Revolution Remix: Systemic Racism and Black Empowerment Movements in 1960s Canada

The 1960s were pivotal years in the history of people of African descent living throughout the diaspora. It was a time of self-knowledge, nationalism, collective consciousness, and protesting the inequalities and injustices people faced in society based on their race. 

There were many significant events that occurred in this context in Canada, such as the Congress of Black Writers, held at McGill University in 1968, and the protest at Sir George Williams University in Montréal in 1969. These two historic moments were powerful symbols of the struggle for civil rights, liberation, and equality, and were part of a broader movement for social change. The story of these events is not just about policies and protests, but also about the lives and experiences of individuals like Rocky Jones, Rosie Douglas, Stokely Carmichael, Brenda Dash, Rodney John, and many others who bravely fought against injustice. 

Both events took place at universities, which were not just places of learning but also sites of struggle. Students at these universities experienced exclusion, oppression and suppression based on their ethnicity. However, it was also at these universities that the seeds of change were sown.  

The events at McGill University and Sir George Williams University directly resulted from the civil rights movement. This movement, characterized by sit-ins, boycotts, protest marches, and the testing of loyalties, aimed to address social injustices and create a more equitable society. These events disrupted the status quo and the hopes and dreams of young people beginning their university journey. Their sacrifice paved the way for others who continue to follow in their footsteps, working to create a society where justice and equality prevail. 

This package was written by dedicated and talented educators Monique James and Eileen James. It was inspired by the content explored in CBC’s documentary series, Black Life: Untold Stories, and made possible through the Black Life Impact Foundation’s educational engagement initiative. It uses research, narratives and objects from episode 2 of the series, titled “Revolution Remix,” to examine systemic racism in Canada during the 1960s.  

This package acknowledges and examines a period in Canadian history that displays injustices and the trauma that systemic racism can have on the human spirit. 

Please note that this package discusses topics that some readers may find upsetting, such as racism and discrimination. We recommend that teachers read through all content before sharing it with their students.