e-man-ci-pat-ed
adjective: free from legal, social or political restrictions; liberated
On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
Canadians are not always aware that Black and Indigenous Peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today.
Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination.
Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.
Source: Emancipation Day — August 1 - Canada.ca
adjective: free from legal, social or political restrictions; liberated
On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day. It marks the actual day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
Canadians are not always aware that Black and Indigenous Peoples were once enslaved on the land that is now Canada. Those who fought enslavement were pivotal in shaping our society to be as diverse as it is today.
Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination.
Emancipation Day celebrates the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada.
Source: Emancipation Day — August 1 - Canada.ca
The Journey by Israel A. Crooks
"The Journey" tells a story. The central figure, the "Freedom Goddess/Angel" represents the personification of the Hamilton Black Community's journey from Emancipation (abolition of slavery) to Liberation (end of systemic and institutionalized racism and oppression). You will notice that the journey is winding, uphill and strategic (as represented by the two black squares under her feet, and a nod to my favourite game: chess). Her earrings are the scales of justice, and her sceptre forms an Ankh with "BLM" engraved into it. On her wings are who I call "The 12 Champions of Liberation"; Hamiltonians who have/continue to lead the charge towards liberation. They are from top left to top right:
Anchoring the journey is the mecca of spiritual refuge for Hamilton's Black Community, Stewart Memorial Church. Since Hamilton is known worldwide as "The City of Waterfalls", I wanted to pay homage to that by including Webster's Falls. The lantern that lights her journey is a nod to the Underground Railroad. The piece was lit with a pre-dawn sky, symbolizing that although the darkness of slavery is behind us, much work still remains before we can see the full light of day.
"The Thankful Youth" complete the piece, representing the present and future generations that will benefit from this journey.
- Dr. Gary Warner (Professor at McMaster University, multi-dimensional advocate against anti-Black racism, recipient of the McMaster Students Union Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), the Royal Bank Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award (2006), the Rev. John C. Holland Award (1998), the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and investiture as a Member of the Order of Canada. (2005))
- Eleanor Rodney (Hamilton educator and community leader)
- Jackie Washington (Canadian musician)
- Hon. Lincoln Alexander (Attorney, first Black MP, first Black federal Cabinet Minister: Minister of Labour, first Black Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board of Ontario and 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, first person to serve 5 terms as Chancellor of the University of Guelph and Governor of the Canadian Unity Council, Awarded Order of Ontario and Companion of the Order of Canada (1992), Honorary Chief of the Hamilton Police Service, Honorary Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police)
- Rev. John C. Holland (pastor, community leader, activist and railway Pullman attendant, first Black person to be honoured as Distinguished Citizen of the Year in a major Canadian city: Hamilton (1953))
- Ray Lewis (first Canadian born Black athelete to win an Olympic medal in the 4x400m relay team (1932), member: Order of Canada (2000), Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002))
- Sandi Bell (former Canadian Human Rights Commissioner, mediator and Restorative Justice practioner)
- Evelyn Myrie (community activist, president of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, CEO of EMpower Strategy Group)
- Leo Johnson (founder of Empowerment Squared) a charitable organization that promotes academic mentoring, access to sports and recreation for Newcomer children and their families)
- Matthew Green (first Black Hamilton City Councilman, first Black MP for Hamilton since Lincoln Alexander)
- Kojo Damptey (scholar, practitioner, musician, social justice avocate and Executive Director of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion)
- Sarah Jama (Hamilton community organizer and co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario)
Anchoring the journey is the mecca of spiritual refuge for Hamilton's Black Community, Stewart Memorial Church. Since Hamilton is known worldwide as "The City of Waterfalls", I wanted to pay homage to that by including Webster's Falls. The lantern that lights her journey is a nod to the Underground Railroad. The piece was lit with a pre-dawn sky, symbolizing that although the darkness of slavery is behind us, much work still remains before we can see the full light of day.
"The Thankful Youth" complete the piece, representing the present and future generations that will benefit from this journey.
About the artist
Israel A. Crooks B.Sc.(Hons), B.Ed.(Hons), PSC
I began drawing and painting at the age of seven. While having studied art in both Toronto and Hamilton alongside great artists and instructors, I learned that portrait painting was my niche. Today, my “mentors” are Cesar Santos and Andrew Tischler. Painting portraits is my passion. A Portrait should express the essence of the subject and I love the challenge in capturing it. I use the methods and techniques of the old European masters and I am not satisfied until the portrait “breathes”. Every portrait I create provides me the opportunity to produce a work of art that exhibits both beauty and timelessness; my hope with each piece is that it becomes a cherished heirloom, providing deep meaning for many generations to come. my hope with each piece is that it becomes a cherished heirloom, providing deep meaning for many generations to come.
I began drawing and painting at the age of seven. While having studied art in both Toronto and Hamilton alongside great artists and instructors, I learned that portrait painting was my niche. Today, my “mentors” are Cesar Santos and Andrew Tischler. Painting portraits is my passion. A Portrait should express the essence of the subject and I love the challenge in capturing it. I use the methods and techniques of the old European masters and I am not satisfied until the portrait “breathes”. Every portrait I create provides me the opportunity to produce a work of art that exhibits both beauty and timelessness; my hope with each piece is that it becomes a cherished heirloom, providing deep meaning for many generations to come. my hope with each piece is that it becomes a cherished heirloom, providing deep meaning for many generations to come.
Special thanks to Cobalt Connects and Afro Canadian Caribbean Association of Hamilton
who commissioned this mural for Hamilton Winterfest 2022
who commissioned this mural for Hamilton Winterfest 2022
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