DiversiPro

Combating racism and all forms of
discrimination requires courage; moral courage. It requires leaders who will not only do the "right thing" but the necessary things too.

Being a "leader" in the fight against racism, bigotry and discrimination should not only be a function of those in authority. It should be an expectation of all people who are part of the larger human family.

Slavery was abolished in Canada in 1834, but one of the first steps leading to it was the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada in 1793. That legislation happened in great part due to the resistance of Chloe Cooley, to being sold by her slave owner in Canada to someone in New York.

Canadian slaveholders were becoming worried that Canada might abolish slavery, so they began to try to sell their slaves across the border to avoid financial losses. The attempts by Adam Vrooman to transport her were met with her feirce physical resistance. Her screams of protest were heard, and even though nobody stopped her transport to New York, her story did inspire the beginning of the end of slavery in Canada.

We don’t know much else about Chloe Cooley, about her life before or after she was “sold” to a slave owner in New York to save Adam Vrooman some money. She is significant not only because her story helped to usher in the end of slavery in Canada, but because she is an example of the resistance to slavery by Black People. Black People were not willing participants in their chattelization and comodification; they resisted all along in many ways big and small. This resistance by all Black People is exemplified by Chloe, and that is why she should be remembered.

Harry Winston Jerome was more than just an incredible, dedicated athlete who revolutionized his sport by introducing weight training for sprinters and track and field athletes. More than an Olympic Bronze medalist, and - for a time - The Fastest Man in the World. More than the Athlete of the Century in British Columbia and Order of Canada Recipient. He is also the man who created BC's sports curriculum, who built programming for youth in sports, and has inspired millions of young people to aspire to excellence against all odds. His commitment to helping young people is less known than his athletic excellence but not less impactful.

His name is on parks and arenas throughout Canada, as well as scholarships and awards programs. The Black Business and Professional Association gave their 40 year old awards program Harry Jerome's name and face because he exemplifies the excellence they want to uphold, honour, and inspire.



photo credit: © 2022 Canadian Olympic Committee. All Rights Reserved.