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A Matter of Equality
The long-awaited autobiography of former Canadian Senator, lawyer, and outspoken spokesperson for diversity and minority advancement, detailing his life as a Black man working within the system to bring change to Nova Scotia and beyond.
Growing up in the only Black family in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Donald Oliver felt duty-bound to honour his great-grandparents, who had fled slavery in the US. His childhood, surrounded by music, family, and respected, hard-working role models, was idyllic. His family’s fundamental family creed was “work hard, be humble, love the Lord, and do all you can to help other people.”
Donald Oliver would go on to embody those values in a big way. In his long-anticipated memoir, Oliver, now retired, looks back at a life lived in service to others. In his own careful and thoughtful words, he examines his days as a lawyer, an outspoken social activist, and a teacher, and of course he reflects on his twenty-three years of service as a member of the Senate of Canada.
A diplomat to his core, Donald Oliver has dedicated his life to rooting out the systemic racism that has stalled the growth of Canada’s Black citizens – his work a testament to the truth that Black Lives Matter. Now, through dozens of black and white and colour images, and thorough intimate, personal reflections, A Matter of Equality: The Exemplary Life of Senator Don Oliver examines the legacy of the first man, and the second Canadian, to bring the Black experience directly to the upper house.
Growing up in the only Black family in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Donald Oliver felt duty-bound to honour his great-grandparents, who had fled slavery in the US. His childhood, surrounded by music, family, and respected, hard-working role models, was idyllic. His family’s fundamental family creed was “work hard, be humble, love the Lord, and do all you can to help other people.”
Donald Oliver would go on to embody those values in a big way. In his long-anticipated memoir, Oliver, now retired, looks back at a life lived in service to others. In his own careful and thoughtful words, he examines his days as a lawyer, an outspoken social activist, and a teacher, and of course he reflects on his twenty-three years of service as a member of the Senate of Canada.
A diplomat to his core, Donald Oliver has dedicated his life to rooting out the systemic racism that has stalled the growth of Canada’s Black citizens – his work a testament to the truth that Black Lives Matter. Now, through dozens of black and white and colour images, and thorough intimate, personal reflections, A Matter of Equality: The Exemplary Life of Senator Don Oliver examines the legacy of the first man, and the second Canadian, to bring the Black experience directly to the upper house.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 13, 2022
From humble beginnings to the upper echelons of the legal profession and politics, while staying true to the values taught by his family. I knew of Senator Oliver by reputation of course, and enjoyed learning more about his background and the motivating forces in his life.
The life choices made by Don Oliver set him up for success, and a consistent pattern of hard work despite the obstacles served him well. His legacy of efforts to help others is inspiring, and needs to be shared.
The life choices made by Don Oliver set him up for success, and a consistent pattern of hard work despite the obstacles served him well. His legacy of efforts to help others is inspiring, and needs to be shared.
May 26, 2022
Very well written as I would expect from such an eminent person and it certainly helped to enlighten me a little more on the extent of racism here in Canada. It certainly shows how it is possible for one with the intellectual capacity and drive to succeed to achieve greatness and serve the people and country at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews