Saint John Has Sad History of Race Discrimination

We think of Canada as being more racially accepting than our neighbors to the South; however, in reality there's a history of discrimination with deep roots here in Saint John.We often forget that slavery was even legal in Canada less than 200 years ago.

Randy Dickinson of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission tells CHSJ News the YMCA used to be whites only--and the Admiral Beatty once refused to let blacks in the front door, even when those blacks were renowned jazz musicians Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

It wasn't until an employee of the Beatty named Lena O'Ree refused to show up for work until she was allowed in the front door that the discriminatory policy changed.

Today is the International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and there are number events celebrating equality planned throughout the province.