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This is a photo of the Edmonton Technical School Grade 8 class in 1931.
I've never stopped thinking about this photo and what life was like for Edward Bailey - the lone Black student in the class.
It's been years but I want to provide a wholesome update to this story.
I've never stopped thinking about this photo and what life was like for Edward Bailey - the lone Black student in the class.
It's been years but I want to provide a wholesome update to this story.
This photo struck me because of the way Edward is seated.
Everyone else is fairly well dressed while he is front-row centre in an awkward posture and with one shirt button done up.
I wondered how life was like for him and what exactly he was feeling when the photo was taken.
Everyone else is fairly well dressed while he is front-row centre in an awkward posture and with one shirt button done up.
I wondered how life was like for him and what exactly he was feeling when the photo was taken.
We can learn a little about his life by looking at the historic context.
In 1931, the Ku Klux Klan of Alberta was at their height of power. In fact, the mayor of Edmonton - Daniel Knott Klan supported.
The Klan burned a cross on Connors Hill to celebrate his election win.
In 1931, the Ku Klux Klan of Alberta was at their height of power. In fact, the mayor of Edmonton - Daniel Knott Klan supported.
The Klan burned a cross on Connors Hill to celebrate his election win.
Yes - we had the Klan here and they were influential.
In 1932, The Klan wrote letters to Daniel Knott requesting approval for a picnic and cross burning at the exhibition grounds (nowadays northlands)
Knott approved the letter on the condition that “no smoking would be allowed”
In 1932, The Klan wrote letters to Daniel Knott requesting approval for a picnic and cross burning at the exhibition grounds (nowadays northlands)
Knott approved the letter on the condition that “no smoking would be allowed”
FYI Knott has a school named after him and his portrait is one step outside the mayors office.
http://danknott.epsb.ca/
http://danknott.epsb.ca/
This history is important to understand because the Klan was present in Edward’s classroom.
In the yearbook, classmates wrote about one another and one student wrote “Stanley Petherbridge was walking down the street with the birth of a nation behind him.”
This is shocking.
In the yearbook, classmates wrote about one another and one student wrote “Stanley Petherbridge was walking down the street with the birth of a nation behind him.”
This is shocking.
It’s shocking because The Birth of A Nation was one of the most popular films in American history and was the first film to be shown at the white house.
It is a film that glorified the Klan and included racist tropes of Black film. A film that spoke of Black people as a danger.
It is a film that glorified the Klan and included racist tropes of Black film. A film that spoke of Black people as a danger.
Here is a scene from the film. It depicts what would happen if Black people were empowered and elected in government.
The Black members are shown eating fried chicken and putting their feet on the table. They also mention the poor 'white minority.'
The Black members are shown eating fried chicken and putting their feet on the table. They also mention the poor 'white minority.'
I wanted to learn more about who Edward was and for the longest time I didn’t even know his name! This changed when @kylemuzyka did some digging and came across the medical files for the grade 8 class.
Only one student was listed as ‘African’ and that student was Edward Bailey.
Only one student was listed as ‘African’ and that student was Edward Bailey.
It was so nice to put a name to the face because so much of our provinces Black history is intentionally hidden and unknown. It was nice to look at this photo and say “this is edward bailey.”
However, that’s all the info we had and the trail went dead for a few years.
However, that’s all the info we had and the trail went dead for a few years.
This changed this weekend when Nanette Morton, grand niece of Edward Bailey, tweeted at me. She told me the birthdays matched up and this was her grand uncle.
She told me about his later life. He was a railway porter and businessman who lived in Winnipeg https://twitter.com/MortonNanetteJ/status/1218555315945426944
She told me about his later life. He was a railway porter and businessman who lived in Winnipeg https://twitter.com/MortonNanetteJ/status/1218555315945426944
She told me that she remembers him as being "talkative, kind and jovial."
She also told me that he appeared in a documentary "The Road Taken." It was surreal to see a much older Edward speak. I teared up watching this.
