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Caribbean life in Quebec: A pictorial history of the 60s, 70s and 80s

Why a pictorial history booklet? If a picture is worth a thousand words, several images are well worth a story! The booklet Caribbean life in Quebec: A pictorial history of the 60s, 70s and 80s follows a long tradition of pictorial histories of Black communities across the Americas*. In this particular project, the decision to work from photography came from the need for Quebec’s Caribbean youth to see themselves as part of the historical fabric of this society, to be able to connect to a history that reflects them. Furthermore, photography can inspire many other activities (artistic production, group discussions, etc.); it can thus be used in very versatile ways with different age groups. These pictures also promote Caribbean groups and organizations, Caribbean photographers, important community events etc. It is a great way to present youth with inspiring and diverse role models and engage them with their past, to better move towards their future.

 The booklet presents a thematic history from the 60s to the 80s. Every chapter explores a specific theme through pictures, offers explanations to contextualize them while offering additional bibliographic references in relation to the theme, for further research.

Table of content

1. Caribbean life in Quebec, the beginnings
2. From one island to the other, Caribbean communities organizing in Montreal
3. Activism on Montreal campuses
4. Building bridges
5. Taking to the street! Celebrations and protests
6. The power of writing
7. My story is history

Booklet excerpts:

Chapter 2; p. 10 & 11.

Chapter 2; p. 12 & 13.

Chapter 4; p. 30 & 31

Chapter 4; p. 32 & 33.

Chapter 5; p. 36 & 37. 

Chapter 5; p. 40 & 41.

*Examples are:

Donnie Forde, F. (2002). Caribbean American in New York City 1985-1975. Mt. Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing.

González, L. M., & Rivera, Á. G. Q. (1991). La otra cara de la historia: la historia de Puerto Rico desde su cara obrera. Cerep.

Hughes, L., Meltzer, M., & Lincoln, E. C. (1956, 1983). A Pictorial History of Black Americans (5th Ed.). New York, NY : Crown Publishing Group.