Stephanie Douglas

Denying reality to protect our feelings does not help anyone. If we want to talk about solutions, it's time to focus on building political power outside both co...rporate white supremacist parties. We gain nothing by supporting the same, corrupt system over and over and over again. At what point does accepting hard truths become more important than protecting our feelings? We, of all people, who have elders who survived the residential school system must take courage and object to genocide, no matter who is doing it. There is no good guy vs. bad guy in a genocidal, imperialist system. It is disturbing to see comments from people who refuse to admit that this is going on just so they can hold on to the moral image they have of themselves and their country. This is not like a summer camp where you just happen to get repeatedly raped, abused, sexually assaulted, and psychologically tormented.

True!! At least in my experience.

When we posted about The CROWN Act a few weeks ago, some of you were surprised to learn that people have faced and still face discrimination on the basis of the...ir hair. To understand how and why this still affects people today, we’re taking it way back In the 1700s, enslaved women who worked in the fields would cover their hair in head-rags due to the cruel demands of their work and being exposed to the elements for hours on end. When Louisiana became a Spanish colony from 1763 to 1801, enslaved people were allowed to buy back their freedom under ‘coartación’. Without reparations, the black community was forced to slowly build back their own financial freedom in an economy that didn’t see black ownership as a priority or as an equal. As free Creole women of color started to wear elaborate hairstyles that displayed their natural kinks & coils, the city implemented lawsthe Tignon Lawsthat required black women to wear a tignon (scarf or handkerchief). Despite their newly provided freedom, the tignon was used to symbolize ownership (freedman or enslaved) and was a distinctive characteristic used to identify those that were once forced into the slave class. In response, Creole women would cover their hair but would make it their own. Instead of it simply being worn as a cover-up, the wraps became a symbol of style, adorned with jewels, and different colored and patterned fabrics. Once the United States took ownership of Louisiana in 1803, the Tignon Laws were no longer enforced. Regardless of the fact, some enslaved and free women of African descent continued to wear headwraps as a symbol of resistance to white colonialism. Today, Black women, men, girls, and boys are still sent home from school, brought into HR offices, and are chastised for simply wearing their natural hair. While February is coming to an end, Black history is not to be limited to four weeks out of the year. Stay tuned to our page as we share more Black historical events that affect our world and culture today. Sources: JSTOR VICE See more

If you can, please help out!

Our stories have power. Our culture is power. Join us tonight for a conversation about the different cultures within the Black Community in PEI. Stories that celebrate diversity need to be heard and honoured. #bhm2021 #bhmpei

I haven't watched this yet.

Our board members Tamara and Sarah attended this afternoon's talk with Dr. Charmaine Nelson at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery (and co presented by the UPE...I Faculty of Arts). So overwhelmingly appreciative to her for coming and sharing her poignant research on slavery in Canada. We wanted to share Dr. Nelson's website as it has a wealth of information. https://www.blackcanadianstudies.com/

Hi there, BIPOC USHR, or Black, Indigenous, People of Colour United for Home, Strength, and Relationship, is a community organization on PEI, currently in the p...rocess of getting non-profit status. Started in the winter of 2019, we are a dedicated group of volunteers who identify as BIPOC, providing support to and advocacy for BIPOC communities on PEI. Our main vision is to help our communities thrive. We want to see BIPOC folks on PEI happy, healthy, secure, safe, and feeling fulfilled in life. This is where you come in. Please help us do this beautiful work. We want to: 1) support and maintain the mental health and well-being of BIPOC folks on PEI through various programing and financial supports; 2) provide education on a variety of issues, including sexual health for BIPOC peoples, sexual violence prevention, legal rights, white supremacy, mental health, being queer and BIPOC; 3) create programming for our youth to build networks and supports; 4) create a scholarship program to incentivize young BIPOC folks to work on PEI; 5) develop anti-oppression training for delivery to not-for-profits, businesses, government departments, and other organizations; 6) collaborate with and support other PEI BIPOC organizations to achieve common goals; 7) begin dismantling systemic racism to make PEI safer for BIPOC folks; and more.... Please support our vision for thriving BIPOC communities on PEI. We have great plans for our communities! Thank you for your support! You can read more about us and join the fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bipoc-ushr-solidarity-fund

Jessika Hepburn is a Fantastic Speaker who is insightful, conscious that words have power and she is very engaging. If you can, watch her and this forum live!

This is true of many areas across Canada and the United States where Indigenous Nations and Slaves, Blacks and Black communities have come together.

Reparations are essential - they are the apology!