Windsor woman rejects 'African-American' label

A black woman says people in Windsor should rethink the term they use when referring to people such as her.

Linda McCurdy'sancestors escaped from slavery in the United States and arrived in Amherstburg 185 years ago.

I've been here long enough not to have to identify with some place else.- Linda McCurdy

"People ask me if I'm African-American, and I say, 'I'm not African-American. I'm Canadian. I'm a black person from Canada. I'm an indigenous, Canadian black,' McCurdy told CBC's Windsor Morning.

McCurdy is a lawyer andactivist who coaches track and cheerleading.

Her father, HowardMcCurdy, served on Windsor city council, and later as an NDP Member of Parliament.

• LaSalle's Howard McCurdy named to Order of Ontario

McCurdysaidshe isfrustrated by the lack of understanding people have about the long history many black families have in this country, even those who are well-meaning.

"People - particularly in this community - think, 'Oh well, that must be the politically correct thing to call somebodynow, because that's what they say onTV,' " she said. "I've been here long enough not to have to identify with some place else, in my respectful opinion."

McCurdy said the African-American or African-Canadian label may fit other black Canadians. For example, she has friends who are directly descended from Nigeria, and are very proud of their Nigerian heritage.

Not all blacks are recent immigrants

In larger cities, McCurdy said people have other misconceptions. She has talked with a cousinliving in Toronto who is constantly asked where she is from.

"The concept for Canadians is that if you're black, you're an immigrant, and you're a recent immigrant, because they haven't learned the history of the Underground Railroad, so they don't know who we are and how we got here," she explained.

• Being Black in Canada

The McCurdy family isfeatured in a new exhibit that opens Wednesday at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum.

It will remain on display until March 30.