(En)countering History and Racism by the Elevator

A few summers ago, I signed up for the Ontario Black History Society’s (OBHS) walking tour[1] in downtown Toronto. I took the tour not only because of the importance of learning Black history, but also because the walking method seemed to be a way of feeling the histories in their respective spaces. I was intrigued to experience how the OBHS tour guides might present the city as a living museum where everyday streets are ever-changing interactive exhibits. When I and two friends—both women of colour—met the OBHS tour guides—both Black women—our journey began in what was once the southern end of The Ward.