Since our country officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1995, governments, organizations and individuals have used this month to honour the traditions, accomplishments, heritage and culture of Black people, as well as educate people about Black history.
Over the years, CUPW’s Human Rights Committee has overseen the creation of posters and bulletins highlighting Black settlers across the country and celebrating honourable Black Canadians including Albert Jackson, the first Black postal worker.
2020 brought new challenges and highlighted existing ones. Black people were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with studies showing that Black Canadians became sick and were hospitalized due to the virus more than other ethnic groups.
It was also the year which reignited the call to end systemic racism and dismantle systems of oppression. The call was made following high profile and recorded incidents of police murdering unarmed Black people in the United States. As we have mentioned before, Canada is not immune to this type of targeted and racist violence.