Red Deer’s 2023 Black History Month proclamation hits more organic and personal note

The proclamation can be read below…

“The great difference between this year and last is where I can call this an organic proclamation. It was composed, researched and delivered by our own Black community and with a broader community voice. That’s what makes it so powerful,” said Johnston.

“I learned a word last year that really resonated with me, and that word is erasure. Erasure means we’ve taken a chapter [or chapters] of Black history and not paid attention to it; in fact we’ve buried it in many cases. So Black History Month is an invitation for us to restore that history, and understand the contributions of Black people that have been made over centuries to this country, as well as their cultural richness and spiritual richness.”

Datus Hall said the proclamation sends a strong message to all Red Deerians.

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“The message is one of solidarity and commitment to Black residents and communities living in Red Deer. Red Deer is the third largest city in Alberta, and the Black population is growing. This is the best way to show that commitment,” she said.

“The solidarity is needed because of the trauma that Black communities and people have gone through over the last few years, and for centuries before this.”

Johnston added that he will apply the process by which this proclamation came to be different to other proclamations throughout the year.

“I haven’t looked at a proclamation quite the same since [last year’s one for Black History Month], in terms of what people are trying to recognize or celebrate and the message behind it,” he said. “I have the honour as mayor of recognizing so many organizations and people, but the extra perspective comes when you actually do the research, digging, understanding and relating.”

To close out Black History Month, Ubuntu is co-hosting a screening of the documentary Am é lie’s Second Chance, from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery.

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by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer’s 2023 Black History Month proclamation hits more organic and personal note

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