Donald Trump underscores need for Black History Month, advocates say

With manyreeling under U.S. President Donald Trump's border policies, Black History Month is needed now more than ever, say members of Hamilton's Black History Committee.

The group met at city hall today for the official launch of the month's events in Hamilton. Though primarily a celebration of the city's black community, Trump's spectre and the state of racism the world over loomed during the proceedings.

"Racists are coming out of the woodwork, and that's why we need Black History Month more than ever," said Marlene Thomas-Osbourne, the chair of the committee. "It's everywhere. It's a global problem."

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During his opening statement, mayor Fred Eisenberger also denounced Trump's policies.

We are all Africans. Our history is not slavery. Our history is Kings and Queens. This is what we are teaching.-MarleneThomas-Osbourne, Hamilton Black History Committee chair

"That kind of divisive, misogynistic, racist approach is not something we should ever tolerate in this country, or this city," he said.

Hamilton's first black councillor, Matthew Green, similarly called people to action.

"Today we are in historic times. Today there is a need to have abolitionists stand up and abolish hatred," he said.

"Our civil liberties are not a spectator sport none of us can be bystanders to bigotry."

Trump's comments about Black History Month at the White House last week drew a swift backlash, with Rev. Al Sharpton calling a "listening session" the president hosted an "insult."

Trump has also sparred with U.S. judges over his executive order pushing a travel ban from seven Muslim-majority countries. Many have argued that the ban is illegal.

Some at the Hamilton celebration lamented that Black History Month in Canada is often celebrated with an American lens, with a focus on giants like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass.

But Hamilton has its own icons to celebrate, too like the late Lincoln Alexander, who was Canada's first black MP. He died in 2012.

His granddaughter, Erika Alexander, was at Wednesday's event, setting up a table full of photos and memories of the man affectionately known as Linc.

"In the community, his presence is still very strong," she said. "In some ways, it never really feels like he's gone."

Just before the rousing Lift Every Voice and Sing (often referred to as the "black national anthem") played through the council chambers, Thomas-Osbourne reminisced about the beginnings of Black History Month in the city back in the 1970s.

Her daughter was going to Queen Victoria School at the time, and Thomas-Osbourneasked herteacher if the school celebrated Black History Month. She said no.

Soon after, Thomas-Osbourne was back with pictures and information to put on the classroom wall. "And that's how we started Black History Month," she said.

Thomas-Osbourne, whose background is in teaching, said educationis the most important part of the month.

"We teach others and we learn. Collectively we are a family," she said.

"We are all Africans. Our history is not slavery. Our history is Kings and Queens. This is what we are teaching."

adam.carter@cbc.ca