Display at Patrick Power Library
In collaboration with the Patrick Power Library, Black Student Advisor* Bria Symonds compiled a selection of scholarly texts that celebrate Black joy and liberation as part of the university’s African Heritage Month initiatives.
Bria Symonds
The literary display provides perspectives, education and information for a range of audiences. Drawing from her experience and education in social work, community engagement and activism to inform her selections, Symonds highlights three particular works as an excellent starting point for anyone interested in exploring, understanding and engaging throughout the month of February and beyond.
Burnley “Rocky” Jones Revolutionary, by Burnley “Rocky” Jones
Symonds describes the African Nova Scotian author Burnley “Rocky” Jones as “an amazing pillar in the African Nova Scotian community, who was engaged in everything from social justice and education to politics and community mobilization.”
As noted by the publisher, the book “illuminates the Black experience in Nova Scotia, it explains the evolving nature of race relations and human rights in recent Canadian history, and it reveals the origins of the “remedial” approach to racial equality that is now practised by activists and governments.” Symonds calls it “a beneficial read for allies looking to inform and understand how we can work in ways that are community centred from a social justice lens.”
Policing Black Lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present, Robyn Maynard
Symonds describes this selection as a heavier but highly educative read. “This book has been an impactful scholarly piece in my educational journey and professional life,” she says. ”It looks at complex and difficult stories of what policing looks like in Canada and provides valuable context in understanding what anti-black racism is.”
The publisher says “Maynard’s intersectional approach to anti-Black racism addresses the unique and understudied impacts of state violence as it is experienced by Black women, Black people with disabilities, as well as queer, trans, and undocumented Black communities.” With the heaviness of the topic, Symonds recommends taking time to process and reflect on the reading.
Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, Charlene Carruthers
To contrast her previous selection, Symonds highlights Unapologetic as “a lighter read that is excellent for folks who are trying to understand the true meaning of intersectionality.” The notion of intersectionality looks at critical race theory and law and how that plays into the way multiple oppressions may be experienced.
Symonds recommends the book as an exploration of “how we can reduce and prevent anti-black racism, as well as providing inclusiveness to those that come from a queer background.” Symonds points to the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, citing Unapologetic as an excellent read to promote continued learning and engagement within the SMU community and beyond.
These three reads, along with the full compilation of selected scholarly texts will be on display at the Patrick Power Library for the full month of February. The library also proudly houses The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection in the University Archives. The Lynn Jones Collection is accessible at any time to researchers, the SMU community and wider community. Please contact or drop by the Archives. A limited selection of the collection has been digitized and hosted online.
*Note: At the time of the interview, Symonds held the title of Black Student Advisor. The position is currently vacant, however Black/African-descended student supports remain available through Student Affairs and Services.