Unearthing Untold Stories ft. Dr. Lynn Jones and Dr. Afua Cooper.

by Itai Kuwodza

In human history, the storyline of African heritage stands as an essential and neglected thread, preserving Black experiences through time and continents. In Canada Black history, identity, and experience are overlooked beyond Black communities. Preserving African heritage in Canada reflects the resilience of a community determined to be remembered, celebrated, and restored. In this episode Dr. Lynn Jones impresses upon us that community is universal, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences, particularly for Black people who for centuries were stolen, displaced, and oppressed. Recognizing this, we embark on a journey back to the beginning, to the roots that bind us all and the subjugation that stole it. For African Nova Scotians, Black Canadians, and Black people alike, our identity is not merely a matter of descent; it is an affirmation of our African heritage. In a world shaped by colonial legacies and imperial conquests, acknowledging our shared history is vital to understanding the complexities of our present reality.

However, confronting this history is not without its challenges for white Canadians. Our second guest Dr. Afua Cooper describes a blanket of silence that shrouds the ugly truth of African heritage, by relegating it to the margins of public discourse in favour of a kind lie. The legacy of slavery remains a topic often suppressed and overlooked. Yet, within this silence lies the seeds of resilience in the uncovering of stories and silenced voices waiting to be unearthed by the likes of our guests committed to preserving our collective memory. Enter the Lynn Jones Collection—hope in the middle of conscious erasure. This work came out of a desire to combat the loss of our stories. This collection stands as a symbol of activism and advocacy within community often shared around kitchen tables.

Dr. Coopers untold stories begin before the collection as she unearths the stories of Simon Peters and Marie-Joseph Angélique and shares them in this episode. The stories shared here serve as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path forward towards a more inclusive and equitable future. They remind us that the fight for justice and equality is not confined to the pages of history but is an ongoing struggle that demands our collective action and solidarity.

In this episode, preserving our past takes centre stage, as Dr. Jones and Dr. Cooper impress upon us that there is work that has been done, a foundation has been built, and young people need to get involved. A more compassionate future is on the horizon as we begin to comprehend that our stories bind us together. Our LCCS parting words encourage you to cherish these stories, preserve them, and share them within and beyond our community, for in doing so, we honour the legacy of those who came before us.