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Celebrating Black Excellence: Annual Awards in Canada 

By Lavanya Kathirgamanthan  In recent years, Canada has seen a growing number of awards ceremonies dedicated to celebrating Black excellence. Not only do these awards honor the remarkable achievements of Black Canadians across various fields, but they also highlight the rich contributions of the Black community to the nation’s cultural, social, and economic landscapes.   Recognizing and celebrating Black excellence fosters a sense of pride and belonging within the Black community. These awards showcase the diverse talents and accomplishments of Black Canadians, challenge stereotypes and inspire future generations. According to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, also known as the CRRF, celebrating Black excellence helps promote inclusivity in a society where everyone can then feel valued.   The Harry Jerome Awards, which is named after the Canadian track and field athlete Harry Jerome, are one of the most respected tributes honouring Black excellence in Canada. This award ceremony was established by the Black Business and Professional Association, also known as the BBPA, to celebrate the achievements Black people have made in fields such as business, athletics, arts, and community service. The Harry Jerome Awards not only recognizes individual achievements, but also highlights the collective progress of the Black community in Canada.   Named after the civil rights icon Viola Desmond, who challenged racial segregation in Nova Scotia in the 1940s, The Viola Desmond Awards celebrates the accomplishments of Black women in Canada. The awards’ event, organized by Toronto Metropolitan University, honours women who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions. The event serves as an inspiration to many as it showcases the impact of Black women in driving social change.  Founded by the African Canadian Cultural Society of Ontario, the African Canadian Achievement Awards, also known as ACAA, recognizes the outstanding achievements of African Canadians in various fields including education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Celebrating Black excellence through awards and such recognitions plays an important role in fostering an inclusive and equitable society. The Harry Jerome Awards, Viola Desmond Awards, and the African Canadian Achievement Awards are just a few examples of how Canada honours the remarkable contributions of Black Canadians. These tributes are not only recognized as individual achievements, but they also inspire future generations to strive for Black excellence.  

