Unsettling the Great White North: Black Canadian History

by Michele A Johnson (Editor), Funké Aladejebi (Editor)

An exhaustive volume of leading scholarship in the field of Black Canadian history, Unsettling the Great White North highlights the diverse experiences of persons of African descent within the chronicles of Canada’s past. The book considers histories and theoretical framings within the disciplines of history, sociology, law, and cultural and gender studies to chart the mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization in "multicultural" Canada and to situate Black Canadians as speakers and agents of their own lives. Working to interrupt the myth of benign whiteness that has been deeply implanted into the country’s imagination, Unsettling the Great White North uncovers new narratives of Black life in Canada.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, History, Education

626 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2022

Reviews

[Eva]

Review copy from Netgalley for review consideration

As stated in the description, one of the goals of this volume--crucial now more than ever--is to question notions of the "Great White North," Canadian-ness, and to go into a detailed exploration of Black Canadian history. There is a growing scholarship, which I hope continues to expand, on Blackness in Canada, the cornerstone of which is the work of Dr. Afua Cooper ("The Hanging of Angelique"), and what it means to be a person of African descent in Canada.

One of the central facts that readers need to grasp now more than ever is to challenge the narrative that Canada was "a more or less pure haven from slavery." These narratives were designed to add to the image and branding of Canada's "well, gosh, we're all just so darn polite." There's nothing "polite" about genocidal treatment of indigenous peoples, of residential schools, murdered and missing indigenous women. There's nothing "polite" about the enslavement of African-descended peoples in what's now Quebec. And finally, there's nothing remotely "polite" about the systemic, cis heteronormative white supremacy that, make no mistake, permeates within Canada to this very day.

Yes, Canada was part of the history of the Underground Railroad. Yes, many enslaved people--including Harriet Tubman--did escape to Canada to flee from enslavement south of the border. Yes, "Blacks enjoyed freedom under the British flag," but that is only part of the story. The other parts are ones that are traditionally ignored because they don't align with the "gosh darn, politeness" image and branding that Canada continues to espouse. The other parts are seen as inconvenient because they force people to reckon with a far more complex and nuanced history than they are used to.

Some of the scholars included in this essential volume are Karolyn Smardz Frost, Natasha Henry, Adam Arenson (who focuses on African Canadian history in the First World War), Michele A. Johsnson, and more.

Other topics discussed include Nova Scotia and one of the most significant histories in the area, that of the first African-descended person believed to have arrived in Nova Scotia, Mathieu Da Costa. He arrived as a free man and a member of Samuel de Champlain's expedition in 1604 to explore New France. He was believed to be an Atlantic Creole of mixed African and Portuguese heritage as well as a translator for the Mi'kmaq and other First Nations languages. The history of Acadians in the region is also discussed.

Later on in the book, pieces explore the effects of the American Civil Rights movement in Canada, the Baptist Church in Canada, Black Ontarians and early places of settlement, Montreal's Black Renaissance (Sean Mills), segregated schools, the under-examined history of Black Canadians on the West Coast, (particularly communities in Vancouver), and much more.

In essence, this book is instrumental in helping to shatter the myth of Canadian racial tolerance, and focuses on providing answers as to what it means to be Black in Canada today. Highly recommended for libraries (both public and academic).

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

We in Canada like to think that our history is not marred by racism, that Canada is a welcoming mosaic of various races and cultures.The essays in Unsettling the Great White North: Black Canadian History look at the history of Black people in Canada from different perspectives including history, sociology, law, and gender studies and they give a different picture, one of prejudice, marginalization, and lack of opportunity for Black Canadians that still exist today. This wasn’t an easy read, not because it was too pedantic - it wasn’t - but because it challenges the mythologies of inclusion most white Canadians have internalized, myths that will be hard to give up but we must if we are to be the nation we like to think we are. This is an important book and should be in every school and library in Canada.

Thanks to Netgalley and University of Toronto Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

[yero · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This book provided a great insight into the lives of POC (people of colour) in Canada. With a heavy focus on past history and experiences, it also described what POC face today in Canada. We learn a lot of Black-American history, so this was a great new perspective and I would recommend it.

[Emily Paredes · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a good read, not really a fan of the writing style but super super informative

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mix of essays about Black Canadians. I especially appreciated the comments made by authors Barrington Walker, Adam Arenson, and Funké Aladejebi's discussion of oral histories.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Knopf University of Toronto Press, UTP and NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although a country that prides itself with tolerance and acceptance of immigrants of all cultures, Canada has quite a few skeletons in its closets. As we learn more about the issues that face the indigenous cultures of Canada, a disturbing story about "Blackness" in the Great White North. Unsettling the Great White North explores these overlooked sections of Canada's history and shatters the myth that many North Americans have of the country.

A must read for anyone seeking to understand other experiences.