History in the Making

Alfie Roberts and v. Daniels

Back in day to the young generation may seem like lifetimes ago but in fact..it’s really just…back in the day.  It’s so easy to feel removed from a history that is really closer than we let ourselves realize.  My dad was a grown man when Dr. King was assassinated.  That’s how close it is.  And Black Montreal has a strong and rich history if we just look around…and ask.

To check out:  Alfie Roberts Institute. I asked community organizer David Austin for some more insight on who Roberts was..and after a moment of reflection and a few anecdotes as testament to Alfie’s drive, passion and heart..Alfie was described as “A griot”.  It reminded me of the oral tradition of sharing stories and histories that we as Blacks removed from Africa need to hold on to for dear life. This weekend they had their exhibition at the U.N.I.A.  showing a series a photos and presentations on Black Montreal in the 60′s.  What was particularly impressive was the audio clips of testimonies from West Indian students, Black activists, domestic workers and concerned citizens from that decade.  This has really inspired to do a lot of audio recording when the team is in Senegal.  I have this second hand Macbook  and am trying to learn how to properly use the program.   But sometimes..you just gotta press record and let it happen by itself.

check out the doc

Give yourself an hour this week and watch this thought provoking doc by Professor Gates called
“Black in Latin America:  an Island Divided” and discusses how the use of race has had an impact on how the Dominican Republic and Haiti see themselves and each other.  I don’t want to say too much..but definitely worth watching.

Almost a month before we leave my people..to the readers, thank you for taking the time out to accompany us as we add our own chapter to the history of Montreal.  We still need financial support..please donate!!  Yuh’s gunna help deh revolution, or whua?

Stay blessed.

Time to get Root.ED!

Vaughn in small rural village in Mali 2009

Hey!

So..this is the first post!  Guess I should first off introduce myself ; my name is Chris Vaughn –people just call me Vaughn (too many Chris’ in this city)  I am a Montreal native, raised in NDG and love life, culture, music and all that good stuff.  After graduating from Bioresource Engineering at McGill last year, I did an amazing urban agriculture internship with a non profit called Alternatives.  We trained for 8 months, learning practical techniques of social equality, permaculture etc… and then we spent two months in Mali!

It changed my life (as you can see by the expression on my face!)

When I got back, I came back to my amazing job as a coordinator at Head&Hands; a non profit youth resource center in Montreal.  I saw all the youth at my drop in centre (J2K) and was like….these youth NEED to experience Africa.  They need to see what people who look  just like them are doing across the world to make their lives, communities and city and better place.  I am and most of the youth that come to the centre are visible minorities, coming from an array of different backgrounds.  Sad to say, that most of the people who apply and go through these life changing internships are white university students with financially stable families to back up on.  No hate…just reality.

So we started Root.ED.  A program for the new environmental and social leaders of Montreal; giving them a chance to help the well being of their community as well as learning through amazing work experiences overseas.

This project (and this website!!) is a work in progress…soon we will have the participants up and running..with their own blogs and experiences!

Stay posted for updates, pics, and ways you yourself can get Root.ED with us.

ONE LOVE,

VAUGHN