Five Influential Black Lawsuits in History 

By: Priscilla Wiredu  Black history is a crucial aspect of life that influences American norms, values, and political culture.   Many African Americans have fought for equal rights through lawsuits to achieve justice and to reform American policy.   This article outlines the top five Black legal cases in U.S. history.  Rodney King (1991)  On March 3, 1991, the Rodney King incident occurred when the Los Angeles Police Department officers Stacey Koon, Laurence Powell, Theodore Briseno, and Timothy Wind stopped a 25 year old motorist named Rodney King for a traffic violation.   Disturbing footage taken by witness George Holliday revealed that the police officers engaged in police brutality. These officers were seen striking King over fifty times with nightsticks after allegedly resisting orders.   With the footage broadcasted nationwide, the officers involved were expected to face charges for use of excessive force and assault with a deadly weapon. These charges were expected to be issued within a week.   The officers would be acquitted of all charges the following year.  Besides the distressing aspects of the case, the backlash of the verdict was also significant with respect to the Rodney King case.   The riots consisted of Los Angeles residents who reacted with anger to the verdict and were seen protesting on the streets of LA.   From April 29 until May 15, 1992, networks exhausted both their resources and airtime by documenting the uprising. Riots quickly mobilized across the nation.  The riots ended shortly after the California National Guard and U.S. military deployed over 10,000 armed first responders to end the violent and unprecedented unrest.   With over 50 casualties, 2,000 injured, thousands of arrests, and about $1 billion in damaged property, the riots were deemed as one of the most devastating civil disruptions in American history. The Central Park Five (1989)  On April 20, 1989, the trial of the Central Park Five occurred. This case involved an injured 28 year old Investment Banker named Trisha Meili located in Central Park, New York.   Meili endured severe injuries that left her in a coma for two weeks, having no memory of the attack when conscious. The unjust arrest of five Black and Latino teens resulted in them being titled ‘The Central Park Five.’   In 2002, when genetic evidence was released coupled with a confession, Matias Reyes was proven guilty.  The Central Park Five reignited civil and racial unrest in New York, with many blaming the media for aiding in harmful preconceived notions of the Black youth.   With the five now exonerated, a civil lawsuit was enacted by the five, now adults, against the city in 2003. They each received a financial remedy equaling $1 million for each year of imprisonment. Four boys were served seven years, and another with 13.    Brown v. Board of Education (1954)  May 17, 1954, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that would segregate children in public schools, deemed unconstitutional.   Preceded by the Plessy v. Ferguson case, this decision mobilized the civil rights movement.   The decision received backlash from disapproving racists and supremacists, yet many Black residents encouraged this decision.   For the next 15 years, the Warren Court was granted with discretion powers to make rulings on cases that affected race relations.   They also overlooked the administration of criminal justice, the operation of the political process, and the separation of church and state.   The impact of the Brown v. Board of Education case extended to issues beyond the educational system.   In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man on an Alabama bus, which led to her arrest.   The arrest gave rise to the Montgomery bus boycott leading to many other boycotts, sit-ins, and demonstrations. These movements led to the eventual overturning of Jim Crow laws across the South.  In 1964, the passing of the Civil Rights Act led to the beginning of mass desegregation across institutions in America.   In 1960, a six year old Black girl named Ruby Bridges transformed American history, recognized as the first Black child to enter a non-segregated school in her Deep Southern home.   If it was not for the ruling and impact of Brown v. Board of Education, the integration of schools would not have been possible.  Loving v. Virginia (1967)  A story of resilience and unconditional love, the aptly named Loving v. Virginia case led to the legalization of interracial marriage.   On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation statutes in Virginia were deemed unconstitutional.   On June 2, 1985, Richard Loving, a white man, married Black and Indigenous Mildred Jeter in Washington D.C. Unfortunately, the couple was unable to officially tie the knot in their home state of Virginia.    The couple was arrested for violating the ban on interracial marriage, given interracial marriage was illegal in the state. This law challenged the strength of their relationship.   The Lovings sued the state of Virginia and appealed to the Supreme Court.  As a result, the court found that racial distinctions were unlawful, unjust, and “odious to free people.” Many were subject to scrutiny under the Equal Protection clause. The court also ruled that the Virginia law violated the due process clause within the 14th amendment, which upholds fair treatment in the justice system.  “Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State.” – Chief Justice Earl Warren  The O.J. Simpson Trial (1995)  Recognized globally as the “Trial of the Century,” the infamous OJ Simpson trial was about the retired Football Star and Sportscaster OJ Simpson in 1995. He was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, on June 12, 1994.   With the hiring of lawyer Robert Shapiro, a legal defense dream team formed to create a narrative of how the Los Angeles Police Department’s history of lazy detective work, corruption, and prejudice against Black LA residents had concocted a conspiracy to frame OJ Simpson.   The case secured its place in

