February is Black History Month: The 17吃瓜 Robertson Library celebrates!
Every year in February, Black History Month is celebrated in Canada. Black History Month was created to provide an opportunity to share and learn about peoples of African ancestry, but also recognize there remains work to be done to fully integrate black culture, history, and achievements into the Canadian fabric.
The 2022 national theme for Black History Month is: 鈥淔ebruary and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,鈥� which focuses on recognizing the daily contributions that Black Canadians make to Canada. The Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island (BCSPEI) has selected the theme, 鈥淭he New Black: Celebrating and Educating鈥�. Both themes were inspired by the United Nations鈥� , and challenges all of us to reflect on current issues faced by Black communities, and to think critically about how we can stop discrimination.
The Robertson Library at 17吃瓜 is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of initiatives and activities. Installed in the library鈥檚 foyer is a display featuring books on the history of the Black community in Canada and works of fiction by contemporary Black Canadian authors.
Over the past year, PEI Community Reads has been meeting online monthly to discuss The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power, by award-winning activist and journalist Desmond Cole. Discussion questions and resources will be posted on the group鈥檚 through the month.
On March 2, at 7 pm, PEI Community Reads and The Bookmark will host a virtual event with Cole. This event is free, but registration is required at . PEI Reads is a joint initiative of the 17吃瓜 Robertson Library, the 17吃瓜 International Student Office, the 17吃瓜 Student Union, the PEI Public Library Service, Charlottetown Rotary Club, the Rotaract Club of 17吃瓜, and the Black Cultural Society of PEI.
The Library will also post information on its social media channels (, , and ) throughout the month, including contemporary Black Canadian authors. For information about other initiatives and activities, visit .
To learn about BCSPEI activities during Black History Month, including a virtual panel discussion co-hosted with the 17吃瓜 Student Union about Black student engagement and well-being, visit their .
