Tim Hortons, Starbucks, McCafe and all these franchise are places we go on a daily basis to fulfill our daily hot beverage needs. And one thing that makes our coffees, and teas taste better is a little sugar. It adds that sweet flair to a bland and not that appetising (well to the majority at least) cup of Joe. But could you believe that the sweetener we grew up to love and enjoy, started a racial onslaught that has continued today? It was the main contributor to the biggest slave trade of the 15 century. It’s what was branded as the great sugar revolution. Now I ask you to travel back with me to the 1600s, to a place that was once known as the new world, and let’s look at how this all began.

Now in this time, there was a decline in the production of tobacco, which was the main source of income aboard the European continent. Also, a need for a new sweetener to appease the European “tea time” needs were required. Because of these reasons, the European decided to begin the great sugar revolution. But a new labour force was required, as the “lesser Europeans” (Scottish, Irish etc.) could not coup with the high physical labour demands that this new era brought with it. And as such the African slave trade began. Now you can read a history book or use the medium in which you are using to view this blog (the internet) to see exactly how the African slave trade went, and the harshness and cruelty that it brought with it. I just wanted to bring your attention to the fact that something that no matter what races you are, whether African-American, Caucasian or Oriental you enjoy the taste of sugar. We all do. But it lead to this great racial segregation among our youth today.

African-America children being treated less than their peers

And it’s not only the black–white racial discrimination that has plagued our society. But if you were to look back in the era of tobacco production we clearly see how the Scottish and Irish were treated less than the English and French were, showing signs that there are classes and division in our own ethnic group. Therefore, the racial feud between the “Blacks” and “Whites” maybe prominent, but not self-existent. For the “Whites” are subdivided. Now how is it that Canada, being the great diasporic nation that it is, be so deeply embedded with racial discrimination?

They say time heals all wounds, so one would think that racism would decrease with the passing of time right? But isn’t that the exact opposite of how things are today? It’s like the more time that passes, the more our youths and society on a whole is being affected by this growing epidemic. Adolf Hitler described the Jewish people as a lesser race, leading to the Holocaust of 1933. But if you want something more recent, look at Trayvon Martin and how he was brutally murdered. 

Police brutality towards African-American young males

I never knew that a pack of skittles looked like a revolver. So much so that it forced a police officer to act in self-defence and uproot another African-American life from our society. But even if you don’t remember the Trayvon case, or you never heard about it at all, I’m sure you have heard of the recent reports of police brutality. I’m not a fan of the news and even I know of the continual depletion of the “Blacks” from our society. Another life lost. Another future doctor, president, lawyer, or even a sanitary engineer’s body being committed to the earth. But I don’t even have to go as far as the horrific murders to outline the effects of racism. For I know many of you reading this have experience some form of racism in your life. Whether it’s that discriminating stare, the poor treatment, or the teasing. Many of us know what it’s like to witness racism first hand. Whether it be receiving it or dishing it out.

What are we as a society going to do about this growing monster called racism? Are we going to protect our children and youth from it and find a way to vanquish it and tyranny from our world or let racism continue its rampage through our society? It’s hard to believe that something as sweet as sugar could start something as sour as racism.