Now that November 11 and the official “remembering” of our “heroes”, their “bravery” and “greatness” is over, it is a good time to take a deeper, more critical look at Canada’s participation in wars. While on Remembrance Day we are told to “thank a soldier for your freedoms” and the commemorations talk about “defending democracy”,... Continue Reading →
The story behind the military’s recruitment of Indigenous youth
Is the Canadian military a friend and ally of First Nations or an exploiter and repressor? The military’s immense resources and cultural clout certainly enables it to attract indigenous youth to become soldiers. But First Nations have more reason than most to be wary of the Canadian Forces (CF). A recent Ipolitics story titled “This... Continue Reading →
Trudeau’s pal in Rwanda a ruthless dictator
Why is the Trudeau government supporting Africa's most ruthless dictator? After amending the constitution to be able to run indefinitely Paul Kagame recently won 98.63 per cent of votes in Rwanda's presidential election. In response, Canada's High Commissioner Sara Hradecky tweeted "Congratulations to Rwandans for voting in peaceful presidential election" and "Canada congratulates Paul Kagame on his inauguration... Continue Reading →
The plunder of Africa: A Canadian connection
As Black History Month draws to an end it is important to reflect on the European conquest of Africa. Is there a connection between colonial rule and the continent’s impoverishment today? Should the beneficiaries of European imperialism pay reparations or at least acknowledge the injustices committed? When thinking about these questions it’s important to look... Continue Reading →
A shameful episode from Canada’s history in Africa
Few Canadians are familiar with pre-colonial African cities, and even fewer know a Canadian military leader helped sack one of West Africa's great metropolises. In the fifth installment of its Story of Cities series, the Guardian recently focused on Benin City, the lost capital of an important precolonial state. At its height in the "Middle Ages," Benin... Continue Reading →
Nova Scotia’s connection to exploitation in Africa
Little has been written about the Nova Scotian cod industry and a Haligonian’s role in events partly responsible for the stark economic divide that sees most of Africans living on less than $2 a day and without electricity. Between 1600 and 1850, more than 10 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic. European demand for... Continue Reading →
Acknowledging our racist past
Where does anti-black racism come from? Can we trace discrimination today, such as disproportionate police carding, to when this bias developed? While the most obvious source of this racism is the legacy of justifications for enslaving Africans, Toronto has made a distinct contribution as well. For example, dozens of Torontonians participated in British expeditions to... Continue Reading →
Canada’s contribution to mass murder and torture in Kenya
Over the weekend a memorial was unveiled to victims of British colonial violence in Kenya. Paid for by London, the monument in Nairobi grew out of London’s 2013 apology to the Mau Mau, which included some compensation to 5000 victims of British policy who pursued London court. Britain’s small step towards atoning for its colonial... Continue Reading →
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