(Name-mce) ListServ Canada’s first black Governor General and Mayann Francis, Nova Scotia’s first black lieutenant-governor,

[Bill Howe]

  Published: 2007-02-13
2007 The Halifax Herald Limited

An 'amazing' vice-regal visit

Governor General's passionate speech captivates crowd

By SHERRI BORDEN COLLEY Staff Reporter

Geraldine Browning, a Gibson Woods elder, grew up in an era when it was
acceptable to deny blacks schooling, employment and service because of the
colour of their skin.

That's why she was overcome with emotion Monday night when she sat two rows
behind Michaelle Jean, Canada's first black Governor General and Mayann
Francis, Nova Scotia's first black lieutenant-governor, during an historic
night at the Black Cultural Centre in Dartmouth.

"I'm on a high, it's amazing," Mrs. Browning said. "I never thought there
would be either one in my lifetime."

Mrs. Browning said she fought back tears during Ms. Jean's impassioned
speech.

"We cannot forget the past, we have to remember how far we've come," Mrs.
Browning said.

Ms. Jean captivated the packed room as she shared her knowledge of the
hundreds of Black Loyalists who sacrificed their lives to defend what would
eventually become Canadian Confederation, and the black settlers and slaves
who "were the backbone of the labour force" that helped build Halifax.

Her speech addressed the tragic past of black slaves and settlers, as well
as their determination to survive.

"It is very hard for me to contain my emotions, as I look into your eyes and
see them glowing with the rich heritage that you all share," Ms. Jean said.

Her installation as the first black Governor General of Canada, Ms. Jean
said, "would not have been possible if it were not for the struggle of your
ancestors.

"Against all odds, they lifted themselves up from the miry clay of racism
and segregation so that all Canadians could stand firmly on the solid rock
of freedom and justice," she said.

Ms. Jean called Ms. Francis a trailblazer in the field of human rights,
health and law. She also saluted the late Portia White, an internationally
acclaimed singer; Viola Desmond, a black Nova Scotian who refused to sit in
the "coloured section" of a New Glasgow movie house; and Nova Scotia and
Order of Canada recipients, playright Walter Borden and professor Wanda
Thomas Bernard.

As part of her first official visit to Nova Scotia, Ms. Jean and her
husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, visited the centre to celebrate African
Heritage Month. They will likely not forget the warm welcome they received.
At times, the event felt more like a lively church service.

When the Hallelujah Praise Choir from Saint Thomas United Baptist Church in
North Preston raised the roof with their rendition of My God is an Awesome
God, it appeared Ms. Jean wanted to stand up with the rest of the crowd.
Instead, she gracefully sat in her chair and clapped along.

At one point in her speech, Ms. Jean even asked "Can I get a witness,
somebody," a common question black preachers ask their worshippers. Some in
the audience answered with an "Amen."

After the event, Sylvia Parris, a multicultural education consultation with
the Department of Education, said the strength and success of Ms. Jean and
Ms. Francis shows youth that the possibilities are available to them as
well.

When she grew up in the 70s in a tiny black community in Mulgrave, "No one
ever dreamed of this as a possibility," she said.

( sborden at herald.ca<http://thechronicleherald.ca/"mailto:sborden@herald.ca">
)





-- 
Bill Howe
http://www.billhowe.org

Multicultural Educators to China Summer 2007 Trip -
http://www.billhowe.org/china2007.htm

Past-President
National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME)
http://www.nameorg.org