Race Relations of Halifax in Victorian North America
“On 29 July, 1847, RACIAL CONFLICT DRAMATICALLY ERUPTED IN HALIFAX, Nova Scotia. ... Sutherland with the intention of educating the reader on the racial tensions that existed in Halifax during Victorian times. ... As black people began to settle in and around Halifax, free from the slavery that bound then during the incorporation of Halifax in 1749, they were faced with hardships immediately. ... This problem reflected the mainstream opinion of the people in Halifax during the Mid – Victorian era. ... ” By the early 1830’s, due to the rise in black pride, and the proliferation of Victorian Liberal and Humanitarian ideals, slavery was abolished in the empire and the black population rejoiced and praised the values of the Victorians. ... Although the black communities of Halifax have overcome many hurdles to obtain recognition and equality in the city through confederation, even to this day, racial tensions exist and continue to captivate the municipality. Examples of the continuing strife of the black locality can be seen in boxer Kirk Johnson’s recent allegations of racism within the Halifax regional Municipality Police force, and in racial conflict among young people in outlying regions, such as at Cole Harbour District High School, which was highly publicized in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.