Black Canadian Studies is the exploration of the range of histories, experiences, contributions, perceptions, feelings, convictions, triumphs, and obstacles awaiting to be overcome, of identified Black people of African descent resident in Canada. Black Canadian Studies revolves around the agency of Black people as the subject of investigation. Their stories, their interpretations, their pride, their independence, their self determination, their challenges, their triumphs, their shortfalls and sense of freedom and justice, are at the forefront of investigation. Multiple Lenses: Voices from the Diaspora Located in Canada is an essential introduction to an understanding of the experience of Black people in Canada over a four hundred year period. Through the lenses of history, law, literature, film, music, Black community organizations, media, sports, Black spirituality, party politics, labour markets, education and lived experience, renowned commentators explore through Canadian eyes, how Black people in Canada have identified themselves, and been identified over this period. What factors influenced that process? Black people in Canada are not part of imagined communities but real people with visceral connections, flesh and blood, striving to build lives under often unimaginable hardships. This book is dedicated to such Black people and their allies who, together, have fashioned meaning and hope in an often hostile environment.
About the Author: Professor Divine is the James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Chair is a national senior academic position covering all of Canada, based at Dalhousie in recognition of the unique historical presence of Black people in the area. Professor Divine has extensive experience spanning some 20 years in community development issues operating at practitioner, policy and academic levels. Professor Divine's working life has largely involved working with the most disadvantaged communities. Professor Divine's research interests include: community development in impoverished areas, social housing, community health/care, 'resilience' both at a personal and community level, social exclusion, sexuality with a particular focus on Black men and men identified as being from distinctive ethnic minority communities, international comparative studies, history of service delivery to specific communities, education and training, immigration, archival research and bringing to a wider audience individual and community stories, AIDS/HIV, and the social economy as it relates to Black and ethnic minority groups (organisations which express the aspirations of people to contribute in their communities).