vi-desmond

[vi-desmond]

...i read your wikipedia page...how many jobs have you had...

Hello!

Haha yeah, sometimes I forget that exists. I feel humbled being so widely known to so many people.

Well, for a while I taught in two racially segregated school for black children. But later I began studying at the Field Beauty Culture School in Montreal (one of the few institutions in Canada that accepted Black applicants at the time). After continuing my training in Atlantic City and New York, I opened Vi’s Studio of Beauty Culture in Halifax, to cater to the Black community. Pretty cool, right?

In the early 20th century after hair salons got big, I ended up opening a beauty school -- the Desmond School of Beauty Culture--, to train women and because of it I was able to expand my business across the province.

In fact, enjoy a picture of the graduating class from the Desmond School in 1947. That's me, second from the left.

Thanks for the ask!

[vi-desmond]

Sat on my desk with righteous fury listening to A Tribe called Quest’s We The People. They may have wanted us gone, but we will always stay and fight. We always have and we always will.

[vi-desmond]

I was curious about your family. What are they like? (sorry if this sounds invasive, feel free to ignore this if it makes you uncomfortable)

That’s alright. I don’t mind sharing.

I was born on July 6th in 1914 in Halifax to my parents James & Gwendolin and ten brothers and sisters. My father was raised in a middle-class black family, and worked for several years as a stevedore before establishing himself as a barber. My mother, Gwen, was the daughter of white minister who had moved to Halifax from New Haven, Connecticut.

Our parents were highly regarded within the black community where we lived thanks to their activism. If I could take a guess, they're probably the reason why I am the way I am. To this day I still feel inspired by their example hard work and community involvement. They were incredible people.

Thanks for the ask!

[vi-desmond]

your taste in music is so good omg??? feed the peasants and drop us a playlist king

The people have spoken.

[vi-desmond]

I got an ask the other day asking about what someone as an individual might do to create change in their community. Now I can't force you, but I think everyone should listen to Change by H.E.R., there are more than a few good ideas in there. Some of my favorite ones mentioned in the lyrics are:

Writing a letter to your mayor

Attend a city counsel meeting (pay attention and know your rights!)

Education changes the cycle

Remember to go out and vote it because yours always counts

Attend a local protest and make statement

Join or start a campaign

And remember:

No you're never too young to make a difference You have the power to be an active citizen

Give it a listen!

[vi-desmond]

What's up Vi? I really want to help out in my community, but I'm not sure how best to go about it. What would you do?

Hi! While I do have some suggestions, I'll also share with you what I did, as I feel like it might be helpful.

The year was 1946. I was on my way to New Glasgow when my car broke down. When I went to get help, I was told the repair would take several hours, so I booked a hotel room went to the a theatre to kill time.

I bought a ticket for the main floor, but the person selling it to me told me that the balcony was generally reserved for non-white customers. I told them no, that I was going to watch on the main floor with everyone else. Then they refused to sell me the seat, I decided that I was going to take a seat on the main floor anyway.

The manager then confronted me saying that the theatre had the right to refuse admission to any objectionable person. I pointed out that I had in fact not been refused, and showed him the ticket I had bought in my hand. When still I declined to leave my seat, I was dragged out of theatre by a police officer, and taken to jail cell where I was held overnight. Truthfully, I was terrified. But I was even more determined not to let them see me deterred. I sat bolt upright all night long.

The next morning I was brought to court and charged with attempting to defraud the provincial government based on my refusal to pay one cent tax. Throughout the trial, I was not provided with legal representation or informed that i was entitled to any.

At no point during the proceedings was the issue of race mentioned. It was clear that my real offense was to violate the implicit rule that Black persons were to sit in the balcony seats, segregated from the White persons main floor.

I contacted a lawyer in order to reverse my charge. Our case never made it to trial, since the 10-day deadline for filling and appeal had passed and the conviction stood. We lost. I think one of the biggest misconceptions about change is that it's easy and immediate. It isn't. Change took time then, and it still does today. I'm not sure how much I got done in the end, but I can say with certainty that my choice to resist the status quo and band together with a community no doubt helped in ending a second-class life of black people in Canada.

Hopefully this helps!

[vi-desmond]

Listened to We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister for the first time today during a protest and felt really empowered! I didn't take it when they wanted me out of that theater, and neither should you!

[vi-desmond]

Cannot agree more with Green Day when they said silence is an enemy from their Know Your Enemy. If you want to create change in your community, one of the first steps is to speak up!

Have you been discriminated against because of your gender identity? Speak up. Get kicked out of a theater for being black in this day and age? Speak up. Lose your job because you advocated for yourself? THEN SPEAK UP

[vi-desmond]

Hey Viola! Do you have any recommendations for music written by strong, black women such as yourself?

You're too kind anon, I'm flattered!

Stronger by Janelle Monáe-- Written by a black women as a reflection of what we can accomplish when we stand together as a community! I thought of this song over and over again while me and the others were raising money to fight my conviction-- and guess what? We got it done!

Underdog by Alicia Keys gets me every time, also written by a fellow black women who urges everyone-- from marginalized communities to essential workers who go unseen to find the heart to keep going. Truly a great listen for when you're feeling down and need a pick me up to continue fighting (or taking on the world!)

If I'm just one person will my voice even stand out?

In Change, H.E.R. gets it! This is the song I recommend the most for a person of any gender or any race who wants to find a way to help out. In Change, you can find countless ideas of places to start making it-- no matter who you are!

Thanks for the ask!