Required Material

<sub-headings, summaries, resource references and links, videos, pictures, etc.>

https://www.myseumoftoronto.com/over-policing/

https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2022-05-03/alumna-tells-tale-canadian-history-slavery 

Foregrounding Acts of Resistance

Afua Cooper (2007). Acts of Resistance: Black Men and Women Engage Slavery in Upper Canada, 1793-1803. Ontario History, 99(1), 5–17. https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/onhistory/2007-v99-n1-onhistory04967/1065793ar/

Centering acts of resistance by black men and women, author, Afua Cooper retells Canadian histories of enslavement in which black people are active agents in their own emancipation. Notably, acts of resistance against the brutality of enslavement are defined as acts of non-cooperation. Such acts can be itemized as individual acts of resistance. These are everyday acts of refusal that temporarily disrupt systems of slavery: damage to livestock or tools, talking back, work stoppages, etc. Alternatively, collective acts of resistance are those that require organizing and pose longer disruptions to systems of enslavement: rebellions and revolts, homicide, etc. However, categorizing acts of resistance on a spectrum inaccurately frames one form of resistance as stronger and more valuable in its consequences towards the abolition of slavery than the other. Pragmatically, individual acts often emboldened people leading to collectively organize against slavery. Black women’s defiance against subjugation further problematizes such categorization of resistance as either individual or collective. Utilizing their reproductive capacity, Black women restricted rates of reproduction by self-inflicting abortions, acts of infanticide or refusal to give birth. These seemingly individual acts of resistance held long-term destabilizing consequences for the survival and perpetuation of enslavement.

Most notably, the article documents the story of Chloe Cooley, a young Black enslaved female that was forcibly sold by her owner, Vrooman from Upper Canada and violently transported by boat to New York state. At the time of Cooley’s sale and forced transfer, rumours of slave abolition were circulating. To liquidate chattel property, Vrooman sought to sell Cooley. Arguing that Cooley was his property, he was within his rights to sell her, and therefore could not be penalized. Though Vrooman was not remanded for selling Cooley, her resistance and screams of protest led Vrooman to answer to charges of disturbing the peace. This event served as the catalyst that led to the drafting of “An Act to Prevent the Further Introduction of Slaves and to Limit the Terms of Contract for Servitude Within this Province.” The Act served as an initial piece of legislation meant to prevent the expansion of slavery. Enslaved persons could not be imported into the region, though they could be exported. Further, children born to enslaved women after 1793 would be deemed free following their 25th birthday. In essence, the author recounts rich histories of non-compliance and non-cooperation toward laws of enslavement among black men and women who fought against their subjugation and paved the road to their emancipation through acts of resistance. Cooley’s witnessed screams reverberated into initial legislation that would later lead to abolition.

The Hour a Day Study Club and Advancement of Black Youth in Higher Education: Podcast with Marium Tolson-Murtty, Director of Anti-Racism Organizational Change, University of Windsor.[40 minute podcast link]

• You are asked to listen to this podcast, which will help inform our Day 2 discussion.
• Featuring Dr. Marium Tolson-Murtty in conversation with Nadia Washington, EBAAR Curriculum Consultant.  Marium is the President of The Hour-A-Day Study Club. Dr. Tolson-Murtty has served as the Strategic Planning Officer for Anti-Black Racism Initiatives, the Continuing Teacher Education Program Coordinator in the Faculty of Education and is currently the Director of Anti-Racism Organization Change, University of Windsor. She recently received her Ph.D. at the University of Windsor from the Faculty of Education. Dr. Tolson-Murtty is also a highly engaged community leader with board positions with the Black Council of Windsor-Essex, the United Way Windsor-Essex County, Family Fuse, and PROPEL: Preparing for the Realities of Post-Secondary Education and Life.This episode explores the significance of The Hour-A Day Study Club, one of the longest running, non-profit, female driven organizations in Canada. Established in 1934, The Hour-A-Day Study Club provides African-Canadian youth, that are descendants of the Underground Railroad, with scholarship funds to help finance their post-secondary education. Each year, students graduating from high school within the Windsor/Essex County community are eligible to apply (houradaystudyclub).

Mary Ann Shadd: Journalism, Activism, and the Power of Words: Strong and Free Podcast by Historica Canada.

• You may listen to the podcast on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/29TPnRPjUnu5RdOnMrtjn5
• or you may choose to play it through YouTube: https://youtu.be/JmXYa3YdpKU?si=ehjGbbeFrTzrhxUF 

Chloe Cooley’s Resistance

Required Assessment!

This week you are asked to complete your third ePortfolio Reflection. You may revisit the ePortfolio information section if you need more guidance for your submission.

Optional Resources

• references
  • summaries/descriptions