Posts tagged ”

Rosie Awori (LJI) This year Black History Month celebrations have once again been encumbered by COVID-19 restrictions and across Montreal most events and activities will continue to be virtual. The round table on Black history month will be celebrating its 31st edition this year under the theme “Honor the past, inspire the future,” The goal is to shine a spotlight on the figures and forces that shape our culture; and explore who we are and who we may become. The unveiling of the theme was streamed virtually from place des arts on Friday 28 January. In speaking about the theme, …

My father used to have an expression: “If it don’t rock me, it don’t roll me.” He was referring to the audacity of white so-called rock bands calling their music “rock and roll.” This much-heated debate has been had among fans, music critics and musicians alike for over half a century. Throughout music history since the 1950’s, popular music in North America performed by Black people was labeled, “rhythm ‘n’ blues” or “R&B” and the popular music that was performed by white people was dubbed “rock and roll” or “rock.” When in fact rock or rock ‘n roll was just …

“You know what’s interesting to me about the south? It’s actually more integrated than any other northern city I lived in”. Singer/songwriter Allison Russell was explaining to me for reasoning as to why as a Black woman, who suffered such horrific racial discrimination and abuse growing as a child in Montreal, she chose America’s deep-south to call her new home. “Nashville’s a pretty interesting town because you’re right, there’s plenty of bigotry here as there is everywhere, but the work is being done here. I feel very, very committed to being part of the anti-bigotry work we’ve been called upon …