Obama's victory has great impact on black Canadians

Like countless other blacks across the U.S., Canada and indeed around the world, my eyes welled up with tears of jubilation in the late hours of Nov. 4 when Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States. Against all the odds in a long and contentious struggle, he had broken through the great divide with dignity, intelligence and determination. And because of what he–what the people did–"on this date, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America." This change has been a long time coming–and not just in the United States with its sad legacy of slavery, segregation and overt discrimination. Racism remains an original sin in most societies across the globe, including Canada. And unless you have felt its sting, you cannot truly appreciate its impact or import. This is why many black people who never voted before in a U.S. election stood in line for hours to vote. It's why tens of thousands of people gathered in Chicago, Washington and other cities to celebrate this victory. It's why many foreigners and expats travelled to the U.S. to witness history in the making. It's why they got together in Kenya to honour a descendant. And it's why African Canadians are so elated. Within hours of Obama's victory, my e-mail inbox was filled with messages about his victory. "What a great day!" my friend Fil Fraser of Edmonton declared in his message. He was in New York with his wife to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. "I can't tell you how thrilling it is to be here as this magnificent political transformation unfolds." Then he outlined how astounded his parents and his late brother would have been to witness this moment, including that "the searing realization that black people have always been at the bottom of the racial totem pole is a reality that is always part of your life, riding just under the surface …" Canadians take great pride in being a tolerant society, but take it from me, my black colleagues and members of my family, our struggle for equality has been long and hard fought, and it's not over yet. For example, few Canadians know that slavery thrived in Canada for almost 200 years in tandem with its dramatic rise south of the border. This is largely because very few Canadian history textbooks ever mention this dark chapter. Most Canadians also don't know that segregation remained the order of the day for blacks in Canada during much of the 20th century. During the First World War, black men were denied the opportunity of serving their country in the regular army; they were relegated to a special construction battalion. Black women were not allowed to train as nurses alongside white women until the Toronto Negro Veterans Association and the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People put pressure on nursing schools in the late 1940s. In Ontario, the last segregated school only closed its doors in 1965. And as late as 1968, black people were denied the right of burial in some Nova Scotia cemeteries. The fight for black equality and acceptance was the legacy I inherited as a black Canadian. My grandfather, William White, devoted his life to combating racism as a Baptist minister and social activist. It was he, for instance, who made it possible for blacks to sit downstairs in movie theatres; before that, blacks in Nova Scotia were only allowed in the theatre balcony–or "niggers' heaven," as it was known then. My half-brother, Rev. William Oliver, took over my grandfather's responsibilities at the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, where he served for 25 years. An inspirational leader, he was instrumental in establishing scholarships for black students seeking higher education. I also had the honour of working with him on several of his adult education and black culture initiatives. We both became deeply involved in the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NSAACP). We fought constantly to bring anti-discrimination legislation to this province. We won that battle. Members of my family have devoted their lives over more than three generations to the betterment of humankind. Their influence moved me to teach, to explore business, and to take a deep interest in political reform. And I know that these efforts led to my appointment in the Senate, where I was able to help advance important social changes. I continue to actively push for social justice through my work in the Senate and other forums. For example, I spearheaded a major study at the Conference Board of Canada, proving the tangible benefits of building ethnically diverse organizations and societies. Yet, this study also found that, even today, visible minorities are often paid less, experience discrimination on the job and face unfair treatment in their quest for career advancement. As a result, many do not vote in elections. Many are less satisfied in their lives and less trusting of others. Equally troubling, many do not identify themselves as Canadians. All Canadians must accept a responsibility as individuals for the racism and discrimination that continues to afflict our country. And I believe that obligation belongs first and foremost to our leaders. To effect enduring change, strong, committed leadership is essential. That leadership is sorely lacking. Today, in 2008, how many black directors of major corporations are there in this country? How many black university presidents? How many black commanders in the Armed Forces? How many black politicians? In expounding on the "race factor's symbolic power," the Globe and Mail wisely noted that "Barack Obama's election as the first black president in the United States will not rescue black children from poverty, or sound the death knell for racism or inequality. Yet it is a profound and moving achievement." My personal hope is that this achievement moves Canadians to acknowledge their own prejudices and to become more openly receptive to the power of black leadership. Most importantly, I hope it inspires more young black people in Canada to take up the cause of equality. As Mr. Obama so eloquently put it in his acceptance speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek–it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you." Donald H. Oliver is a Conservative senator for Nova Scotia.