Special Thanks to the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association
Andrew Cunningham arrived in Shelburne, Ontario, with his family in 2017. Before moving to the area, Cunningham and a friend initiated a drop-in basketball program for teenagers. In addition to leading youths in athletics, they would mentor and provide guidance to these individuals. He hopes to continue this work in a similar capacity now that he has settled here in Dufferin. Cunningham agreed to participate in a conversation about Black History Month that was made available to the community.
When asked what Black History Month means to him personally, Andrew Cunningham says that it is an occasion when one “appreciates where they are, and everything leading up to this moment.” After a brief recounting of the Black community’s history in the Americas, beginning with the forced migration, Cunningham emphasizes a need to look at the “totality” of Black History, at the “oppressed” and the “oppressors.”
“It’s one history, it’s what carried us to this point, and that’s where we have this culmination now of looking at the total picture and saying ‘Wow, is this fair? Is this just?’, and we need to work on it to make it a balanced society for everyone. That’s Black History.”
According to Andrew Cunningham, Black History represents accomplishment to the community. He highlights the importance of seeing “practical images” in all capacities of leadership so that everyone knows what is achievable.
“Black History is more than just talking about it. We need some practical steps to make sure we have identifiable change in our community,” declares Cunningham. “It’s better for all of society when we have that, for all people.”
In terms of progress being made in the community on race-related issues, Andrew Cunningham indicates there are positive signs. He quickly points out Shelburne’s Anti-Black Racism, Anti-Racism & Discrimination Task Force and the recommendations made to council. Furthermore, Cunningham also calls attention to Dufferin County’s Warden Darren White, “you can hear the authentic willingness to be practical with the issues.”
“Council has received the voice of the community and has implemented many of those communications,” praises Cunningham. “We have come a long way, and we are progressing, but there is a ways yet to go. We have achieved a lot, don’t misunderstand. I can speak proudly of this community! We have accomplished, but yet there’s a lot to be accomplished.”
“We are all the same, don’t be blinded by the visible difference. The civil rights movement has taught us a lot. The opponents of the civil rights movement, and the partners of the civil rights movement, they’re a common people. Black, White, Indian, everybody.”
Andrew Cunningham delves further into this notion.
“In my mind, what the obstacle is, we have to look at the opponents. We can’t just gloss over it,” he affirms, “Why is there such an opposition to justice? To humanity? To struggles?”
Shortly before closing, Cunningham makes the following remark.
“Black History is ‘people history’, not ‘colour history’. It’s ‘people history’, because running parallel are oppressed and oppressors.”
Disclosure: Special thanks to the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, a registered non-profit that Dufferin’s Spotlight is partnered with.
References – Andrew Cunningham: Black History Month in Dufferin
- Rella Black History Foundation
- Wellington County Museum and Archives
- Anti-Black Racism, Anti-Racism & Discrimination Task Force Blueprint & Recommendations
- Dufferin County Canadian Black Association
Related Links
- ‘Solidarity in My Community’: Enter The Black History Month Exhibition!
- Dufferin County Rejects WDGPH Request for Assistance
- Internet in Town of Mono: ‘No Home Left Behind’
- Shelburne’s Police Services Board – More Barriers Broken
- Township of Amaranth Council Vacancy Filled!
- A New Magazine with A ‘Local Purpose’ is On Its Way!
- Dufferin Marketing Firm Grows While Giving Back
- Vaccines: Headwaters Hospital Manager Puts Family First
- A Discussion with Orangeville Councillor Todd Taylor
- Two cars go off road in a week at Rolling Hills & McCannell
- WDPGH Releases COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- #Shoes4Shelburne 2020: An Overwhelming Success
- Rogers, Bank of China, Anti-Abortion Groups Take CEWS
- Shelburne’s Deck The Door Contest 2020 has a Victor!
