Birthday of National Day: Canada celebrates its first Redemption Day

The decision to celebrate National Liberation Day on March 24, 2021 came after a unanimous vote in the House of Commons. It was August 1, 1834 Abolition of Slavery Act, The Abolition of Slavery Act, came into force in the British Empire.

Torontonian Edith Talkie believes celebrating this event is a way to remind Canadians that everyone should care about the struggle for black and indigenous freedom.

It changes a lot of the fact that it is now a national celebration. Such an important question is everyone’s problem, She insisted.

All the wealth of Canadian heritage is mine.

Audrey Tatioshop, a Torontoan of Cameroonian origin, also sees the day of redemption as a symbol of freedom. It depicts what black freedom really is and demonstrates the strength and perseverance of black and indigenous communities in Canada., She says.

Mrs. Tatiostop also sees August 1 as a day of remembrance for those who fought for the abolition of slavery.

Audrey Tatiostop

Photo: Courtesy of Audrey Tatio‌shop

We are very fortunate to have brave blacks and aborigines who fought for our freedom.

According to Edith Talkie, Redemption Day is also an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the abolition of slavery. Yes, I have black skin, I am an addict. Today, I am free, but how can I experience this freedom? Am I really free because slavery is abolished?, She wondered.

Ms. Talkie believes that this question is the subject of ongoing debate to prevent the continuation of slavery in other forms. Despite the abolition of slavery, we see racism continue and blacks have been subjected to disrespectful conditions., She explains.

She called for blacks and black women in general to see themselves as truly liberated. For hairstyles [par exemple], That woman is more or less linked to the image of a European woman. We do not feel comfortable when we do not have straight hair or when our skin is very dark, She notices.

To give more meaning to the day of redemption, Edith Talkie called for awareness of young blacks and aborigines. I taught my children that they are free today and that they are [doivent] Live this freedom to the fullest, She says. We celebrate it, what happened is not to continue crying, but to learn from it and move on.