Black History Month luncheon encourages education through food
By Fred Michah Rynor
For close to fifteen years OISE students, faculty and staff have been invited to the annual Division of University Advancement Black History Lunch Celebration to recognize Black History Month in Canada.
Glen Boothe, an Information Services Officer for the Division of University Advancement (DUA) and one of the founders of the lunch (held February 28th at University College) helped welcome over a hundred eager diners interested in learning more about traditional dishes enjoyed by generations of Canada’s black communities.
The luncheon, open to the advancement community and invited members of campus, had tables groaning with such delights as jerk chicken and pork, curried goat, stews, callaloo, ox tail, rice and peas, pelau, fried plantain, etc., from African, Caribbean, Spanish, South Asian, South American, East Asian and other demographics.
“It was an absolute success,” stated Boothe who has worked at U of T for fifteen years. Sponsored by DUA and presented by a host of volunteers who organize, cook and oversee all aspects of the lunch, “it brings together a diverse group of cultures from across the campuses who come together and celebrate as one.”
Among the celebrants were David Palmer, U of T’s Vice President of Advancement, Deborah Simon-Edwards, Executive Director of Finance and Administration for the DUA and guest speaker The Hon. Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner of Ontario and an OISE grad who spoke on the importance of such gatherings to encourage dialogue and understanding.
"The Black History Month Luncheon is an important reminder to all of the many contributions made by ethnic cultures both on and off campus," said Simon-Edwards, an integral member of the luncheon’s organizing committee who was born in Trinidad.
"We gather every year to celebrate the diversity that makes our university and our country a better place to study, work and live. It's a party atmosphere at the lunch but I see it as an educational tool as well."
It was Boothe and a group of co-workers who realized years ago that there was no organized recognition of Black History Month within the division where they worked and this motivated them into action said Boothe who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica.
“Our division is considered a central campus hub with high visibility and I figured this made it an ideal location to champion multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Using food and indigenous music always helps create an inspirational, inclusive, educational and entertaining event… after all, everyone relates to food and fun.”
Black History Month was first celebrated in Canada in the 1950s through the auspices of the Canadian Negro Women’s Association. However, it would take close to half a century before it was recognized nationally when, in 1995, Jean Augustine, M.P.; Dr. Dan Hill, Founding Director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission; Canadian citizenship judge Stanley Grizzle; Senator Donald Oliver; the Ontario Black History Society and others pushed for it to be acknowledged officially through the House of Commons.
Today, the luncheon has grown by leaps and bounds with all levels of staff taking part and Boothe says it’s because of this annual party that other Black History Month initiatives have sprung up throughout U of T.
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