Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom (And Whimsy)

Posted on March 5, 2025 under Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom with no comments yet

 

 

“Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty,

Let our rejoicing rise,

High as the listening skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea,

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.”

Lift Every Voice and Sing – James Weldon Johnson *

A month of reflection and celebration recently came to an end in Nova Scotia. February is African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia where we collectively honored the living legacy of Black Nova Scotians.

I was fortunate enough to witness this up close at the school where I substitute teach. There were several activities at the school and many more in the larger community. There were posters highlighting the lives of Black Nova Scotians from many walks of life. Students were treated to guest speakers like Tyrell Vernon, head coach of the St.F.X. men’s basketball team and Elder Mary Desmond. Selected classes had the opportunity to learn African Drumming under the tutelage of Robert Leek. There was an African Heritage scavenger hunt and an art contest.

Kudos to African Nova Scotian Success Teacher, Tara Reddick for her efforts in keeping alive the vision of courageous Black Nova Scotians.

There is still much work to be done. Sadly, racism is still alive and well. It is easy enough to point fingers at our neighbours to the south, but racism is never far away.

I routinely do a check-in with my students at the start of class to check the mood of the students. I ask them to rate how they’re feeling on a scale of 1-10 to gauge the temperature in the room. When they ask me how I’m doing, I always say “10”.

Why?

I am able to get out of bed in the morning and put my feet on the floor.

I am able to make my own breakfast, shower, and dress myself.

I have a roof over my head, and I can afford nutritious food.

I have a place to go most mornings where I’m wanted and needed.

I can walk everywhere without needing to own a car.

I continue to add friends at this stage in life when many are shedding.

I have the good fortune to have a family doctor.

I have the good fortune of having a dentist.

I am grateful to have publicly funded health care, Pharmacare and the Canada Dental Plan.

I am grateful for the gift of music.

I am grateful for my upbringing.

Mostly, I am grateful for my family- my children, grandchildren and siblings. They keep me honest… and humble!

And I NEVER forget this. I am SO grateful to be a Canadian. Most of us would agree that we live in the greatest country in the world, but we must not take this, or anything else, for granted.

“Sing a song full of hope that the present has brought us,

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.”

Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Have a great weekend, and to my students and colleagues, a safe and enjoyable March Break.

P.S. I hate being political in this space. I cherish the few friends that I have! However, it is impossible to stand by idly and watch what is happening in the United States and not say something. There are no words to describe the disgraceful behaviour of the President and Vice-President of the United States in the “Evil Office” as they tag teamed to try and humiliate and degrade the President of the Ukraine last week.

These are very scary times indeed.

By the way, despite the rhetoric, Canada is not broken. Canada might be more unified now than at any time I can remember since Canada defeated the Soviet Union in the Summit Series in 1972.

I am grateful and proud to be a Canadian.

*In 1919, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) dubbed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” the “Negro national anthem” for its power in voicing a cry for liberation and affirmation for African American people.