LIFESTYLE

Viola Desmond Becomes the First Black Person to Appear on Canadian Currency

Published

7 years ago

March 14, 2018

FAB.NG

Viola Desmond Becomes the First Black Person to Appear on Canadian Currency

Almost a decade before Rosa Parks sparked the civil rights movement in the US, a woman in Nova Scotia kicked off Canada’s with a similar act of defiance at a segregated movie theater.

And this month, that woman, Viola Desmond, became the first black person to appear on Canadian currency. She’s also the first woman to appear alone who’s not a British royal.

The Bank of Canada unveiled a new $10 bill featuring Desmond last week on International Women’s Day. She was selected after an open call for nominations for an iconic Canadian woman to appear on a redesigned banknote, the bank said in a statement. The new bill will be in circulation by the end of the year.

Canadian Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Desmond's sister Wanda Robson and Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz, right, helped unveil the design for the new bank note.

Her story

The then-32-year-old business owner and beautician from Halifax stepped into history in November 1946 when she tried to go see a movie. Desmond, who was on the road selling her beauty products, went to the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow to kill some time while her car was being repaired.

She bought a ticket and sat in a seat on the theater’s main floor, which was reserved for whites only. Blacks were expected to sit in the balcony.

Desmond refused to leave her seat after an usher asked her to move. So officers dragged her out and tossed her in jail.

What she was charged with was essentially tax evasion — failing to pay the full tax on the more expensive main floor ticket. The difference in tax over the balcony ticket? Just one cent.

Canada’s new $10 note featuring Viola Desmond.

At the time, Canada didn’t have Jim Crow-type laws dictating that the races remain separate. But many Canadian businesses, like the Roseland Theatre, enforced unwritten rules on segregation.

Desmond was convicted but later appealed it.

That effort went all the way to Nova Scotia’s Supreme Court — and failed. But it in turn fired up the province’s black community.

The Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People used that momentum in a number of campaigns that led to desegregation of workplaces in the province, according to theCanadian Museum for Human Rights.

Desmond died in 1965 in New York at the age of 50.

Her honors

The honors for Desmond, who is sometimes refered to as Canada’s Rosa Parks, go far beyond the bank note. She’s been honored with a Canadian postage stamp. She’s had a ferry in Halifax named for her as well as a street. She’s had her portrait hung in the ballroom of Government House, the official residence of the lieutenant governor of the province.

But most importantly, she was granted a posthumous apology and pardon in 2010 for her arrest and conviction

Source: CNN

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ENTERTAINMENT

Our Parent’s Generation Didn’t Support Their Children’s Talents – Phyno

Published

5 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Reporter

Phyno Says His Parents Didn't Support His Career | fab.ng

Nigerian rapper Phyno praised today’s parents for showing greater support for their children’s talents than the previous generation did.

During his interview on the In My Opinion Podcast, the renowned musician shared his personal experience. He revealed that his parents initially discouraged his musical ambitions.

Phyno explained that the current generation of parents is more understanding and open-minded about their children’s aspirations. This creates a more supportive environment for young talent to flourish.

“My parents didn’t support my career when I first started. It’s different now,” he said.

He added, “I think the generation after my parents understands what it means to support their children’s talent and knows that there is something special about a child who loves music, or a child who loves to play ball.”

The rapper compared the two generations. He emphasized how children in the past were often disciplined for pursuing their artistic dreams.

“Then, when parents come home and see you playing ball, they beat you and seize the ball and give you punishment. You understand me?” he said.

Phyno applauded today’s parents for identifying and fostering their children’s talents, be it in music, sports, or other fields.

“I’m just trying to say that era and this era are different. Now any father who sees his son can play ball and enrols him in an academy. Some, at 1 year old already buy you a ball and say you must play ball like Neymar,” he explained.

Phyno also acknowledged the shift in perception surrounding creative careers, saying,

“Different generations, you know and I also don’t blame my parents. I’m sure that the money in music now was never in music then. They also look at people who did music back then as useless people. As people who just wanted to carry dreadlocks and walk around. But now everyone sees the talent and a gift to be shared to the world, and shout-out to this era of parents.”

Check out more updates here.

ENTERTAINMENT

See Complete List Of Nominees At The FilmJoint Awards 2025

Published

8 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Reporter

2025 FilmJoint Awards: See Complete List Of Nominees | fab.ng

The 2025 Filmjoint Awards are fast approaching, and the excitement is building as the full list of nominees is finally out. This year’s nominations highlight exceptional films that span various genres, styles, and talents.

Each nominated film brings something unique and captivating, showcasing an incredible range of cinematic creativity. As we count down to the 2025 Filmjoint Awards, these films are set to compete fiercely across multiple categories, aiming for top honours.

The diverse selection of nominees reflects the rich talent in the industry, making the 2025 Filmjoint Awards a must-watch event.

Let’s dive into the standout films leading the race and vying for this year’s prestigious awards.