Documentary link: https://www.nfb.ca/film/road_taken/
She also told me that he appeared in a documentary "The Road Taken." It was surreal to see a much older Edward speak. I teared up watching this.
Documentary link: https://www.nfb.ca/film/road_taken/
This was really humbling to learn. In fact, this was the first time his relatives saw this photo of young Edward.
It was heart warming to - after many years - hear Edwards voice and know that he lived a good life.
It was heart warming to - after many years - hear Edwards voice and know that he lived a good life.
postscript
The Alberta Klan's full name was "The Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan."
Invisible Empire was meant to show how most of the Klan's power did not come from men in hoods. Instead, it came from the silent support and indifference of the general public.
The Alberta Klan's full name was "The Invisible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan."
Invisible Empire was meant to show how most of the Klan's power did not come from men in hoods. Instead, it came from the silent support and indifference of the general public.
The time when the Klan's influence peaked - the 1930’s - was the same time that Edward was going through Grade 8.
In a city that did not permit Black people entrance to its theatre, city pools, or pubs.
A city with a mayor that supported the Klan.
In a city that did not permit Black people entrance to its theatre, city pools, or pubs.
A city with a mayor that supported the Klan.
It is important to recognize that Edward was growing up and surviving in a time where the Klan's reach and hateful message were commonplace.
To the point of reaching and influencing his classmates.
To the point of reaching and influencing his classmates.
This history is important to understand since it has been whitewashed.
Anytime I learned something troubling about a local historical figure, I would go on their bios and find nothing about their racist legacy.
Daniel Knott, Premier Brownlee, Senator Lougheed.
Anytime I learned something troubling about a local historical figure, I would go on their bios and find nothing about their racist legacy.
Daniel Knott, Premier Brownlee, Senator Lougheed.
This whitewashing reinforces the notion of the ‘Invisible Empire’ and, despite the Klan no longer being formally recognized, their invisible empire still exists.
Of note, the Klan officially lost their status as a society in the province of Alberta in 2003.
Of note, the Klan officially lost their status as a society in the province of Alberta in 2003.
In order to end this complacency and to destroy the invisible empire, we must shift our understanding of Canadian history.
To properly question our country's Anti-Black racism and the impact it has to this day
This is not a 100 year old problem. It's a problem that's still here
To properly question our country's Anti-Black racism and the impact it has to this day
This is not a 100 year old problem. It's a problem that's still here
This is important because Black history is more than just telling stories of triumph. It is necessary to provide the context for these triumphs.
To understand the resistance Black Albertan's faced and the power they fought against.
Lulu Anderson, Charles Daniel, Ted King...
To understand the resistance Black Albertan's faced and the power they fought against.
Lulu Anderson, Charles Daniel, Ted King...
Doing this will allow us to heal and move forward. Edward's story helps us do this.
I'll be writing a follow up to my article on Edward later this week. In the meanwhile, you can find the original article here. https://www.bashirmohamed.com/blog/2018/7/5/for-edward-bailey
I'll be writing a follow up to my article on Edward later this week. In the meanwhile, you can find the original article here. https://www.bashirmohamed.com/blog/2018/7/5/for-edward-bailey
Oh I forgot to mention earlier that the Empire Theatre in Edmonton showed Birth of A Nation and called it a "marvelous production."
The show was sold out and was accompanied with a thirty-piece orchestra.
Source: The Edmonton Bulletin, December 7, 1915, Page 5
The show was sold out and was accompanied with a thirty-piece orchestra.
Source: The Edmonton Bulletin, December 7, 1915, Page 5
Anyways, this was a nice way to end the week.
Especially considering the big week I have ahead and some upcoming stress.
It's nice to see some good news while being in the middle of some challenges and hateful messages.
Especially considering the big week I have ahead and some upcoming stress.
It's nice to see some good news while being in the middle of some challenges and hateful messages.
