Focus on the future

Remain forward focused

I had the opportunity to read and ponder the articles of repugnance, apology and impressionistic portraits in response to the publishing of a C.W. Jeffrey’s sketch of Sam Slick found on the cover of 2008 Sam Slick Days Festival program.

As a former resident of Windsor -- specifically Three Mile Plains -- and a member of the Black community, I was saddened and disheartened to believe that in 2008 anyone with an understanding of racial sensitivity would that publishing this photo would not awaken feelings of anger, resurfacing of negative stereotypes and a general sense of loss of dignity within the Black community.

It is without a doubt, that the creator of Sam Slick, Thomas Chandler Haliburton, was a product of his times and his views were not unique, but the norm in that time and era. Therefore, his literary works have a place within society, and that should be maintained to educate and understand the society from whence we came, and the progress we have made. Whether C.W. Jefferys or a member of Sam Slick Committee themselves drew the sketch is not the crux of the problem.

However, the audacity to believe that it is acceptable to utilize this caricature as a means for advertising, and not realizing that the content constitutes a blatant portrayal of racist stereotyping is infuriating. Media, whether television or print, is more of a form of education today than in the past, and serves as an agent for communicating values in the lives of our young people.

To publish a sketch of this magnitude, without providing literary and historical context is damaging to the Black people, and sets a standard that perpetuation of racism through stereotypes is acceptable.

Authenticity weakened

While Sam Slick Society president Bruce Shaw wrote an apology dated July 28, 2008, its authenticity is weakened, given his prior comments that the publishing of the sketch was an “oversight;” “people have a right to be upset by the image because people do interpret things differently;” and my favorite comment, “the sketch was taken out of context.”

Do not be mistaken, there is only one context that utilizing this sketch as a means for advertising could be taken: offensive, derogatory and degrading toward Black people.

Mr. Shaw states in his apology dated July 28, 2008 the last thing we would want is for anyone to not feel welcome at a festival that is specifically about celebrating our community. It is ironic that the very intent of inclusion within the community has led to the feeling of exclusion amongst Black people.

Born and raised in Three Mile Plains, I was educated by my parents and ancestors how Blacks were forced to attend separate school, in buildings substandard to whites. In 2008, a Windsor Plains Community Hall is now in the process of being designated a Heritage Property, due to the fact that is was a segregated school. It is within this historical context that Thomas Chandler Haliburton’s literary works should be articulated.

To read that this sketch invoked tears from a member of the Black community, demonstrates that the racist role depicted in a caricature injures you spiritually and scars your soul. It is a system forever saying, “You are less than, not equal to.”

I believe that in the midst of every conflict there lies opportunity. This instance serves as an opportunity to educate, and establish good relations between the Town of Windsor and the Black community. Therefore, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The challenge is here…”



Beulah States

Secretary,

West Hants African Advisory Association