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Africville now

When dump trucks roared in to ship Africville residents out, it seemed like a good idea to city planners. By the 1960s, years of neglect and racism had made Halifax's oldest and largest black neighbourhood one of the worst slums in the country. But the relocation of Africville also meant the end of a vibrant community. As one former resident put it, they lost more than a roof over their heads, they lost their happiness.

Talks regarding compensation for former Africville residents and their descendants are in their infancy. The reparation movement has led to debate over the amount of payment, eligibility and the idea of compensation itself. Meanwhile the City of Halifax did commemorate Africville with a sundial monument. The site where the community once stood is now part of Seaview Park in Halifax.
. Eddie Carvery is one of many former Africville residents fighting for compensation. Carvery was born in Africville in 1946. He told CBC Radio's Jane Kansas that "when they took Africville and killed it, they created a genocide. As a people, we've been destroyed. I think they should be held responsible. This is my fight and with the grace of God that's what I'm going to do."
Medium: Television
Program: The National
Broadcast Date: Sept. 5, 2001
Guest(s): Irvine Carvery
Reporter: Joan Leishman
Duration: 0:38

Last updated: January 11, 2012

Page consulted on January 21, 2013

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