Charles Tillman
To Shatter Barriers

Denis Morris Catholic Secondary School, St. Catharines, Ont.

 

Throughout our proud country's nearly two-hundred-year-old history, there has been a large number of people who have stepped over the barriers that society has placed in front of them to become inspirations for the masses of people who had no one to look to. The black community has had many people like this to help them fight through the racism and even sexism that has plagued them for hundreds of years. Rosemary Brown and Lincoln Alexander are two people who fit that criterion. Looking at these two outstanding Canadians, we shall see just what has made them into a light to shine on those without a way.

Rosemary Brown, who was born June 17, 1930 and died April 26, 2003, was a civil rights and gender activist throughout her life. After she came to Canada in 1951 at the age of 21, she went to McGill University and the University of British Columbia. Rosemary Brown faced discrimination throughout her university life because of her race and gender. She used this to fuel her desire for change; Brown would go on to join the New Democratic Party of British Columbia, becoming the first black woman to become a member of a provincial legislature. Brown was known to have fought for what she believed in; equality for all, no matter the race or sex, even before she got involved in politics. Naturally, Brown used her political power to advocate and speak out against sexism and racism in Canada, specifically in the education system. In 1975, Brown would once again break colour barriers to become the first black woman to run for the leadership of a federal political party. After retiring from the provincial legislature in 1988, she went on to become the CEO of MATCH International Women's Funds for three years and, in 1993, became chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission until 1996. Throughout all of this, she continued to advocate equality of all races and genders. Rosemary Brown led an exemplary life despite facing both racial and gender discrimination on an ongoing basis. By breaking barriers in both race and gender, she helped pave the way for other black women and women in general to pursue their goals in politics, and thus should be remembered for such bravery and willpower.

Lincoln Alexander, who was born January 21, 1922 and died October 19, 2012, made his first contribution to breaking colour barriers at the age of 20 when he was able to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, which formerly restricted non-whites from joining. At the conclusion of World War Two, Alexander decided to pursue post-secondary education at McMaster University, where he earned his BA. He went on to earn a degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Following his appointment to Queen's Counsel in 1965, he turned his eye to politics and, in 1968, he won the Conservative MP seat for Hamilton West, making him the first black Canadian to gain a seat in the House of Commons. He was re-elected an astonishing four times, holding his seat for 12 years. After resigning his seat, he was appointed Ontario's 24th Lieutenant Governor on September 20, 1985, becoming the first black Canadian to be appointed to a vice regal position in Canada. This was an astounding feat for any man to say he accomplished, regardless of race. Alexander used his position to take a major role in the multicultural affairs of Ontario. When his term in office ended, he took the post of Chancellor at the University of Guelph for an amazing five terms. Lincoln Alexander, rather than using a heavy tone or violent intent, always maintained a calm and level-headed demeanor, even in heated situations. His solid judgment and calm-mindedness along with his avocation for equality for all races should be remembered not only through the day named after him on January 21, but through the hope of the people he inspired with his calm words and rational actions.

Rosemary Brown and Lincoln Alexander are both people who have given black Canadians someone to look up to and to look at for inspiration. As a black student, I look at these two individuals as examples of how to advocate for equality for all without the need for violence. I hope that these two can become role models for all Canadians, no matter what race or gender, so that they may become a guiding light for those without a way as well.