The Partial Defeat and Total Confusion in the Ill-Advised Fight Against Henry Dundas, as recounted by Michael Taube
Commentary
Toronto’s political left fought tooth and nail to change the name of Dundas Street and eradicate the legacy of the individual that the name honoured, Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. This controversial battle has ended in partial defeat and a state of total confusion.
Let’s explore why.
George Floyd’s high-profile murder by a white police officer on May 25, 2020, led to the Black Lives Matter protests. During this turbulent time, many supporters called for the removal of monuments and memorials along with name changes.
Why was it targeted to begin with?
The historical facts are somewhat different.
“I am of opinion with him, that the continuation of it is not effential to the prefervation and continuance of our trade with the W. India Iflands, I am of opinion that there is no mortality in that quarter that is incurable, and that the human race may not only be maintained, but increafed in the Weft India Iflands. In all thefe great leading questions I concur with my Honorable Friend. It may then be afked, Do you not agree then, to the Abolition of the Trade? I anfwer, that neither do I differ in this opinion.”
Dundas also proposed an amendment to Wilberforce’s original motion, “That the Slave Trade ought gradually to be abolifhed.” He believed immediate abolition could lead to “other nations [to] take up the trade” and an illegal slave market. Hence, his “moderate measures” would hopefully prevent these potential scenarios from occurring.
The British Parliament adopted Dundas’s amendment. It passed by a vote of 230–85.
Dundas’s position to gradually abolish the slave trade remains controversial and debatable. Existing history and more recent research seem to prove it wasn’t motivated by racism or economic gain.
Councillors decided on Dec. 14 to forego renaming Dundas Street. Instead, they will rename Yonge-Dundas Square as Sankofa Square next year. The Jane/Dundas Library will also be renamed in 2024, and the Dundas and Dundas West subway stations could soon follow.
Sankofa is an odd choice. The word originates from Ghana’s Akan tribe and means “to retrieve” and “go back and get.” It’s also represented by a mythical bird. This has no real history or meaning in Toronto—or Canada.
What are Toronto city councillors going to say and do about this? Time will tell. It seems unlikely they’ll abolish Sankofa as quickly as they wanted to abolish Dundas.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.