- A Taste of Jamaica in Shelburne with Smokey Island Grille
- More on ‘Workplace Isolating’ in East Garafraxa Township
- East Garafraxa Public Works Staff ‘Workplace Isolating’
- Councillor for Township of Melancthon Asked to Resign
- Melancthon Councilmembers Asked to Rethink Pay Raise
- Melancthon Council gives itself a pay raise in 2021
- Melancthon Councillor Resigns after ‘defamatory assaults’
- Update on vacant council seat in Amaranth Township
- IS AMARANTH’S MAYOR CURRIE RESIGNING?
- AMARANTH MAYOR CURRIE UNLEASHES HIS FURY
- Amaranth Residents Call Out Mayor Currie’s Empty Threat
- Mayor Bob Currie Protests Donation to Food Banks
- IS AMARANTH’S MAYOR CURRIE RESIGNING?
- AMARANTH MAYOR DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO RAISE PRIDE FLAG FOR 2021
- AMARANTH’S DEPUTY MAYOR CALLS OUT MAYOR’S PRIDE INTOLERANCE
- AMARANTH MAYOR: WHY CAN’T WE USE THE RIVER TO FIGHT FIRES?!
- AMARANTH’S DEPUTY MAYOR FIGHTS FOR DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
- Amaranth Council Meeting Cancelled – Amaranth Pride Flag Recap
- Amaranth Mayor’s Pride Comments & Council’s Reaction
- ‘Trojan Horse’ Proposed at Fung Loy Kok in Mono
- Dufferin County Councillor Brings Religion Into Politics
- A Seasonal Holiday Market: Places to Spot and Shop
- Passionate Outpourings, A Life of Much Artistic Verve & Vitality!
- Shelburne Street Names Will Honour Black & Indigenous Past
- Robert Allen: A Man For All Seasons
- Orangeville Transit Hub Downtown Location Gets Nixed
- Orangeville Council Wants Access to Drive Tests Limited
- NEW DETAILS ON WE CHARITY ‘EXONERATION’
- MP Kyle Seeback Asks For Local Business Nominations!
- There is assistance for homeless men in Dufferin County!
- Dufferin News Contributor Gets 3rd at McMichael Art Show
- My Crafty Neighbour has a space with limitless opportunity!
- New Grand Valley Pizza Place Opens Tonight!
- “Please…symptoms can widely range…don’t assume it’s just a cold!”
- Town of Orangeville Staff tests positive for COVID-19
- Epidemiologist Calls Out Upper Grand DSB
- Ontario teachers, exposed to COVID, may still go to class
- UGDSB TRUSTEE CALLS BUSES “ROLLING INCUBATORS”
- IS ENOUGH BEING DONE TO KEEP LUNCHES SAFE IN THE UGDSB?
- ‘Glimmer of hope’ as Dufferin business community nears second wave
- Through the eyes of a Canadian female collective
- Robert Allen: A Man For All Seasons
- Marnie Cooke: “How do you turn off your ears?”
- Streams Community Hub: A New Age For The Dufferin Arts
- Tony Rose Pool Closure May Decimate Orangeville Otters!
- ORANGEVILLE USED IN MARKETING CROWD CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
- IRIS R&D Group Responds: We Don’t Own FaceMatch
- Orangeville Under Surveillance?! What is IRIS R&D?
- Orangeville Library Consolidation: Who Gets Hurt?
- Orangeville Food Bank Has Officially Moved!
- Is The Orangeville Banner Endangering Public Health?!
- Essential Worker? What’s it actually mean?
- Discussion on Development – Orangeville Councillor Todd Taylor
- Dufferin Speaks – Hansen Development: Discussion with Darrin Davidson
- Dufferin News – Videojournalism For Our Community
- Press Release: Dufferin’s Spotlight Production launches Online Community News Program
- Interested in Being A Contributor? Apply Here!
- Have a Tip for a News Story? Let us know!
- When You Advertise Locally, You Should Advertise With Those Who Are Local. Us.
