enough with the bad news, lets get to the good stuff already! Firstly, I am happy to say that on the third day of recruitment for the ACCC we have gotten 58 members! This is extremely good news for the beginning stage of this association because the one thing we need is the support of the student body because without it, I must admit, we will crumble. Secondly, my position right now as President is at a standstill. I am awaiting the decision of NUSU (Nipissing University Student Union) to determine whether or not they will umbrella the ACCC and give us funding. We have provided a strong case and I truly believe that we will gain the support of NUSU’s executive body. And thirdly, the first projected club meeting is set for Monday, September 24, 2007 the time and place has not been concluded as of yet.

The activities that have been laid out are not cemented and therefore sharing them now in detail will be unnecessary but I will give some of the activities planned so far. The major project for this inaugural year is Nipissing University’s first ever black history month presentation/celebration! This is still in the works and will be a great time for all. There are a number of bake sales which will be used to raise money as well as a fashion/talent show. The speaker series and debates will generate a lot of academic fellows and will bring a lot of opinions to the table.

This club is magnificent and in the long run will benefit the whole world. I will continue to keep all my fellow bloggers and readers in the know as this wonderful idea progresses.
“A journey of a thousand steps begin with just ONE”
“ACCC: We have a dream”

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Friday, September 7, 2007

The Minority


Before coming to North Bay, Ontario for school, I had never considered myself as a minority. Infact, I considered myself apart of the majority because living in Brampton, east of Toronto, I saw many people and things that I could relate to as well as be apart of. Now that I'm living here in the northern parts of Ontario there are a lot of things that I do not and cannot relate to; like what? Well, I cannot say to myself that it's Friday night so I'm going to get a nice, fresh and clean hair cut at the barber shop because there are no barber shops...well not the kinds that cut "black hair".

I remember walking into First Choice Hair Cutters ( a "white hair" barber shop/salon), and being asked by one of the lady barbers "umm, are you here for a cut"? WELL DUHH!!! I wouldn't walk into a restaurant if i didnt want food, would I? But, I don't blame her, especially after conversing for a little while and realizing that no one there had ever cut a black person's hair before so they couldn't cut mine. I appreciated the honesty because I didn't want to be an experiment for anyone. Not being able to get a hair cut is not the only thing that has made me realize that I am a minority, I take a look at myself and I can plainly see that I'm different from most people around me...I'm black (or as I like to say, sweet chocolate complexioned, hehe).


In 2005 I could count all the black people that I had seen in North Bay with my ten fingers and one toe but it's 2007 and I can't go anywhere without coming across an African American. It seemed like it was only international students who came to the city for schooling but not anymore, there are many people coming from the big cities in Canada like Toronto, Ottawa, Peterborough, and London.

It is almost three years now from the day I first set foot in North Bay and I can proudly say that I have not come across a vivid racist individual. The people here are extremely nice, maybe a tad bit too nice which can be scary at times, and despite the constant 2 minute stares I recieve from by-passers I don't have much to complain about. So far being a minority hasn't brough to me the hardships that most people of minority face but I still miss being a majority. I miss the all black stores (the african and jamaican restaurants), the black television stations (BET/CTS), and most of all I miss the black churches, the one place that made me feel loved and apprecited no matter what I was going through! I miss the barber shops and the juicy conversations that are brought up. I miss the ghettos, the gangsters who walk around town with their pants sagging and chests out. I miss the slang that I hear and speak. I miss the multiculturalism that I saw everyday when in Brampton. I miss the majority. I feel different here but the feeling is good. I'm accepted and appreciated just as I am back in my home town. I guess I'm not an ordinary minority.
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