Reflections: Montreal Life

The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network will be celebrating its tenth anniversary on June 25, 2010, a decade after its founding conference in Lennoxville where over 130 delegates gathered from all corners of the province to launch the new organization. QAHN was born of a desire to explore and promote the history and heritage of Quebec from an Anglophone perspective – or, put another way, to advance awareness of that portion of our history that was the result of people who expressed themselves in English.

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer” – Zora Hurston

I don’t remember the knives but the smells are still sharp, and part of the memories. Growing up Black in Little Burgundy: did I grow up Black, or did I grow up and become Black? Where did it all begin? My experiences of being Black-are entwined with my sense of belonging, of community.

It was a multi-ethnic community, with Chinese families sharing my street with French families. And right around my corner was a whole new world: Italian neighbours who lived in their own enclave with smells of wine, spices and other herbs I still don’t have words for.

An integral part of Montreal’s linguistic Mosaic is an institution that began its existence here in the early days of the 1930’s Depression. Like the country, it has grown in size, sophistication, and linguistic variety, and it has experienced difficulties, but always its purpose has been the intellectual growth and integration of the individual into the (Anglophone) community, the province and the nation. It has also, of course, exported its product internationally for worldwide benefit.

Playwright’s Notes

How did you come to be living here, to be a “Montrealer”?

During Quebec’s political turmoil of the1970s, when family, friends and colleagues departed Montreal in droves, it seemed for some of us who remained as if life’s anchors, and life’s fun, had been yanked away.

Find a durable surface
that withstands
outdoor wear and tear

Utilize high-quality grout
(adhesive that
binds and
unifies the mosaic)

Select a
conventional shade
of grout
(it will be neutral
to the eye)

Follow the grouting instructions
thoroughly
Should you omit a step in
the process
you may
risk losing the mosaic
altogether
(you cannot have a solid mosaic
without having a solid foundation)

Go to an arts supply store to find tesserae
(mosaic pieces)

The above is the kitschy slogan of Montreal's most unusual new radio station, CJRS -- Radio Shalom, at 1650 on the a.m. dial. What is more unusual is that CJRS is North America's only full-time Jewish station. For 24 hours a day, 6 days a week (we're off the air for the Sabbath) a multiplicity of Jewish sounds cascades from our studios near Montreal's landmark Orange Julep.