Carrie Best: A Story of Strength and Determination
It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword; the power of communication and outreach is a much more effective tool than resorting to violence. This was a long-held belief of Carrie Best, who after witnessing and experiencing much racism and discrimination during her lifetime, dedicated her life to working as a civil rights activist; advocating for the black community and other marginalized groups in Canada. Best inspired Canadians to take action against intolerance through her intelligent and thought provoking written pieces which appeared in the fittingly titled “Human Rights” column in Nova Scotia’s Pictou Advocate newspaper, her own publication the Clarion, as well as through her radio program which featured prominent black voices from the community.
Carrie Best was born on March 4, 1903 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia during a time of intense racial discrimination. In her early years, Best demonstrated her sharp wit and tenacity in the form of poetry and opinion pieces that were submitted to various publications. Carrie’s parents James and Georgina Prevoe encouraged their daughter to study and stay in touch with her black heritage. This likely inspired her to study the literary works of other notable black writers, and through this learn more about her culture, and the challenges faced by those in her community.
Carrie Best was never one to stay silent; she simply would not accept the constraints that were placed on black Canadians. After hearing of high school girls who had been thrown out of a movie theatre for daring to sit in the “white” section, Best became infuriated. She also went to the Roseland theatre as a symbol of solidarity, and refused to be seated in the “black” section. Unfortunately, she was also physically removed from the building. She bravely took her case to court charging the event as a human rights violation. Though she lost her case, this propelled her to fight even harder for the rights of her people.
The lack of representation for the black community in Nova Scotia concerned her, so with this in mind she and her son launched their own newspaper The Clarion. The paper featured articles relating to black issues and served to bridge the gap between those in the black community and the rest of Nova Scotia. The Clarion became the first Nova Scotian newspaper owned by Black Canadians. This was a feat of historic proportions as it allowed for the issue of racism to be brought to the forefront. Best continued to support her fellow black Canadians and brought attention to case of Viola Desmond, whose experience was another defining moment in the fight for civil rights in Canada. Best stood united with Desmond and featured her case prominently in the Clarion.
Though Desmond lost her court case, the work done by both women made race relations a topic of conversation all over Canada. In the subsequent years, Best also started her own radio program after finding none that fit her liking. She started the “Quiet Corner” which debuted in 1952 with a mixture of inspirational poetry and music. In 1968, Best was hired by the Pictou Advocate to write a human rights column which advocated for Indigenous rights as well as the rights of other marginalized groups. Perhaps one of her most famous columns centered around the discrimination faced by black landowners on Vale Road. These property owners were being overtaxed to ensure that they would sell their property in order to launch new developments in the area. Carrie Best refused to stay silent on this issue, she conducted a thorough investigation and published her findings which were also used in a report to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
Carrie Best is the epitome of courage and determination, she had everything riding against her being a person of colour, as well as a woman. Yet against the odds she started a powerful newspaper publication, her own radio program, and continued to fight against injustices up until her last breath. She embraced her black identity, and her work ensured that those around her could do so as well. In 1979, Best became an officer of the order of Canada recognized for her unrelenting commitment to the underprivileged. Carrie Best was instrumental in pointing out the wrongdoing in her community and fighting for those without a voice. Canada has come a long way since the first publication of the Clarion, however, we must continue Best’s work to erase racism and injustice from all facets of our lives.
“AFRICAN CANADIAN ONLINE.” African Canadian Online: An Online Resource by the Centre for the Study of Black Cultures in Canada, York University, www.yorku.ca/aconline/c_profiles.html#carriebest.
“Carrie M. Best/A Digital Archive.” Carrie Best | Pictou Regional Library |, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, www.parl.ns.ca/carriebest/advocateyears.html.
McLeod, Susanna. “Carrie Best.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/carrie-best/.