Union Street: Uncovering Vancouver’s Erased Black History and the Fight for Rebuilding
Vancouver, a city known for its diverse culture and vibrant neighborhoods, hides a painful history of racism and cultural erasure. In the heart of this bustling metropolis, lies the forgotten story of Vancouver’s historic Black community – a community that thrived with musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald. However, the echoes of their vibrant presence have been overshadowed by the systemic mechanisms that destroyed this once flourishing neighborhood in the 1960s.
Spanning across three generations, the documentary film Union Street sheds light on the ongoing effects of racism, displacement, and the erasure of African Canadians. Directed by Jamila Pomeroy, the film delves into the atrocities that took place in Black Strathcona and Hogan’s Alley, uncovering a painful history that echoes with the experiences of African Canadians today.
Growing up as the only Black family in the suburbs of Vancouver, Pomeroy herself questioned the absence of Black people in her community and the mistreatment her family faced. It was not until she learned about the history of Hogan’s Alley in 2008 that she realized her experience was not isolated. Pomeroy’s personal journey inspired her to connect the past with the present, showcasing the enduring consequences of systemic racism in Canada.
Union Street brings together a diverse ensemble of Black Vancouverites who, in the face of adversity, are working tirelessly to rebuild the historic Black community that was lost. Their efforts go beyond physical reconstruction; they strive to facilitate Black joy and redefine what it means to be African-Canadian in Vancouver. By highlighting these resilient individuals, the film aims to challenge the cultural erasure and displacement that African Canadians continue to endure.
The world premiere of Union Street is set to take place on October 2nd at 8:45 p.m. at SFU Woodwards. A second screening will be held on October 7th at 3:30 p.m. at the Rio Theatre. This highly anticipated film promises to shed light on Vancouver’s erased Black history and inspire conversations about systemic racism, while offering hope for a brighter future.
For more information about the film and its screenings, please visit [URL]. Join the journey of unveiling Vancouver’s past and supporting the ongoing fight for rebuilding its historic Black community.
