Guelph Black Heritage Society raises Emancipation flag

GUELPH – The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) held a ceremony at Heritage Hall on Aug. 20 to mark Emancipation Month and to raise the Emancipation flag.

Dewitt Lee, founder of Emancipation Month, has been touring the flag through southern Ontario.

He also played a critical role in getting the province to pass a 2021 law, Bill 75, which marks August as Emancipation Month, with assistance from Guelph MPP and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.

All political parties came together to support the bill, which passed first, second and third reading in a day, and received Royal Assent the following day.

“Emancipation Month is a gift to people of African descent,” Lee said.

“It gives me great honour to be here on these historical grounds in Guelph.”

Aug. 1, 1834, is the date the Slavery Abolition Act took effect throughout the British Empire.

Aug. 20, 1619, is the date associated with the arrival of the first captive Africans to English-occupied mainland North America at Point Comfort, Virginia.

And Aug. 28, 1833, is the day when the Slavery Abolition Act, 1833 received Royal Assent.

These dates are why Emancipation Month is celebrated in August.

But rather than dwell on the harms to those who were enslaved and their descendants, Emancipation Month celebrates the strength, resilience, courage and endurance of those who fought for freedom, officials say.

“It’s a sacred time of reflection,” said Denise Francis, GBHS program coordinator.

“August is an opportunity to talk about how the struggle for freedom exists today,” added Schreiner. “It didn’t end in 1834.

“We need to make sure everyone has justice and freedom, and to honour the freedom fighters.”

Lee explained the symbolism in the Emancipation flag:

• red represents the blood that was shed;
• black represents a time before slavery, when Black people could travel the world and were captains of their own ships; and
• green is for the land.

The yellow symbol in the centre is the Fawohodie, a symbol of freedom, independence, emancipation, self-determination and self-government.

Lee also directed comments to several children at a GBHS summer camp who were in attendance.

“Here’s your word of the day: steadfast,” he said.

He noted historical Black figures were steadfast in their fight for freedom and equality and they often turned to their faith to help them live through their hurt and pain.

“But there are trailblazers in our community today. Speak with them," he said. "Study history, yes, but we also have history-makers among us.”

Lee invited the children to carry the flag to the flagpole and be part of the ceremony.

“This is an overwhelming thing,” he said. “We are breaking new ground and giving it to the next generation on their emancipation journey.”