Description
Book Synopsis: Finalist for the 2011 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction
"On behalf of the Nova Scotia government, I sincerely apologize to Mrs. Viola Desmond’s family and to all African Nova Scotians for the racial discrimination she was subjected to by the justice system … We recognize today that the act for which Viola Desmond was arrested, was an act of courage, not an offence." -- Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia, April 15, 2010
In Nova Scotia, in 1946, an usher in a movie theatre told Viola Desmond to move from her main floor seat up to the balcony. She refused to budge. Viola knew she was being asked to move because she was black. After all, she was the only black person downstairs. All the other black people were up in the balcony. In no time at all, the police arrived and took Viola to jail. The next day she was charged and fined, but she vowed to continue her struggle against such unfair rules. She refused to accept that being black meant she couldn’t sit where she wanted.
Viola’s determination gave strength and inspiration to her community at the time. She is an unsung hero of the North American struggle against injustice and racial discrimination whose story deserves to be widely known.
The African Canadian community in Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s oldest and most established black communities. Despite their history and contributions to the province, the people in this community have a long experience of racially based injustice. Like Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, who many years later, in 1955, refused to give up their bus seats in Alabama, Desmond’s act of refusal awakened people to the unacceptable nature of racism and began the process of bringing an end to racial segregation in Canada.
An afterword provides a glimpse of African Canadian history.
Details
Discover the remarkable story of Viola Desmond, the unsung hero of the North American struggle against injustice and racial discrimination. In the book Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged!, readers are transported to Nova Scotia in 1946, where Desmond's refusal to budge from her seat in a movie theatre sparked a powerful movement. The Nova Scotia government recognized her courageous act and apologized for the racial discrimination she faced. This inspiring story sheds light on the long-standing battle against racism in Canada.
Viola Desmond's determination and refusal to accept unfair rules provide a source of strength and inspiration to her community and beyond. Her act of defiance, much like the iconic figures Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, awakened people to the unacceptable nature of racism and sparked a movement against racial segregation in Canada. Desmond's story deserves to be widely known and celebrated as a significant milestone in the fight for justice and equality.
As one of Canada's oldest and most established black communities, the African Canadian community in Nova Scotia has a rich history and a deep-rooted legacy of contributions to the province. Yet, they have also endured a long history of racially based injustice. Viola Desmond's brave stand not only challenged the status quo but also paved the way for change, signaling an end to racial segregation in Canada. Through Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged!, readers gain a valuable glimpse into African Canadian history, reflecting on the progress made and the challenges that remain.
Uncover the incredible story of Viola Desmond and her impact on the struggle for equality and justice. Join us in celebrating her legacy and promoting an inclusive society where everyone has the right to sit where they want. Get your copy of Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged! today and embrace a piece of history that deserves to be remembered and shared.
Click here to get your copy of Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged! and commemorate the bravery and resilience of an unsung hero.
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