equality – Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library

Juneteenth

Also known by such names as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery after the end of the American Civil War.

Juneteenth has grown to be a day that is observed in the US and around the world, as it symbolizes not only the fight against the evil that is slavery, but also the fight against racism in all its forms. Slavery finally came to end in the US in 1865, but racism lies at the heart of so many of the evils that still haunt the United States, Canada, and indeed, humanity. Current issues such as Black Lives Matter, Critical Race Theory, and DEI, are all just part of the ongoing and centuries old struggle against racism.

Find out more about Juneteenth:

Jackie Robinson Day

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, he became the first African-American to play in the major leagues of baseball, breaking the racist colour barriers that shamefully tarnish the history of the great game of baseball.

Jackie Robinson was a wonderfully talented player who earned the praise of fans for his play on the field. He also earned praise for his courage and determination in the face of a racist society that continued to resist the equal participation of non-whites in the game and in the everyday life of the nation. Robinson faced racial taunting and violence on the field, and untold indignities and threats away from the ballpark.

Thankfully his determination led the way for more black players to follow and helped our society move along the long slow path towards changing attitudes, promoting acceptance and tolerance, and the goal of eliminating racism.

Today in all MLB parks, players will wear #42 in honour of Jackie Robinson. However, the current political and social upheaval that is causing so much pain for so many has raised troubling questions as we attempt to honour #42. The actions of the current administration, particularly in its war on diversity, equity and inclusion, have even brought into question, for some, the viability of events like Jackie Robinson Day.

To celebrate the achievements Jackie Robinson, we also need to acknowledge the painful history of racism in America that kept men like Jackie out for so long. We need to acknowledge the racism of America that has continued to place barriers for the full participation of Black Americans in the “Great American Pastime.” Is Major League Baseball fully committed to honouring Jackie Robinson, not just with words but with action? Will Major League Baseball stand up those elements who want to whitewash history and pretend that racism isn’t an issue today?

Jackie Robinson was a great baseball player who was able to show the world how great he was only when baseball began to acknowledge that the racist policies of segregation were wrong. To do that people had to know their history, not just to celebrate the good, but to acknowledge what was bad, and then strive for better. That process didn’t start and end in 1947. We must continue with that process today.

Find out more:

JackieRobinson.org

Jackie Robinson Museum

MLB: Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day: MLB finds itself in crosshairs of DEI purges.

Bob Marley

Reggae legend Bob Marley was born on this day in 1945 in Nine Miles, Jamaica. Sadly, he died far too young, at only 36 years old, in 1981. Marley was an international music superstar who helped catapult the Reggae sounds of Jamaica into the global consciousness. Marley was a revered symbol of the African Diaspora and was a strong voice for anti-racism and democratic rights. For more on the life of this amazing artist, take a look at some of the many books we have here in the school library.

Online you can also check out:

Rosa Parks

One of the icons of the US Civil Rights movement looked an unlikely hero but proved to be someone whose strength of character belied her appearance. Rosa Parks was born on this day in 1934. In the face of the overt racism of 1950’s America, Rosa famously refused to give up her seat on the bus, as black people were expected to do for white people. She was arrested, and the resulting Montgomery Bus Boycott proved to be one of foundational events of the Civil Rights Movement.

For more on Rosa Parks:

Come down to the School Library to check out our titles on Rosa Parks and other books for Black History Month:

Juneteenth

Also known by such names as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery after the end of the American Civil War.

Juneteenth has grown to be a day that is observed in the US and around the world, as it symbolizes not only the fight against the evil that is slavery, but also the fight against racism in all its forms. Slavery finally came to end in the US in 1865, but racism lies at the heart of so many of the evils that still haunt the United States, Canada, and indeed, humanity. Current issues such as Black Lives Matter, Critical Race Theory, are all just part of the ongoing and centuries old struggle against racism.

Find out more about Juneteenth:

International Women’s Day is Coming Up!

Join with us in Your School Library as we celebrate International Women’s Day by learning more about the historical and ongoing struggle for women’s rights and equality in Canada and around the world.

W.E.B. Du Bois

American scholar and leading civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois was born on this day in 1868. Du Bois was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. Du Bois was a great thinker and researcher in many fields, including Sociology and History, and was leading Civil Rights advocate and opponent of Jim Crow throughout his adult life. He was the author of numerous works, including The Souls of Black Folk (1903) and Black Reconstruction in America (1935). Du Bois was a founding member of the NAACP in 1910, and its journal, “The Crisis.”

Find out more:

February is Black History Month. Find out more by visiting us in person, or online at tweedsmuirlibrary.ca

Bob Marley

Online you can also check out:

Rosa Parks

For more on Rosa Parks:

Come down to the School Library to check out our titles on Rosa Parks and other books for Black History Month:

Jackie Robinson

Pro baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919. An outstanding player who would go on to win MVP awards and Championships, Robinson will forever be remembered as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He stood up to unspeakable racism with dignity and grace. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his breaking the colour barrier, Major League Baseball retired Jackie’s number, 42.

Banned Books Week

October 1-7 is Banned Books Week. Come down to your School Library to find out more. Find out why book banning is a threat to your freedoms. See the books that are among the most challenged in the world today. Read a banned book this week. Read what you want to read all the time.

Myth Busting

There are an alarming number of myths about SOGI education in our schools that are being passed around in our neighbourhoods and around the nation. Misinformation, disinformation, distortions and lies are rampant. Here are some links to resources to find out more about what is happening in BC Schools and to learn more about why SOGI inclusive education is so important.

SOGI Inclusive Education Myth Busting

Surrey Schools SOGI-Inclusive Education

SOGI-PSST (Protecting Surrey Schools Together)

Government of British Columbia: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

SOGI 123

Information for Parents from Canada’s Paediatricians

We live, study and work in a diverse gender society. Today’s children and youth are growing up in a new gender world. It is important to acknowledge and create an environment that respects and celebrates our differences in gender identities and sexual orientation and expression. Creating an inclusive culture prevents children and youth from experiencing distress, discrimination, bullying and ultimately negative health outcomes. Creating a respectful environment helps transgender and gender creative children lead happy, healthy and confident lives.
Fraser Health