Lessons We Can Learn From Shanquella Robinson’s Murder

By: Sydnee Walcott  Vacations are intended to be an enjoyable experience that allow individuals to escape the stresses of life. However, there have been times where vacations have been dangerous.   At 25 years old, Shanquella Robinson became a successful businesswoman who operated a renowned hair business independently, called The Exquisite Boutique.   On October 28, 2022, the North Carolina native along with a group of six friends decided to travel to the destination of Cabo, Mexico to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The vacation was cut short 24 hours after their arrival and confronted with the death of Robinson.   Robinson’s friends informed her parents that she had died from alcohol poisoning as a result of heavy drinking. However, on November 10th, their story would be discredited from the autopsy report which revealed Robinson’s severe spinal cord injury and broken neck, 15 minutes prior to her death.   Five days after the release of the autopsy report, a video surfaced over social media that revealed a woman physically assaulting Robinson while a man, who was recording the altercation, encouraged Robinson to fight back.   A few days following Robinson’s death, the six friends returned home safely to the United States, leaving Robinson’s body behind without remorse. During the week of November 6 and the 12, she was expected to return to her family.   By mid-November, major news and social media outlets in the United States began to acknowledge the story and provide updates over time.   Robinson’s murder continues to be an eye-opener for many and teaches people to select their friends wisely. It also teaches people the issues that persist within the criminal justice system.   Outlined are a few lessons individuals can learn from the case:  Selectiveness in Friends and Becoming a Loner   Often, children and teenagers bully those who have a small social group or no friends. In society, having a large group of friends is often associated with self worth and value.   Those who keep their circle small regularly face ridicule from peers for not wanting to expand their circle of friends and for being introverted. However, as individuals age, many realize that some people are deceptive which leads us to use discretion and judge who our real friends are.   One of the ideas that stood out about Robinson’s case was the awareness that it brought to several audiences. It teaches us the lesson on why people are selective when choosing their friends. It also teaches individuals to be careful in who they invest their time into and trust.   When watching videos about the case, people find comments like the following:   “This is why I keep my circle small.”  “Situations like these make me realize I am much safer being a loner.”  “Being a loner has its cons, but it is better than having fake friends.”  “My family/significant other are the only people I am comfortable hanging out with.”   While it is admirable to have a group of people to call their friends, there are many who can easily betray us. Situations like Robinson’s murder remind us to be mindful of the friends we associate ourselves with. It allows us to be self aware of our values and teaches us that being alone is sometimes less painful in the long run.   The Lack of Justice for Robinson  A few weeks after Robinson’s murder, an arrest warrant was issued on behalf of the Mexican authorities and the FBI for only one of the Cabo Six.   At the time of the warrant being issued, the suspect’s identity was not released.   However in March of 2023, the suspect’s identity was finally revealed in an 18 page letter mailed to President Joe Biden, diplomatic leaders, and attorneys including Ben Crump and Sue-Ann Robinson. The letter stated that 26-year-old Daejhanae Jackson is wanted by Mexican authorities.   The letter was written after the findings from the Mexico trip. These findings include the autopsy, prosecutor, and police records that were not released prior.   With this information exposed over public headlines, the United States Department of Justice announced that they would not file any charges against the case.   This case is a reminder of how the justice system can sometimes misrepresent Black people and how the Black community has to work hard to achieve equal rights in the criminal justice system.   Despite this heartbreaking news, Robinson’s family continues to fight for justice and demand for reform in the criminal justice system.   With October 28, 2023 marking a year since Robinson’s murder, individuals can hope that the suspects will be held accountable for their wrongful act. Individuals should use this situation as a learning experience to be cautious when choosing friends.  

