Africville: Lessons in Community, Resilience, and the Fight for Justice
Africville. The name itself carries a weight of history, a mix of pride and sorrow. Nestled on the shores of Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia, Africville was a vibrant Black community for over 150 years. It wasn't just a place on a map; it was a home, a tapestry woven with the threads of family, tradition, and resilience. But the story of Africville is also a stark reminder of systemic racism and the devastating impact of urban renewal projects gone wrong. Scenes from around Africville Let's rewind. Africville was made up of formerly enslaved people, Jamaican Maroons, and, later, Black Loyalists and refugees from the War of 1812. Over time, the community of Africville grew, establishing its own church (the Seaview United Baptist Church), businesses, and a strong sense of community. Despite facing constant challenges like limited access to basic services – no proper roads, sanitation, or even garbage collection for many years – the residents of Afr...
