Repentigny — Café Manioky resonated with the rhythms of memory, art, and powerful voices during the cabaret “Legacy of the Resisters,” presented as part of Black History Month. Before a packed house, the event brought together citizens of the region around a shared theme.
If clear: to create a space for meeting and reflection on the resistance of black people, while highlighting the creativity of youth and the power of the arts as tools for raising awareness.
At the heart of the evening, several poetry readings resonated deeply with the audience. Texts addressing racism, exclusion, and human dignity—written by young people as part of the “My Pen Against Racism” competition—were read aloud by the young people present, offering lucid, moving, and resolutely forward-looking voices. Through their words, these young people reminded us that literature and speaking out can become acts of resistance, capable of breaking the silence and opening up dialogue.
The program also featured a lecture by Marie Célie Agnant on the theme of resistance. In a presentation praised for its depth, she addressed resistance as an essential response to violence and systems of dehumanization, emphasizing the importance of naming realities, understanding the mechanisms of racism, and equipping oneself with the tools to act. Her message stressed a fundamental lever: education, historical knowledge, and the development of critical awareness to transform struggles into lasting action.
For Pierre Richard Thomas, director of LAKAY, this evening demonstrated precisely that resistance is also built in places of culture and gathering: «To resist is not just to denounce. It is to stand up, to educate oneself, to create spaces where our young people can speak, write, be heard, and build pride. Tonight, seeing the hall full and the young people speaking out, we understand that resistance is alive and well: it
It is passed on, learned, and shared.»
The event is part of the regional Black History Month initiative in Lanaudière, coordinated by the Lanaudière Black History Month Roundtable. Throughout the month, the Roundtable and its partners offer several activities in various municipalities across the region to celebrate heritage, strengthen community ties, and foster meaningful dialogue about the issues faced by Black communities.
With enthusiastic participation and a packed house, “Legacy of the Resistance” confirms the importance of fostering more cultural and civic spaces where people can listen, learn, create, and reflect together. The public is invited to follow the program of upcoming activities for Black History Month in Lanaudière and to continue to keep alive, through their presence and solidarity, a memory focused on justice and the future.