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Segregation in Nova Scotia during the 1800s

Segregation in Nova Scotia was primarily focused between the 1830s-1870s in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The term describes the enforced separation of Black and white individuals. Black people faced various forms and acts of discrimination regarding education, living spaces, and other leading factors.

Education

Primary schools in Halifax began to segregate Black students in the 19th century. The province planned to keep them away from white students. Superintendent of Education Egerton Ryerson allowed discrimination in Canadian public schools, turning school segregation into the new norm. White Canadian families voiced their opinions toward Black children in schools to the public- they opposed to the idea of their children being mixed with them. An accumulated fear arose that Black students would be a bad influence. Black exclusion allowed teachers to start their own schools due to the ongoing mistreatement. These Black-owned schools hardly recieved any support from government officials and were paid poorly. The schools were also underfunded and did not run for an extended period.

Nova Scotia enacted a legislation to exclude Black children from schools in 1865. it was not until 1884 that a new amendment was to be passed, stating that racial segregation could not occur. However, segregation still continued in Halifax in disregard to the legislation.