Token Black: How one Black person passes the diversity test

By: Priscilla Wiredu  South Park is an American adult comedy cartoon that has aired on TV for over 25 years.   America has accredited the show’s success due to its brilliant controversial take on prevalent issues, current events, and clever commentary towards people.   Its characters have earned a credible reputation for themselves. Eric Cartman, an obese sociopath who is anti-semitic, racist, and scheming, and Kenny McCormick, an impoverished boy who has powers to be resurrected.   In particular, a genius character that really stands out in South Park is Tolkien Black.  Tolkien Black is the only African-American character on South Park, featured in many episodes which focuses on him and his affluent family.   Black is an ordinary character, and a pun on a trope that many TV shows, businesses, and media outlets have been incorporating for decades in the name of diversity.  He is, quite literally, the Token Black character of the show.  What is ‘Token Black’?  The Token Black character derives from the ideology of tokenism, which is defined as the practice of doing something, i.e. hiring a person from a minority group, to prevent criticism and to create the illusion that people are receiving fair treatment.  Tokenism originated in America around the 1950s, seen as a solution to racial segregation in society.   It fell flat due to it being deemed as a performative allyship over the years.  Simply put, the Token Black character is the one Black character incorporated to meet racial guidelines and inclusion in TV shows.   The name itself is symbolic because this Black individual who has the potential to make or break the show’s reputation is compared to a valuable token one would need for a video game.   Essentially, the ‘token one’ needs to win a game of who is the least racist respective to their competitive markets.  Examples of ‘Token’ Black Characters   Most millenials remember growing up watching 90s cartoons that confronted serious issues and were simultaneously entertaining. These shows told unique stories in clever ways.   When asked, a group of 20 year olds would all identify the same Black character they recognized from their childhood. These characters include, Suzy Carmichael from Rugrats, Vince LaSalle from Recess, and Lando Calrissian from Star Wars.   Growing up as a Black child, there were a new generation of Black characters to look up to.   There were renowned Black television shows that offered a positive representation of Black families without harmful stereotypes, such as The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Good Times.   The Token Black character is a sense of hope for Black individuals who have suffered with visualizating white characters being the default, more favourable casting, and Black characters being the foreign and the unwanted.    Black viewers who get to see a glimpse of their own race in TV shows should set a precedent for accepting different races, instead of viewing inclusion as a supposed ‘solution’ to racism.  However, there are drawbacks to the idea of tokenism.   The trial of OJ Simpson was about racism and police brutality. Simpson’s acquittal was simply a tool to show white American citizens that, with financial aid and the right juror and lawyers, Black people can allow white people to see injustice from different racial perspectives. What was once a bittersweet victory back in 1995 has now become a tool among racist people to use against racist court cases or cases dealing with police brutality.   Nowadays, people wrongfully reference the OJ Simpson trial to explain that Black people have similar opportunities compared to their white counterparts, to avoid facing penalties for racially-motivated crimes.   People fail to realize that Simpson is a famed and retired football player and sportscaster with financial means to propagate the narrative of racism and police brutality against Black people in America. The fact that the Rodney King riots happened beforehand also contributes to their favour.  When asked to create a chart of all the known Black people who got away with murdering white people and all the white people who got away with murdering Black people, there is a disturbing contrast between the two, which explains tokenism.  ‘I have Black Friends; how can I be racist?’ The problem with Tokenism  As mentioned above, introducing tokenism to society can have large-scale setbacks and issues. Tokenism is the lowest bar of acceptance for diversity and falls short of a lazy attempt at “solving” discrimination in the public eye.  When assessed from a psychological standpoint, psychologist Vaclav Linkov claims that tokenism can be a double-edged sword. On the bright side, portraying a character from a distinct group can show viewers their expertise in their culture and skills, and can offer different perspectives towards solving an issue.   However, tokenism can also be a hindrance due to the ostracism of the selected individual. It can present false information that is inaccurate. Many white people use whataboutism when confronted with the latest news of racism. People claim that since one Black person has defeated all the odds, that racism no longer exists.   In 2008, many people ridiculed President Barack Obama for becoming the president of the United States, claiming that he ‘reignited’ racism in America. What did he do exactly? Have the audacity to have Black skin.   Other people claim that the introduction of Black fictional characters such as Black Panther and Tiana from The Princess and The Frog have provoked more harm than good, because it brings the issue of lack of representation to light, creating barriers between race and the media.   When the movie The Little Mermaid released, many people questioned why a white character was being ‘blackwashed.’ Many encouraged white people to play Black historical figures such as Martin Luther King and Jr. Harriet Tubman in upcoming movies. The problem lies within this suggestion, why whitewash Harriet Tubman? Why not make any Black fictional characters white? Because there are not enough well known Black characters to whitewash.   Tokenism is problematic for both white people and Black people. People become ignorant on the matter of racism when supporting the Token

