Stephen Weir articles, editorials and popular social media weir postings

Slave Clothes On The Mink Mile? Only on Emancipation Day   Photos and story by Stephen Weir:  According to well-known activist, organizer and owner of Canada’s largest diversity bookstore,  Itah Sadu  what happened on Sunday on Bloor Street was neither a demonstration nor a parade.  Maybe not but the Mas models, actors in chains wearing slave clothing and children holding Black Power signs walked the  Mink Mile  on Sunday afternoon – it was an August 1 st   Emancipation Day  to remember.   “No, this was an act of love,” explained Sadu. “ We billed it as  E mancipation on Bloor  -- an animation of the  Bloor Street Cultural Corridor  from Yonge and Bloor (aka the Mink Mile) to Christie and Bloor adding to the all the terrific August First Emancipation Day activities here in Toronto.” Actors in slave clothing carry their chains  Yonge & Bloor in Toronto It started after lunch at one of the busiest intersections in Canada – Yonge and Bloor Street.  Over 60 musicians, models, street ac

(L to R): A lica Hall, Mayor Tory,  Nation Cheong, MPP Andrew and MP Vaughan in front of the Nia Centre For The Arts A Little Jamaica Project With a  Purpose By Stephen Weir  As autumn days go last Friday’s press conference for the  NIA Centre for the Arts  was perfect.  Warm temperatures, no wind and sunshine beamed down on a Little Jamaica building that is about to make Black history in Canada. The afternoon media event had speakers and representation from the province, the city and arts group both in person and online.  Prime Minister  Justin Trudeau  helped kick off the half hour event with an online speech in both French and English (I attended virtually as well).     The   PM spoke from Ottawa Speaking from Ottawa the PM said “This new space will continue to bring people together and allow everyone to experience the art that is rooted in Black Canadian traditions, and that is incredibly important because we all need to continue to educate ourselves on the culture and experiences

. Leaving the Vampire Rules Behind Will Condo Owners Flex their electoral muscle this October? Edited Version Of This Story To Appear In Torontoist October 25 By Stephen Weir When it comes to talking politics in most condo buildings, Vampire rules are in effect … no politician can cross the threshold unless invited in and best that they come after dark. Hundreds of thousands of voters in the GTA keep their crypts in condominiums – is this the October that a stake is driven through the heart of the condo group apathy towards all things political, and this block of voters takes its rightful place in the sunlight? Some high profile city candidates including both mayoral and city council seat seekers, wonder and worry whether 2010 is the year that condo owners exercise their franchise. A fledging condo association has flagged civic issues that condo owners should take an interest in, and a veteran NDP MPP has once again introduced a private member’s bill that, in effect, will create a c