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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 11, 2016 | 6 `Learn how to stand up and speak up': Chintoh by Nathan Howes special to the Beaver Spotlight "Connected to your Community" H istory is important because it enriches us and teaches us to make more sensible choices, says Jojo Chintoh. The former Canadian television journalist and Passages Canada speaker drove home the message last Thursday (Feb. 4) during his presentation to hundreds of students at Oakville's E.J. James Public School to mark Black History Month. Chintoh discussed his life story, career in Canada and race relations. Passages Canada, a Historica Canada initiative, sends volunteer speakers to schools and community groups across the country every year to encourage Canadians to consider themes such as diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion. "Sadly, as I stand here today, slavery still goes on in this world. What are you going to do about it, if you see it? Are you going to try to stop it?" Chintoh asked. "Whenever you see a wrong, stand up and correct it. Say something. You have to learn to stand up and speak up." Born in Ghana, West Africa, Chintoh is a member of the Royal Family of the Fante tribe, who moved to Canada with his family in 1969, at the age of 25. "Opportunities back home were limited, so I went somewhere else to grow and enrich myself with more knowledge and skills. I was talking to a friend who suggested, `Why don't you try Canada?' I knew nothing about Canada," said Chintoh. In 1972, Chintoh was one of 13 interns hired by the Toronto Star -- chosen from 2,000 student applicants across Canada. "That was my very rst taste of Canadian journalism when I worked for the Toronto Star ," he said. He was also editor of several newspapers, including Contrast, a national publication for Canada's black community. Sadly, as I stand here today, slavery still goes on in this world. What are you going to do about it, if you see it? Are you going to try to stop it? Whenever you see a wrong, stand up and correct it. Say something. You have to learn to stand up and speak up. former journalist, Passages Canada speaker Jojo Chintoh Veteran journalist Jojo Chintoh spoke to students at E.J. James School to celebrate Black History Month. A speaker for Passages Canada, Chintoh was born in Ghana, West Africa, is a member of the Royal Family of the Fante tribe, and after moving to Canada, rst worked for the Toronto Star. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Chintoh joined Citytv full time in 1978 as its rst black reporter and remained there for about 30 years. "I was somewhat of a pioneer when I was going for the job. You didn't see anyone on TV that looked like you. People underestimate the effect visuals have on you. It's encouraging and inspirational to look at someone who looks like you," said Chintoh. "I was just doing my job as a journalist, but everywhere I went, people that were black, or some kind of colour, even Russians, would come up to me and say, `We're so glad that you're on TV because you're different.' "Somehow, they were just pleased I was there. I just did my job, but it encouraged others to think they could get there, too," he added. While Chintoh has received admiration from others for inspiring them to pursue their dreams, "for black people, life didn't start easy for us" in North America, he said. "There were slaves in Canada, but not too many. In 1833, the British government banned slavery in all of its territories. Canada was a British colony, which meant anybody here, who was a slave, was no longer a slave," said Chintoh. "However, the practice of slavery continued in the southern United States, in most states. Depending on where you lived, you could still be a slave, or not. Slavery lasted more than 500 years. They brought people here and sold them." One of the notable gures Chintoh discussed was Richard Pierpoint, who was captured at age 16 in Africa and brought to the U.S. in 1760. He was then sold to a British of cer. "Fortunately, for him, he was brought back as a British soldier. He never really became a slave. He became what is called a man servant. He looked after the soldiers," said Chintoh. After more than 20 years, he won his emancipation by ghting as a member of Butler's Rangers in the American Revolution. "Mr. Pierpoint was a leader of this group of blacks. There were 12 of them. If they were arrested and taken back to the U.S., it was back to slavery," said Chintoh. Pierpoint was one of thousands of Black Loyalists who came to Canada once the American Revolution ended. Chintoh noted Pierpoint was the rst settler in St. Catharines, Ont., and was given 200 acres of land by the British for his support in the con ict. "All he wanted was to go back home to Africa... he never went back. But he fought for equal rights and petitioned the Queen for land, for blacks," said Chintoh. "Stand up and ght. Raise your voice. It's the only way that things are going to get better." For more information on Passages Canada, visit www.passagescanada. ca. Volume 54 | Number 12 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 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