A Bit of Canadian Black History and a Meme

Since Black History Month will soon be coming to a close, I want to share some more tidbits with my readers.

When the British Imperial Act 1833 was passed in Britain, the enslavements of Africans within the British Empire was outlawed. This included Canada. The law went into effect on August 1, 1834 and was the first North American human rights legislation.

At that time the freedom movement started in earnest. Abolishionists of all races, as well as free and enslaved Africans established the freedom movement known as the Underground Railroad. It wasn't long until it became widely known that freedom awaited those who could reach Canada. Excursions were planned with a minimum of information being exchanged between owners of safe houses along the Underground Railroad line.

Escaped slaves did come to Canada in large numbers at that time. They settled in cities such as Collingwood, St. Catharines, Toronto and Windsor. Many also settled in rural and urban areas of Upper Canada, which is now known as Ontario.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by author Harriet Beecher Stowe and was the 19th century's best-selling novel. It helped educate the general public about the plight of slavery and caused more public awareness.

The Uncle Tom character that Stowe based her book on was inspired by Reverand Joshua Henson, who lived in slavery for 41 years. He and his family took advantage of the Underground Railroad and entered Canada by crossing into Upper Canada by way of the Niagara River. Joshua Henson worked as a farmer and then helped to establish a black settlement near Colchester. It is known today as The Dawn Settlement. If you would like to learn more about the Underground Railroad in Ontario, be sure to visit Ontario's Fun Connection.

Photo Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario
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Michelle is resting comfortably at home and is doing fine. I'm not sure she's moving around enough, so am going to have to get after her. She has to go and get her staples out on Monday and Brandon will be back in school. I believe my niece, Melissa, is bringing Griffyn and coming to stay for a couple of days. If not, I will be checking in on Michelle frequently. If they do come, I'm am going to take some photos. Griffyn is getting to be a big boy and I don't get to see him very often.

Jo at Bits and Pieces has tagged me for the six word meme that was inspired by Hemingway's $10 bet that he could sum up his life in six words: For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

Here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4. Tag five more blogs with links

5. Remember to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Well, I thought about this for a long time and came up with several. However, I decided on this one:

Born a sinner, saved by Grace.

Now I'd like to tag anyone who would like to play. If you do decide to participate, please leave a comment so I can visit and read the six words that you've come up with.

When I took Meeko for his walk this morning, I was gifted with nature's music through the song of a beautiful male cardinal. Have a wonderful weekend, my dear friends and readers and be sure to enjoy the beautiful creatures of God's Earth. ~Blessings, Mary~