A BRIEF HISTORY OF EUROPE’S HAND ON AFRICA The traces of Europe’s heavy hand on Africa is still felt today in the continent. As we celebrate black history month, we must remember where it all begun. The motherland as we call it, Africa. “We was kings and queens,” a nauseating statement that we hear a lot during Black History Month. But the truth of the matter is, Africa was rising, at her own pace and in her own way until colonists came and demonized who she was, and monetized everything she has. The Slave Trade undermined the ‘Gold Coast’ economy …

BURKINABAE guitarist MAKES RIPPLES IN MONTREAL Rosie AWORI “My only option is success.” Young, up and coming Montreal Afro-pop Urban Reggae artist Kenzow is resolute as he speaks to the CONTACT about his musical career. He was born Kenzy Ouedraogo to the famous African producer Idrissa Ouedraogo in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.  He came to Montreal on a soccer scholarship in January 2016, but two semesters in, he sustained an injury that left him unable to play. While recuperating, he decided to try his hand at playing the guitar to pass the time. He soon became captivated by …

Lighter skinned women are considered more beautiful, more likely to succeed and most likely to be married. Light skin is the right skin. Black is closer to sin. Words that are likely to be heard in jest or sometimes with serious under-tones on the streets in almost every country across the African continent. That’s why in many parts of the continent, lighter skinned women are considered more beautiful, more likely to succeed and most likely to be married. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products on a regular basis. They are followed by …

Play tackles real life issues Rosie Awori Illustrating the real-life challenges of immigration, income inequality, and fears of violence in our schools is what the play the In-Between offers to audiences. It was written by award winning Canadian playwright, Marcus Youssef, who also wrote the critically-acclaimed 2014 play “Jabber.” The multi talented director and actor, Mike Payette, directs the play. The In-Between follows Lily who feels trapped when a conflict breaks out between her best friend Brit and the guy she likes Karim, after  students share racist, anti-Muslim memes. The misunderstanding leads to a school lockdown and Lily finds herself …

How  FRANCE UNDERDEVELOPed AFRICA Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, recently criticized France’s policy in Africa in response to the migrant crisis in Europe. He is quoted as saying, “If we have people who are leaving Africa now it’s because some European countries, and France in particular, have never stopped colonizing Africa and its colonial-style policies in Africa are “impoverishing” Africans.” It could be assumed that the economic standing of France bothers Italy, as France is on one of the world super economies. Nonetheless comments France under developing its former colonies have been repeated for sometime and therefore beg …

Rosie AWORI Between January 25 and 29, Maison Haiti will shine the spotlight on Black arts and culture at the first Afro Urban Festival showcasing visual arts, cinema, music, fashion, dance, and literature. The 3-day extravaganza, themed “TRACES AND PRESENCES” will also feature performances by  a line up of big-name artists including: Dakka, Waahli, Salimo, Dice B. Sylphr, Sai Swari, Janice, Veeby and Goofy, and others. Another highlight will be the screening of Black filmmaker Henry Pardo’s Black Wealth Matters, ground-breaking documentary highlighting the challenges of building wealth in our community. The event is coordinated by community activist and spoken-word …

  Rosie Awori   On January 26, three of Montreal’s top gospel performers will be lending their voices to help students at Denham Town Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica.   Zina Edwards, Sophia Sinclair-Campbell and Mark Henry, will be performing at a concert at the Jamaica Association of Montreal proceeds will go towards providing helping students access eye examinations and towards the purchase of computers for the school. , Sophia Sinclair-Campbell has over two decades of entertaining experience across North America. Her music has touched and empowered millions. She says icons such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Shirley Caesar and …

Roise AWORI One thing leads to another is a unique composition created by Maja Ardal. Based on the neuroscience of learning; how we learn after we are born. Maja researched the neuro science of learning after which she got together with some performers and trained them how to sing in a way babies would enjoy and be captivated. Then they begun using props and toys to address all the baby’s senses. The performance is sure to engage, stimulate and delight baby and parent or adult companion alike. Participants will be asked to remove footwear and sit on floor pillows, enabling …

GUINEA LEGALISES POLYGAMY According to the new Guinean civil code adopted by parliament on  December 29, 2018; “Marriage can be concluded either under the regime of monogamy; under the regime of polygamy limited to four women. If a person fails to subscribe to one of the options provided for in this article, the marriage is presumed to be under the regime of polygamy.” The legalisation of polygamy has provoked an outcry amongst the Guinean citizenry. Many of who feel that the practice undermines women’s dignity and increases the risks of diseases and poverty. Previously, polygamy was prohibited for civil marriages …

States must ensure that people who lack regular immigration status have access to essential health care services By Rosie Awori A joint collective of concerned groups have come together to call on the federal government to act on the landmark United Nation Human Rights Committee’s (UNHRC) decision on health care access for migrants. On August 14, the UNHRC condemned Canada for denying access to essential health care on the basis of immigration status based on the case of Nell Toussaint. The ruling declared that in protecting the right to life, states ought to ensure that people who lack regular immigration …