The Eve Gene

By: Priscilla Wiredu In 2020, an African news article stated that Lupita Nyong’o, a Kenyan actress, starred in the 2012 PBS television special Finding Your Roots. This documentary is about testing participants and their ancestral lineage and DNA for cultural reasons. An episode on November 17 revealed the test results of Nyong’o and proved that she carried DNA from the oldest maternal haplogroup, the Mitochondrial Eve.  This revelation was groundbreaking. It proved what scientists were investigating for decades when it came to tracing back humankind as far into the past as it could go.  Nyong’o’s DNA came from a close direct descendant, a woman found in Africa.   This is the discovery of the Eve gene.  What is the Eve Gene?  The Eve gene, simply put, is a gene that was responsible for the evolution of humankind. The Mitochondrial Eve, known as The Mother of Humanity, is a female biological ancestor of all humans.   For a deeper explanation, there are two different kinds of DNA in human cells. One is nuclear and the other is mitochondrial. Nuclear DNA is DNA that is inherited from both parents, in which its protein codes trigger certain functions that make up a person’s genetic composition.   Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother. Mitochondria produces energy for the cell in order for it to function. Mitochondrial DNA descends from every female and her mother, eventually tracing it back to the single source. This is what the Eve gene is, the final origin of the human DNA’s first extrapolation.   The Eve Gene Origins  In 1987, Biologist Allan Wilson was the first to coin the term Eve gene in a science journal. Wilson theorized that she lived in East Africa two million years ago. This Stone Age era involved humans living in small groups, hunting for food, fending off predators, and acquiring all equal needs and resources, through tactics for survival.   For the past 120,000 years humans have made a substantial evolutionary change. It is conceptualized that the Mitochondrial Eve had enough daughters to carry on her mitochondrial DNA to continue evolution.   120,000 years ago, humans had more opportunities to adapt to different locations once they began migrating outside of Africa. Common ancestors who had fled Africa had the ability to reproduce more rapidly across the world.  Given the history of the Mitochondrial Eve, it continues to prove that Africa is the most genetically diverse continent in the world. Africa houses various ethnicities, traditions, and cultures compared to other continents, creating unique subsets of diversity.   Discrepancies  The theory of the Eve gene has undergone debates throughout the years, with some facets of the concept being debunked or clarified in terms of what the Eve gene is or how it works.  For instance, the Mitochondrial Eve is the common matrilineal ancestor and not one of the most recent common ancestors of humans. The Eve gene is only present through female lineages, so she lived much longer ago than our most recent common ancestor. For instance, if she lived around 140,000 years ago, the common ancestor may have lived as recently as 3000 years ago.  The Eve gene was named after the Biblical Eve of the Genesis creation, which caused some confusion amongst people. The Mitochondrial Eve, contrary to popular belief, was not the only human female during her time.   Her DNA was the most prominent, but if she were the only female alive, the human race would not have evolved as much as it did. Many other females during Eve’s era have had descendants whose lineage is still ongoing today. What makes Eve different is that her line was purely matrilineal, while the others have had at least one male in every generation.  The Authors Thoughts  The Eve gene was a fascinating and confusing topic to research. Whether something like this is possible is something I have thought about, but in the end, it does make logical sense.   It is a fact that all life began in Africa, so of course, if there was any common ancestor, no matter how far back, it would be someone from Africa. What I find troublesome is the mystification of the Eve gene; how people hold Mitochondrial Eve to the status of a goddess and as a pinnacle of Black women empowerment.   They claim that the African Eve’s DNA mutation helped shape humans to what they are today. To me, it seems to reinforce the malleability of the Black uterus.   The Eve gene would make sense if one were to look at history. During slavery, enslaved Black females were being forced to conceive as many babies as they could handle, and underwent unethical gynecological practices for research. Of course, the case of Henrietta Lacks also shows how our DNA is seen as tools for advancement in health, science, economy, and many other societal benefits for White people.   While the DNA of Black women is very diverse and plentiful, the research behind it has caused us objectification, pain, and fetishization. It reveals that the discovery of the Eve gene may have propagated the use of their reproduction instead of seeing us as the creators of humans. 

