Emancipation Day, August 1, 2021
The JLP recognizes Emancipation Day in Canada. Though Upper Canada/Ontario passed an Act Against Slavery in 1793, the act did
not actually free a single enslaved person. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 abolished enslavement of those under six, but required those over the age of six to become unpaid “apprentices” to the people who had enslaved them. Full emancipation was finally achieved only in the mid-1830s.
Emancipation Day was declared in the House of Commons on March 24, 2021.
Black communities have kept the stories and history of slavery in Canada alive over more than 200 years. It is past time to celebrate, recognize and uplift these stories of trial, defiance, resistance, and victory throughout Canadian history. When we work toward dismantling racism, recognizing emancipation is a place to start naming the forgotten pasts of marginalized people in Canadian history
The JLP is proud to offer workshops and guided discussions that examine these overlooked histories and invite participants to explore how to foster awareness and reparation in a contemporary context.
Visit our guided discussions page or our workshops page for more information.
Photo by Oladimeji Odunsi on Unsplash.com