Welcome to our podcast series! Over the past month, we’ve been working on two podcasts that explore Chatham’s local history. We examine the historical complexities of black abolitionism and activism, alongside present-day social justice movements in Chatham. Moving beyond the traditional historical narratives, we also take a deep dive into memory’s role in the historiography of Chatham’s fascinating history.
In the first podcast, we explain the stories of black abolitionists and activists by connecting their stories to themes of emancipation, oppression, migration, and abolitionism. We ultimately use these themes to question Canada’s public history and memory. Why don’t many Canadians know the history of Chatham? How can we best inform the public? What public history and educational tools can we use to shed light on this important chapter in Canadian history? These questions guide our first podcast and reveal the challenges to constructing and disseminating historical memories.
In the second podcast, we move to Chatham’s present-day activism. In this episode, we interview local Chatham activist Thador Tekhil, who navigates the interconnectedness between the Black Lives Matter movement and the historic fight for racial equality in the Atlantic world. This episode places a focus on Tekhil’s lived experiences and perspectives on contemporary social issues, such as police-community relations and institutional racism.
We hope these episodes allow you to reflect on both past and present social inequalities. We ask that listeners challenge their preconceived notions and, by consequence, recognize the role history plays in shaping the present. Thanks for listening – enjoy!
Abby Jenkins is a second-year global development studies student at Huron University College
Nikesh Mehta-Spooner is a second-year history student at Huron University College
William Chapman-Black is a second-year history student at Huron University College