"We’re getting the word out there as to why our people should feel proud of their history," community leader Michael Farkas says ahead of February's events.
“From darkness to light, let us pass the knowledge to overcome the fight
Our conscience sharpened to navigate well: our untouched soul shining with a thousand lights.”
Those are the stirring and uplifting words of Black community leader, poet and singer-songwriter Michael Farkas.
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“Out of the darkness into the light” is this year’s theme of Montreal’s Black History Month, which marks its first fully in-person edition since February 2020.
In spite of what the city’s Black community has endured, Farkas, president of the Round Table on Black History Month since 2009, remains “eternally positive,” as his words suggest. But as director of Little Burgundy’s Youth in Motion since 2008 and a mediator at BUMP (Burgundy Urban Mediation Project), Farkas is not naive or impervious to the realities of inner-city life, particularly as they relate to the Black community.
“We’ve just got to keep on drumming the beat, because that’s the way it goes and that’s what it’s all about,” he says. “I’m absolutely optimistic going into Black History Month. Organizations, both big and small, are making an effort to be in sync and to underline the many achievements made. There’s still work to be done, but we’re getting the word out there.”
Farkas is particularly buoyed by inroads made in involving Black communities throughout other parts of the province as well, like the Gaspé region, in February festivities.
“We have to feel good that Black History Month is getting bigger and better. And we’re getting the word out there as to why our people should feel proud of their history,” he says.
“Yes, our people were slaves and enslaved. But they were also responsible for the riches of Africa and many empires. Africans have played a significant role in the history of mankind. We have to get that information out there. We have to stress this as well in the education of our young, otherwise they will go to different places through social media.”
What gives Farkas hope is that younger generations have become increasingly involved within the community.
“They’re asking the right questions and finding some of the answers through some of their initiatives and through their energy. They are helping to lead the way in the community. In years gone by, we’ve often dropped the puck regarding issues with our youth.”
Farkas points to the tragedy of 21-year-old Montreal rapper Nicous D’Andre Spring, who died after a spit hood was placed on him and he was pepper-sprayed at Bordeaux jail on Christmas Eve. D’Andre Spring, who went by the rap name Yk Lyrical, was supposed to have been released prior to this horrific event.
“Situations like this continue to haunt us. So there’s obviously much work to be done for people to come together, but younger members of the community were quick to mobilize here and bring attention to this injustice,” Farkas says.
“If you’re a rapper, it doesn’t help that you feel your life is in danger. Your dream is to go on stage and entertain. The jazz and blues artists from days past were almost untouchable. If you’re a rapper nowadays, you’re thinking you’re next on the list to be killed. Obviously, something is upside down here when we look at it from that angle. More than ever now, we must stress the positive and make our artists feel they can contribute to society.”
With racial profiling unabated in the city, Farkas is optimistic that Montreal’s new police chief, Fady Dagher, who comes from a cultural community outside the mainstream, can stem the tide.
“We are hopeful that he not only changes the narrative, but also some of the actions of the police,” Farkas says. “But there’s concern about Premier Legault opposing that judgment about police in the province not randomly stopping someone without reason. Change really has to come from top to bottom here. The narrative is one thing, but actions really need to be followed.
“But I do have to say we’ve come a long way in terms of dealing with the police. We’ve been very vocal about all the injustices and discrepancies that have been inflicted on the community. But at the same time, I have to say that out of all our institutions, the police have actually come a long way, because the situation was so bad for so long with such surveillance they had over us.
“But in terms of institutions here, there are others in the youth and family services, health care and judicial who are not called out for their discrepancies dealing with the Black community like the police are. There are lots of racial issues going on there, particularly dealing with kids, that are not being properly addressed, that have been going on for decades. We know we have a problem with the police because it’s so visible. These are less visible to the public.”
Farkas’s agenda is simple and to the point: he’ll talk to anyone or any institution willing to make life better for his community.
“We can’t close doors, no matter what. We will always talk. I just wish other groups, be they political or social services, wanted to talk to us as well,” he says.
“It’s not always easy. But we can’t give up. Hope is always there.”
For information about Montreal’s Black History Month, visit moishistoiredesnoirs.com.
bbrownstein@postmedia.com
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