BEST PICTURE

Bunuelesque
Jujuman
Conversations From The Past
The Birth
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Love, Olaitan

BEST DIRECTOR

Better Place
Maki
The Major
The Birth
The Veil
Cry Me Awake
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Love, Olaitan
Conversations From The Past

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Bunueleque
Jujuman
Ibrahim
Dojo
Wiedergeburt (Rebirth)

BEST AFRICAN FILM

The Interrogation of Lotanna
Conversations from The past
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Mike and Mariam
Taama

BEST INDIGENOUS FILM (NIGERIA)

Man and Masquerades
Edeleyo – The Decision
Psyched
Tele Tele
Cry Me Awake
Love, Olaitan
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Ume (Breathe)
Honeycomb
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Veil
The Major
The Birth
The Delectable Azeezah Sama
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Sweat and Blood
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Love, Olaitan
Conversations From The Past
Bush Baby

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Edeleyo – The Decision
The Birth
Cry Me Awake
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Love, Olaitan
Conversations From The Past
The Major
Bush Baby
Sweat and Blood

BEST SOUND OVERALL

Edeleyo – The Decision
The Birth
The Major
Tele Tele
The Delectable Azeezah Sama
The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Bush Baby
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Love, Olaitan
Conversations From The Past

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

The Interrogation Of Lotanna
Breakfast Over Dinner
Kaseko
Man and Masquerades
Road Trip
The Delectable Azeezah Sama
Turning Point
Tele Tele
The Last Word
Bush Baby

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

The Birth
Cry Me Awake
Maki
The Delectable Azeezah Sama
Sealed
Anthology of Emotions
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Ume (Breathe)
Psyched
Conversations From The Past
The Last Word

BEST SCREENPLAY (ORIGINAL OR ADAPTED)

The Birth
Better Place
Maki
Turning Point
Conversations From The Past
Bodmas
Love, Olaitan
Cry Me Awake
Honeycomb
Last Cab Home

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Edeleyo – The Decision
The Major
Cry Me Awake
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Conversations From The Past
Tele Tele
The Veil
Oke Okuta
Bush Baby
The Birth

BEST MAKE-UP/SFX

Bush Baby
The Major
Cry Me Awake
Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride
Edeleyo – The Decision
Sweat and Blood

BEST FILM EDITING

The Birth
Psyched
The Veil
The Major
Jude
Bush Baby
The Albino Story
Conversations From The Past
The Delectable Azeezah Sama
Road Trip

BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM

On Your Own
Sipping Words
Agbo: Poison or Remedy
The Way We Are
28 days
Ade: Depth of Devotion
Afrobunk

BEST STUDENT FILM

Rekiya
Flawed Cupid
Angel in the Stone
Ijo, A Dance
Abiku: Enigma
The Last Sane Man In Lagos
Endless Loop

JURY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STORYTELLING

The Birth
Love, Olaitan
Conversations From The Past
The Interrogation of Lotanna
Honeycomb

FILMJOINT AWARD FOR VOICE OF IMPACT

Kaseko
Bodmas
Sonu
Sealed
Listen
Man and Masquerades
Better place
28 Days
On Your Own
The Albino Story

Check out more updates here.

FASHION

How The Speedy Bag Became A New Menswear Favourite

Published

21 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

Louis Vuitton Speedy bag: The New Menswear Favourite | fab.ng

The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, once a celebrity favourite in the early 2000s, is making a resurgence as the go-to accessory for the new style, and this time it is men who are adopting the iconic top-handle look.

Pharrell Williams, the musician and creative director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear, has revitalized the classic piece by introducing bold colours and playful designs.

The new Louis Vuitton Speedy bag also has found favour among other style-conscious men. This goes from actor Jacob Elordi, known for his love of statement bags, to NBA star LeBron James.

Unlike its previous run as a flashy, attention-grabbing accessory, today’s Speedy bag appears more nonchalant. It blends seamlessly with traditional menswear pieces such as Elordi’s tailored jeans and James’s bomber jacket.

The Speedy’s resurgence mirrors a larger trend, as purses and bags become essential accessories in men’s fashion. As more male celebrities adopt the Speedy, the bag is becoming a symbol of modern masculinity. It portrays a statement piece that says “I’m confident, I’m stylish, and I’m not afraid to carry my stuff.”

The rise of the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag in popularity among men can be attributed to several factors.

First, the bag’s versatility makes it a practical choice for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re heading to the office, running errands, or going out for a night on the town, the Speedy can be dressed up or down to suit your needs.

Second, the bag’s iconic status and association with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton make it a coveted accessory for those who want to project an image of wealth and sophistication.

Finally, the Speedy’s recent resurgence in popularity has been fueled by celebrity endorsements and social media influencers. Seeing celebrities and fashion icons carrying the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag has made it a must-have accessory for many men.

The Speedy’s resurgence also speaks to a broader shift in men’s fashion. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more expressive and individualistic styles of dressing.

Men are no longer afraid to experiment with different looks and to embrace accessories that reflect their personality. The Speedy is the perfect accessory for this new generation of stylish men. It is a versatile, iconic, and stylish bag that can be worn with a variety of different outfits.

In conclusion, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag is a timeless classic that is experiencing a well-deserved resurgence in popularity.

Whether you’re a fan of the original design or the new, updated version, the Speedy is sure to be a stylish and practical addition to your wardrobe.

Check out more fashion reads here.