Tina Turner: The Black Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

By: Priscilla Wiredu  On May 24, 2023, the world lost one of the most famous singers. Tina Turner, noted as one of the pioneers of rock n roll, was 83 years old when she died peacefully in her home in Switzerland.   Not only was Turner a musical icon, her positive influence on pop culture along with her life struggles has made her an inspiration for many Black musicians everywhere.   The Early Years  Tina Turner, named Anna Mae Bullock at birth, was born on November 26, 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee. Tuner was the youngest offspring in her family. Her father was an overseer at a farm. She was related to famous bluesman Eugene Bridges. While her father was completing the World War Two draft, Turner spent a majority of her time living with her paternal grandparents. The family soon after moved to Knoxville where she attended school.  At the age of 11, her mother ran away to escape domestic abuse from her husband and two years later her family moved to Detroit. As a teenager, Bullock worked as a housemaid for a family. After graduating high school, she was a nurse’s assistant at Barnes, a Jewish Hospital.  Her Rise to Fame  Bullock had a passion and talent for singing; she sang in her local church choir as a preteen. After her high school graduation, she would turn to St. Louis, Missouri, where she would engage heavily within the rhythm and blues scene.   She met her ex-husband Ike Turner after viewing his band, the Kings of Rhythm, at a nightclub in 1956. Ike invited her to be a part of the band, and coined her as Tina Turner for the event name. Her electric presence gained fame and popularity; their 1960 hit “A Fool in Love” made the top charts, transforming the music scene.   Her Struggles  Despite her renowned success, talent, and fame, Turner endured a traumatic life. After marrying Ike Turner in 1962, she suffered from domestic violence at the hands of Ike. She endured multiple beatings, infidelity, emotional abuse, and injuries throughout her marriage. She even suffered from third degree burns after Ike threw hot coffee in her face.  By 1976, Turner left Ike at the expense of being homeless, a drug addict, and losing money from her career in music.   Determined not to give up on her dreams, Turner persevered and rebranded herself to become the famed queen of rock n roll.   After retiring from singing in 2009, Turner suffered tremendous heartbreak in 2018 when her son, Craig Turner, died from suicide. In 2022, she had lost a second son, Ronnie, from complications due to colon cancer.  Turner herself suffered from kidney disease for many years. In 2013, she had a stroke which caused her to relearn how to walk. In 2016, Turner continued to show strength when she was confronted with a dangerous bout of cancer.   Why Tina Turner is an Icon  Upon the news of Turner’s death, many celebrities have shown sympathy towards her passing, noting her as one of the greatest singers to ever live. A seven-time Grammy award winner, a NAACP award recipient, and being inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it goes without saying that Tina Turner set the bar for a Black musician in Hollywood.   As one of the first very few Black female rock singers, Turner created a new image for the face of rock n roll. Her personality consisted of bright outfits, outrageous wigs, and heavy makeup. She had a gritty and strong voice that was unusual for rock n roll music, but she had the ability to make it sound edgy.  But quite possibly, Turner’s most memorable attribute was her resilience and triumph over her abusive husband. It was very bold of Turner to express to the public and discuss her experience dealing with domestic violence, divorce, and the aftermath of death in the family.   Female celebrities that discuss domestic abuse were considered taboo at the time, and were unheard of. But Turner refused to be silenced and wanted to use her superstar platform and voice to make a difference so that others would not feel alone. She wanted to prevent her fans from suffering from abusive relationships.   Having to deal with a sexist and racist society at the time, Turner managed to break free from abusive tendencies and work towards her goals as an artist.   Turner’s rise to fame in relation to her age also plays an integral part of her career. Pop icons usually begin to see success in their teens or early 20’s, but Turner began to see success in her 40’s, a prime example of how age is just a number when it comes to success among women. Turner demonstrates how overcoming life challenges can lead to tremendous growth and success in your career.  Tina Turner helped a generation of Black women feel included and powerful. Turner encouraged women to be authentic, to take control of their life independently, and to do what makes them happy.  Tina Turner created a space for Black women in rock n roll. She made a powerful generational and national impact that inspired other famous singers. She also has impactful memoirs about her journey to educate others about her dedicated work ethic and drive.   “With her death, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” said Bernard Doherty, Turner’s publicist, when the news of her death was released. 

