As part of the celebration of the Black History Month (BMH), we decide to have a special interview with Yusuf Shire, the President of New Brunswick African Association (NBAA), a Pan-African son of the soil that believes black shines brightest. He gave us an insight to his view about the black race and the best way to stand out as black(s) wherever you are in the world…Enjoy
Can we know you and where are you from?
My name is Yusuf Shire, I am originally from Somalia but I grow up and went to school in Kenya. I arrived in Canada in 2007 with high hopes to make the best out of my life in this great country, but that doesn’t change the fact for me not to know who I am and where I am coming from because I am Pan-African and the true son of the soil.
Celebrating Black History Month; What Does It Mean to You?
This Black History Month has been long observed in the USA, Canada and UK and it was created to focus attention on the contributions of African-Americans to the United States. It honors all the Black people from their periods of slavery in the United States of America. I recalled from history when the enslaved people, I mean the blacks are first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century. And, no doubt this brought about the existence of the tagged African- Americans living in the United States today.
What were some of the challenges that people faced during that time in our nation’s history.
Interestingly, our ancestors went through hash and brutal sufferings, humiliations and torture on the hands the white Americans and British. They were entrapped and there was nothing they can do about it because the whites were so powerful with lots of resources to do and undo whatever they like in the continent of Africa. And, now I can tell you with my head up so high that the challenges faced back then, has made the blacks who they are now, by conquering all over the world.
What is the significance of Black History Month to you and what gives you hope for the future?
Sankofa, taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present to make progress in the future. And to remember the important people and events in the history of the Africans in Diaspora like never before. We blacks are coffee men through and through
How do you talk to your kids about black history?
On a lighter mood, I always wish to talk to the kids on any single chance I have about the Black History which is truly our African History and I talk to our young youth about the African civilizations and letting them know our History did not start with slavery but the slavery disrupted our civilization from Egypt, Carthage, Axum, Namibia, Mali Empire and so on.
To you, who are the most famous persons in the black history?
Sighs! There are so many black people that are coffee men through and through and they have done their own parts in making our history worth celebrating after the era of slavery with many blacks championing events and happenstances in different parts of the world. As for me their are many names registered and unregistered on the honor of fame but for the records, I would like to mention these few; Rosa Park, Harriet Tubman, Claudette Colvin, Martin Luther King, Malcolm Maliek Shabaz X, Coretta Scott King.
Who was the father of black history?
Wow! Who else can fit into the shoes of our reputable black fighter in mind and will power and intellectualism like Carter G. Woodson. He made the black history what it is now and no going back to make the history bigger and better with the new generation of the blacks promoting the Black History Month (BHM).
What has been your biggest inspiration?
Al Hajj Malik Shabazz, popularly known Malcolm X. He was a self acclaimed and reputable Human Right Activist who was a prominent figure during the Civil Rights Movements as a credible spokesman for the Nation of Islam until 1964.
What motivates you?
What else can motivate a black man like me than my people, the entire Africans community in Diaspora and those back home. Believe it or not, I am not an African because I was born in Africa but because African was born in me.
Against all odds, who has served as an inspiration in your life?
Who? I have few of them like Kwame Nkurumah, PatriceLumumba, Thomas Sankara and Haile Selassie
As a President (NBAA) what are your plans for the community?
My Vision is Pan-Africanism, we need to organize and be united as Africans community and be able to work with one another for the betterment of the next generation and our community at large. And, also to become the leading African Organization that is proactive and innovative in planning, developing and delivering programs that will meet the needs of the African Community in New Brunswick like never seen before in this clime.
How do you balance work and family as a president?
It is not easy to balance the two but my love for my people gives me the energy to continue pushing and when you love what you do you will find time for self care.
Any other information you want to pass to your black community?
UBUNTU, I am what I am because of who we are. Honestly, we have to come together as Africans and work for the betterment of our young brothers and sister and lets work towards a better future for the Africans in Canada.
Leave a Reply