Celebrating Black History Month

This Black History Month, FACL Western honours the extensive legacy and continuing contributions of Black people in Canada. This year’s theme is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black history today and every day”. Black history is Canadian history, and we need to engage in continuous learning and anti-racism action beyond February.

FACL Western stands in solidarity with the Black community. As members of the legal profession, it is especially our duty to advocate for the rights and freedoms of all persons and to oppose oppression. This duty does not stop with the Asian community. As historically marginalized communities, we must stand together with Black communities in condemning violence, oppression, and racism, and in celebrating the innovations and contributions of Black Canadians. We also recognize the historical ties between Asian and Black communities and the fact that there are members of our communities with both Asian and Black heritage.

FACL Western recognizes that anti-Black racism continues to exist in the legal profession and our society. This year, we have recommitted ourselves towards strengthening interracial solidarity with Black communities, including the Black legal community in Canada.

The FACL Western Advocacy Committee has compiled the below Black History Month resource list to highlight and amplify Black voices and histories. We recognize that this is not a comprehensive, exhaustive list.

We encourage our membership to use these resources to better inform themselves of the pivotal contributions of Black communities and how to be better allies in the struggle against anti-Black discrimination. We also encourage our members to engage in continuous learning and action beyond the month of February.

Black History Month Events:

· February 10, 2022: Black Legal History in Alberta – CABL Alberta and BLSA present

· February 26, 2022: UNGANISHA – Woezo Africa

· Various Dates in Feb 2022: Govt of AB – Black History Month Events

· Various Dates in Feb 2022: City of Calgary – Black History Month Events

· Various Dates in Feb 2022: University of Alberta – Black History Month Events

Legal Organizations

· Canadian Association of Black Lawyers

· Black Law Students Association of Canada

· Black Female Lawyers Network

Black History Month Resource List

· Letter from Susannah Alleyne, Law Society of Alberta’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Counsel and Equity Ombudsperson, “Black History Month: Black History is Canadian History”

· Statement from Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, “On Black History Month”

· Government of Canada, “About Black History Month”

· University of Calgary, “Black Albertans You Should Know”

· CBC Books, “25 Books about being Black in Canada”

· CBC, “Black on the Prairies”

· Courthouse Libraries of BC, “Black Lives Matter: Resources on Social & Legal Issues”

· The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Black History Month”

· The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Violent King” (the first Black woman lawyer in Canada”)

· Kayla Smith and Charles Campbell, “Why We Need More Black Students in Canadian Law Schools”

· Samantha Peters, “We Need More Black Women in Law – Here’s Why”

· Sandy Hudson, “These Podcasts Will Expand Your Understanding of Racism”

· National Film Board of Canada, “Black Communities in Canada”