The Commercialization of Juneteenth

By: Priscilla Wiredu In May 2022, Walmart gained notoriety over the introduction of a new product launch. The Great Value Juneteenth ice cream. This limited edition ice cream included flavours of red velvet cheesecake and was created in celebration of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is an important holiday as it commemorates the liberation of Black slaves in America.   The box of ice cream included a label stating: “Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope.”  The product launch received many negative reviews that prompted an apology from Walmart and demanded the frozen dessert to be pulled from shelves.  Indeed, it was a distasteful marketing scheme, but this is not uncommon.  The Commercialization of Juneteenth and Black Culture as a Whole  The Juneteenth ice cream launch is another prime example of how corporations use out-of-touch practices to not only stay relevant in modern society, but as a means to generate increased profit in order to appear “woke.” Black consumers have deeply expressed that their cultural identity and experiences are being exploited, and want this racist cycle to end.  Of course, this is nothing new – from Rock n Roll to soul food, facets of Black culture have always been manipulated to gain a profit, and the effort to show support for the Black community is always low, resulting in exploitative and even insensitive practices.  Corporations enact “performative allyship” to gain an acceptable reputation from the masses, yet they fail at strengthening the bond between them and their targeted demographic.  The Juneteenth ice cream debacle prompted many social media users to mock Walmart and call many corporations out on their lazy attempts to capitalize off Black people and their culture.  Is it Getting Worse?  With Juneteenth becoming a publicly recognized holiday, some believe that this is an opportunity for businesses to not only make money from the holiday, but reinforce harmful stereotypes and fetishize symbols of Black liberation and Black pride.   There have been many more incidents when it comes to businesses profiting off of Black heritage. For instance, a children’s museum issued an apology after it was revealed that their “Juneteenth-themed” menu included a watermelon salad.   Similarly, an Arkansas, known as a Juneteenth soul food celebration was cancelled when a leaked poster for the event depicted non-Black hosts. The practice of “using the aesthetic without the creators” is almost a knee-jerk response to Black people who deserve respect and recognition for their talent.   Juneteenth was not meant to primarily focus on the emancipation of slavery, but rather a commemorative day to acknowledge Black struggle, Black pain, and to remind everyone of the mistreatment Black people continue to endure after slavery. This holiday rightfully gives the Black community an idea of where they originated from, and the resilience they should continue to embody in the future.  Corporations evidently do not see it from this perspective, as well as many non African-Americans; they prefer to look on the “bright side” of Juneteenth, which is to celebrate the freedom from slavery, and to conveniently forget the struggle and fights Black people had to put up with to ensure that freedom was guaranteed as a basic human right.   The symbolic representation of ice cream can be interpreted as a dessert that is sweet which counteracts the realistic struggle that originated from the true meaning of the holiday.    Businesses choose to ignore the issues that arise from exploitative marketing schemes in relation to holidays like Juneteenth. They see it as a quick and easy money-making opportunity that can be achieved with a fraction of the effort put in to make amends and reconcile.  Reclaiming Juneteenth  Black people retain the right to reclaim Juneteenth and its meaning. Many people have been doing so, with more Black-owned events, movies, and other forms of media making an impact in their spaces. However, it demands the question; “What does being free and Black in America mean right now?”  Yes, slavery has been a topic of the past, but many attitudes feel that it was a mistake. Even today, Black people have put up with modern-day lynchings, police brutality, and a lack of resources from the government in their neighbourhoods. It reiterates that Black “freedom” is conditional and delusive.   When it comes to reclaiming Juneteenth, there has to be control over your own narrative. Black media outlets have collections of Black peoples’ stories showcasing struggle, pain, fear, and toughness.  Free Press, a media advocacy organization, provides transparency with their Media 2070 project. The project provides Black people with the opportunity to tell their stories.  These Black stories are told whole heartedly, uncensored, and in a real setting that press on issues surrounding racial discrimination and injustice. But among these difficult stories lies something incredible, hope for a stronger future.  Emancipation Day provides inspiration among Black people to progress in crafting their voices and create a new system of representation. A space for Black people to enjoy each other’s company, listen to each other, and create solidarity, all while reconstructing what the media’s portrayal of them is. With these practices, communities can embrace Black identity as the years progress.