Halifax West High School, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Black Canadians' contribution to Canada's political system has been invaluable in shaping not only the hopes and dreams of black Canadians, but also in shaping the entire country's laws and politics that impact our collective sense of equality justice. One individual who helped all Canadians when he fought against injustice is Leonard Braithwaite.
Leonard Braithwaite was in Toronto in the 1930s through the Great Depression. He served in the RCAF in the Second World War. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto, a Masters of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1958. Braithwaite became the first black lawyer that was elected as a member of the Governing Counsel of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Leonard began his political career as a member of the Etobicoke Board of Education in 1960. Two years later he became an alderman on the Etobicoke council. He was the first African Canadian elected into a provincial legislature. He was elected in 1963 as a Liberal member of the Ontario Legislature. By using his position he was able to make people listen to him. On February 4, 1964, he spoke out against the Separate Schools Act. This was a law that kept black and white children separated and attending different schools.
Despite being the only black person in the entire legislature, he used his voice to fight against the inequality of a segregated school system. During his time at the Etobicoke Board of Education he recognized that the segregation of Canadian students was harmful to all. Due to Leonard speaking out against this law, he was able to get it repealed. This effectively changed the lives of all Canadians. He championed the idea that people of different races were not only entitled to an equal education, but also that our diversity is what makes us stronger.
As a student who attends a diverse school where over 85 countries are represented, I fully understand what it means that diversity makes us stronger. To have diversity in a school is like being able to travel the world without actually leaving the building. During my schools' multicultural week, I had a guest speaker visit my chemistry class and through his presentation we learned that in a class of just 30, we had 13 languages that were spoken. We also learned that despite these differences, we also had many of the same issues such as worrying about our grades and trying to please our parents. Had it not been for Leonard Braithwaite and people like him, I may not have been exposed to this incredible opportunity to know people from all over the world.
In addition to helping break racial barriers, Braithwaite also fought for gender equality. When he was re-elected in 1967 and 1971, he was able to serve as the party critic for Labour and Welfare. With his power he fought for gender equality and the rights of minorities. Leonard changed the way people thought and made it so that women had the opportunity to work legislative pages at Queen's Park. Leonard Braithwaite left his mark on Canada and he changed lives by thinking progressively and realizing that by moving forward the rights of even one person, all people benefit.
As a female athlete, I know firsthand how important it is to have people in positions of power care about gender equality, otherwise female sports would not be supported. I may not have been able to play sports or compete as I do now without people like Braithwaite championing the rights of girls and women. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a high school soccer team that won both regional and provincial titles this year and my school proudly displays those banners in our front entrance.
Leonard Braithwaite is the type of Canadian who elevates us all to a higher standard, and by doing so we are all held to a higher bar. Equality is something that is expected in Canada. Minorities and women know they have rights and will be legally supported in this country. We owe a debt to politicians who came before us; Braithwaite struggled for us and helped to change our collective identity.