Growing up in a mixed family, it was always difficult for me to appreciate and embrace my black identity. I was protected by my family to not share my black heritage with others because of the way people would perceive me when they found out I was part black. I was always told it’s better to pretend you're white than accept your mixed race, and I was lucky to be white enough to hide that. Now that I am old enough to speak up about this topic, I no longer want to mask my identity so that people treat me with respect. Instead, we should be learning about how to respect the black community in Canada. Children should no longer feel ashamed of their race, and instead they should be learning how to embrace it. 

If black history becomes a mandatory class in high schools across Canada, children will learn about the positive contributions black people have offered to Canada, and black children will feel empowered and valued. White children will begin to feel empathy as they learn how to be inclusive to the black community as canadian’s, and create a better environment for everyone. All Canadian children will learn how to create a more equitable country by using their new knowledge of black history, and racial indifference will no longer be an obstacle in black Canadian’s lives. If black history continues to be forgotten by Canadian’s, and not added to the curriculum’s across Canada, the underlying themes of racism will remain unchanged for generations to come. Black people will continue to be unheard and misrepresented across the country. Black children will never be inspired or empowered by black leaders. They will never gain the deserved respect and recognition Canadian’s should receive. White children will continue to make racist comments against black people and not be punished. Is this the Canada we want to become?

We need to take action now. The next generations need to learn the importance of black history so we can advance as a society. Your signature is the next step to ensuring a safer-environment  for black Canadian’s. Please sign this petition and share to others. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive education system in Canada!