Fifty years ago, the construction of the Georgia Viaduct in Vancouver displaced a thriving cultural community, Hogan’s alley.
The freeway now stands where hundreds of Black families lived and worked. It was a safe place for Black Canadians at the time, where they wouldn’t be in fear of racism and violence. Notably, Nora Hendrix, the grandmother of rock legend Jimi Hendrix, lived a few blocks from Hogan’s Alley.
Since the displacement, the area is being rapidly gentrified, and until recently, there were no cultural amenities or commemorations in the historical area. Colonialism is all about silencing the oppressed, “the past is the past” has been a cop-out for years.
In fact, most Vancouverites had no idea Vancouver once was home to a thriving Black community.
In order to survive, Black Canadians and other immigrants have stayed silent for years to avoid violence and further displacement. This invisibility has worked in favour of the government for years.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement grew immensely, striking up massive protests and growing momentum worldwide for change and equality. The movement held space for conversations surrounding injustices facing Black people. The United States isn’t the only country where Black people fear their lives.
Recently, several initiatives have been made to restore and pay tribute to Vancouver’s first concentrated Black community.
Nora Hendrix Place is a temporary modular housing development run by the Hogans Alley Society and the Portland Hotel Society. The 52-unit space provides housing for low-income individuals, prioritizing those with Black heritage.
A Black Cultural Centre is in the works. Approved by the City of Vancouver, the Cultural Centre will be a hub for the Black community. Education resources, food, art, music and dance that empower Black Canadian heritage are all examples of programming that promote community building.
This week, Strathcona elementary school students are urging the school board to rename the school after famous Black Olympian Barbara Howard. Howard is believed to be the first Black woman to represent Canada in an international competition. She’s not only celebrated for her athletic achievements, but Howard also taught at Strathcona after retiring as an athlete. According to the grade 7 students, Lord Strathcona, a European Colonialist, doesn’t represent the school’s diversity.
Petition to Rename Lord Strathcona Elementary
As we progress in society, we are working towards amplifying the voices of Black and Indigenous people, who’ve previously been silenced. We are not going to let the rich history of Hogan’s Alley be forgotten.
Vancouver’s culture isn’t yoga pants and skiing.
Vancouver’s culture is Indigenous history, Black lives, Asian lives, and the resilience of immigrants that have worked to death in order for their families to survive.