Celebrating Black History Month means so much to me. This is a significant time to reflect on the past and present contributions of Black pioneers and changemakers in our community. It is also a treasured month to celebrate being Black, beautiful and proud. Looking back at when I moved to Canada from Nigeria ten years ago, I am swiftly reminded of my familial roots, and how many times I was asked about my heritage. I would often hear, “where are you really from? Your English is spectacular.” While it seemed like a great compliment, it did not feel like an absolute praise. Why must we consider certain people to be of more value than others based on the colour of their skin or where they are from?

As an African Canadian woman, I have come to wholly understand the overlapping nature of race and gender, and the microaggressions that are directed at me as a result. There is no denying the unremitting weight of being both Black and a woman in today’s society. I recall receiving comments from non-Black people who specified “how smart I was for an African woman,” and others implying my afro hair style was not considered good hair or attractive. Subtle racial and gendered put-downs not only perpetuate stereotypes but impact one’s confidence and sense of belonging.

In many ways, my “Blackness” and “gender” have become very visible through these experiences and become a reason for me to work even harder towards change. I believe it is crucial to recognize the existing systemic disparities in our society and actively explore how to dismantle them. We all have the power to carry the torch of racial justice and focus on creating a more equitable society for all. I am most thankful for Black women, like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, who blazed the trail of resilience in their fight against inequality and segregation. They help steady my work and fight for an equitable future. In recognition of their tremendous efforts, I dedicate my four-section poem to them.

Poem Title: The Intersectional Legacy of Women
i) Origin
Your legacy was questioned from the moment you were born
Even today you walk barefoot on split glass forlorn
Battling yourself across from roundtable to roundtable
staring down at slogans and unanswered letters dusted away in the wrong country
Something has changed you in being likeable, in the way you speak, you smile, the way you kick in adoration, your love for vocabulary is all gone
all you have is you raising your hands to be seen greater than less of your descendants who keep coming back with spirit-filled languages suppressing your tongue

ii) Equality
Bring it to the table
Your voice is needed at the table
Sing glory songs and march with freedom drums
And don’t forget what Olive Morris did for women’s rights,
don’t forget what Funmi Kuti did for women’s rights,
don’t you forget how The Famous Five stood up for the rights of women in the case of “persons”
This is rightful
Remember the decade-long struggle of the suffragettes, everything to nothing was not taken for granted
Before today and in heaven above we are all equal
When women contribute, they can strengthen everywhere
Women are mothers to life and for this power given it is clear
And you can imagine,
Women have experienced harrowing history, but we can rear a palmy future…
As we are existing, it starts from now

iii) Status
As a young woman all you have is composure
Like an underrepresented report of who you are
Now tell me,
Who do you think you are?
You are witnessed as the energy of progress
But yet they claim you are faulty today
A watchful mind wants to lock you up and prove perfection
Daringly threatened to brighten you for good
Shouldering your status as a woman, never clear on being misunderstood
You are not a weapon
You are a firm breeder
who unchangingly gives stature

iv) Get Paid
Longer hours, Longer days
All we want is equal pay
Negotiating hours, Negotiating days
All we want is to clock back in
Many years in labor and in labor, wagering cards and blighting spirit,
A woman’s spirit, take down any curse, for you are not the sinner’s fool
Uncomplaining about jobs, a woman living in penury
What else is unlike in this century?
Rooting at the heels of the counter,
Building hundreds of aprons, threads, hats, stations,
Hoping for better days before us and putting all trust in hands.

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Tosin Ajogbeje is the Senior Digital Marketing and Social Media Officer at YWCA Toronto and a spoken word poet who tells diverse stories. She manages several communications tasks while contributing to community ventures. Tosin works within teams and independently to create overarching content for various organizations.

Image by Gerda Creates