“In some people’s eyes I am not equal nor should I be free.”
After confederate flags and swastikas were seen at an antivax rally outside the Canadian parliament, MP Greg Fergus gave this powerful speech ...
After confederate flags and swastikas were seen at an antivax rally outside the Canadian parliament, MP Greg Fergus gave this powerful speech ...
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00:00Even after 188 years since the abolition of slavery in Canada,
00:05in some people's eyes, I am not equal, nor should I be free.
00:13This is why I celebrate Black History.
00:15Every February, I normally rise to encourage parliamentarians and Canadians
00:31to celebrate Black History Month.
00:33These are not normal times.
00:35This past weekend, a small minority thought it acceptable
00:40to bring swastikas and confederate flags to Parliament Hill.
00:45Let's not mince words.
00:47The confederate flag is a symbol for slavery.
00:51Whips deformed black bodies.
00:54Forced labour mangled limbs.
00:58Torture almost always preceded lynchings.
01:03Intellectually, I know that very, very few people today
01:10would support what the confederate flag represented.
01:14I will assume that the confederate flag was tolerated this weekend
01:20out of respect for the individual's freedom of expression.
01:25However, in my heart, I was left wondering,
01:31who else supports this flag?
01:34Without real-time denunciations, how am I to know?
01:41That's what scares me.
01:45Even after 188 years since the abolition of slavery in Canada,
01:51in some people's eyes, I am not equal, nor should I be free.
01:58This is why I celebrate black history, black Canadian history,
02:04every February and throughout the year.
02:20For more UN videos visit www.un.org
02:23And don't forget to like this video and subscribe to Al Jazeera.