Black History Month

February is Black History Month in Canada and America. Black History Month is October in Britain. In honour of Black History Month, I have created a collage.

The person playing a trumpet in the top left corner of the collage is Louis Armstrong.

Just below Louis Armstrong, under his trumpet's bell, is Malcolm X.

Next to Louis Armstrong, on the top right side of the collage, is Frederick Douglass.

Next to Frederick Douglas is a man wearing dreadlocks, called Bob Marley. Bob Marley is playing a guitar and singing. I think many of you know Bob Marley because he is a very famous Reggae musician.

Next to Bob Marley is Marcus Garvey. Marcus Garvey is a National Hero of Jamaica. A reggae musician called Burning Spear recorded an album and a great song in honour of Marcus Garvey.

To the left of Bob Marley and under Frederick Douglass' chin is Josiah Henson. Henson was an abolitionist and has been designated as a Canadian of National Historical Significance. Henson was also the first Black person to be honoured with a stamp by Canada Post.

To the left of Josiah Henson is an engraving of slaves being transported in Africa.

Below the engraving is Michaelle Jean, the first Black Governor General of Canada.

To the right of Michaelle Jean is an Egyptian painting showing a Nubian, a Syrian, and an Egyptian.

To the right of the Egyptian painting is a Yoruba bronze bust.

Below the Yoruba bronze bust are the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. All three of these men won the Nobel Peace Prize.

To the left of Archbishop Desmond Tutu is an African mask.

Below the Egyptian painting and between the African mask and Michaelle Jean is another man playing a trumpet. His name is Miles Davis.

In the bottom left corner of the collage are members of the Ashanti. Perhaps the American pop singer Ashanti is named after the Ashanti people, an ethnic group in Ghana.

Next to the Ashanti people and below Miles Davis are Black Porters working on the Canadian National Railway.

Next to the Black porters is Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Finally, in the bottom right corner of the collage is a Black Loyalist. These men fought and died on behalf of Britain during the American Revolution. Many of them settled in Nova Scotia, Canada. The United Empire Loyalists, including the Black Loyalists, played a large role in the creation of Canada and Canadian culture. Black Canadians also fought for Britain and Canada in the War of 1812. The War of 1812 is perhaps the most important event in Canadian history because the United States tried to take over Canada during that war. After the war Black Canadians started a community called Africville in Nova Scotia.