They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.
It's 1967. Pata Pata is Number One on the charts. Miriam Makeba and Stokely Carmichael are in love. We live in a free and democratic society.
The Black Power Revolution in Trinidad in February 1970 exposes the fact that people are being treated differently based solely on what they look like, the colour of their skin.
Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, in my Nelson's West Indian Reader, the Transatlantic Slave Trade that forced shipped over 12 million of our African ancestors across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16th through the 19th century seems so far away.
This happened, and everyone knows. Finally, an apology from the Colonial powers would bring reconciliation.
But it wasn't all over and forgotten. Every generation has to carry the torch for dignity and respect for all.
It's 1996, and Tracy Chapman is still talking about the revolution and flash forward to 2016, and the Trump vs Clinton US election exposes what we knew had never been reconciled.
The underbelly of Hate exposes the truth we have been ignoring – the truth that we all discriminate and we use these tactics to separate, to dominate, to take selfish advantage.
As visible minorities know, this is what you live with every day. When someone tells you you're being too sensitive, or you're imagining those indiscretions, we can all agree that being ignored, belittled or disrespected did not start with Trump.
We are fortunate to live in a place where the Ontario Human Rights Code gives us guidelines to live by.
Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.
The Women's March Toronto January 21st 2017 protest, prompted by Trump's victory, we walked, we gathered, we shouted for women’s rights everywhere. Never forget and keep moving forward.
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
Are we still here? Still fighting for Women's rights, Gay rights, Religious rights, ethnic rights?
Stop racism. Stop misogyny.
MSIT NO 'KMAQ means recognizing and acknowledging the living spirit within all things, encompassing the entire animal kingdom, the spirit within plants, rocks and waters of our world.
I share this haiku, written by Teresa Fisico, which so eloquently expresses our Canadian dream:
"Sea to Sea to Sea.
Diversity defines us. The Land unites us."
"When you come to Canada, you bring your faith, your tradition, your language, your story... You leave behind your wars and your animosities”.
Canadian PM, Mark Carney, June 2026