Editorial on Education: Crossing the Colour Line

macdonald_education.pdf

A primary Source Analysis of The Dawn of Tomorrow Volume 2, Issue unknown. This article was published on July 21st, 1928.

In Southern Ontario, the education system was still widely segregated. Despite having some schools offer education to both races, the discriminatory housing market often put African Canadian children together in a nearby school. The African Canadian neighbourhoods, including the schools located within them, were typically struggling financially. Even though the education system continued to manifest the colour line, J. F. Jenkins believed that parents of African Canadian children should continue to enroll their children in school. Jenkins’ messages persuaded some families, but the limited job opportunities for coloured graduates stopped some parents from continuing their children’s education.

Written by Katelyn Macdonald.