For Immediate Release:
Friday, June 26, 2020 Contact: Karen Hudson, Acting President
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The Black Educators Association (BEA) was founded as a result of the injustice, inequity, and
systemic racism that Blacks faced for over 400 years within the education system. BEA is the oldest
grassroots organization in the province of Nova Scotia and has always stood for educational
excellence for Black learners. BEA continues to stand in solidarity with those fighting against
systemic racism in education, policing, and all institutions that are negatively impacting our Black
learners.
BEA recognizes the injustices that have been taking place in Nova Scotia. Furthermore, BEA
continues to advocate for the implementation of the BLAC Report recommendations that have yet to
be actioned as a result of the Cole Harbour riots in 1994. BEA will continue to fight for injustice
within the education system because Black learners continue to be excluded from curriculum. Our
position will always focus on our Black learners, because “Black Lives Matter”, and we believe it
begins with education. During this critical time of social unrest and political protest, BEA remains
committed to our Black learners. BEA believes that education is only one piece of the puzzle to
securing equality of Black people. The Association condemns Anti-Black racism, racial profiling and
all forms of racial injustices in education, media, courts, politics and economic systems. Our hope
within the Black Educators Association is that our institutions will do the same, not only in word but
also in deed.
BEA’s hope is that our Black learners and their initiatives will cease to be underfunded and
understaffed. We urge our government officials and the leaders of all institutions and corporations to
recognize the achievements of our Black learners, promote Blacks within their organizations and to
not be afraid to do what is just and fair as we work together to eliminate the long dehumanizing acts
of enslavement towards our Black learners. We need to continue to have uncomfortable
conversations at all levels in order to heal from these outrageous acts of Anti-Black systemic racism.
The current Black Lives Matter Movement has elevated the work that must be done in order to
address systemic and racist practices that continue to exist within our province. Our children cannot
continue to be left out of their history. As a result, we urge our leaders within the Department of
Education and Early Childhood Education (EECD) to continue to partner with us and encourage all
government departments to partner with the Association and across the entire Black Community to
examine their policies and structures and implement the recommendations of the BLAC Report that
have yet to be implemented. Social injustice and academic negligence against Black learners cannot
continue and our leaders cannot continue to sit silently. Silence is an action that is not acceptable.
The Black Educators Association is calling for comprehensive change to the structural biases that
exist within the education system. BEA will continue to supplement any resources that are lacking
whenever possible and monitor the existing situation for sustainable action and to ensure
accountability.