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Honestly, both cities have such a tiny black population that there will be no difference between which one you end up in. Both cities have more Asians/South-Asians than they do blacks. Generally anywhere in Canada, being African-American is a non-issue, or if anything - a novelty. There is more of a black community in Toronto, and in Montreal, the black community consists of immigrants from French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean.
My only anecdote to give you, make of it what you will, is of a Canadian-born girl of Japanese heritage, who was in a British Columbia history class I took last year at UBC in Vancouver. We were discussing race-based prejudice and institutionalized racism experienced by Asians in Vancouver in 1907 and during WWII. We were discussing aspects of racism, and she then claimed that she was denied entry into a nightclub in Calgary because of her race, simply because Calgary was having a problem with Asian gang violence in nightclubs... so they wouldn't allow her in, simply because of that. If you Google this up, you'll find several instances of this occurring in Calgary.
Between the two, Edmonton is known more as a government town, but it also has a flourishing arts/festival scene with a lot of cool people and a solid university. Calgary is known more as an economic hotspot with a corporate culture that revolves around the natural resource industry (ie: oil). Its major festival is the Calgary Stampede (cowboy culture). Some compare Calgary as a blend between Houston and Denver.
Both cities are somewhat sprawling surburbia in the midst of rolling prairies and have much more in common with eachother than any other Canadian city, despite the fact that they're famously feuding cities. Calgary's about an hour's drive to the Rockies (Banff National Park). Edmonton's about 4 hours (Jasper National Park). Edmonton to Calgary's about a 2.5 hour drive down a straight, flat freeway.
Last edited by Robynator; 10-14-2007 at 10:51 PM..
Honestly, both cities have such a tiny black population that there will be no difference between which one you end up in. Both cities have more Asians/South-Asians than they do blacks. Generally anywhere in Canada, being African-American is a non-issue, or if anything - a novelty. There is more of a black community in Toronto, and in Montreal, the black community consists of immigrants from French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean.
My only anecdote to give you, make of it what you will, is of a Canadian-born girl of Japanese heritage, who was in a British Columbia history class I took last year at UBC in Vancouver. We were discussing race-based prejudice and institutionalized racism experienced by Asians in Vancouver in 1907 and during WWII. We were discussing aspects of racism, and she then claimed that she was denied entry into a nightclub in Calgary because of her race, simply because Calgary was having a problem with Asian gang violence in nightclubs... so they wouldn't allow her in, simply because of that. If you Google this up, you'll find several instances of this occurring in Calgary.
Between the two, Edmonton is known more as a government town, but it also has a flourishing arts/festival scene with a lot of cool people and a solid university. Calgary is known more as an economic hotspot with a corporate culture that revolves around the natural resource industry (ie: oil). Its major festival is the Calgary Stampede (cowboy culture). Some compare Calgary as a blend between Houston and Denver.
Both cities are somewhat sprawling surburbia in the midst of rolling prairies and have much more in common with eachother than any other Canadian city, despite the fact that they're famously feuding cities. Calgary's about an hour's drive to the Rockies (Banff National Park). Edmonton's about 4 hours (Jasper National Park). Edmonton to Calgary's about a 2.5 hour drive down a straight, flat freeway.
Thank you for the detailed information...I really appreciate it!
Originally Posted by Valri Ary [URL="//www.city-data.com/forum/canada/164079-best-city-blacks-calgary-edmonton-2.html#post1786919"]//pics3.city-data.com/forum/ima...s/viewpost.gif[/URL] In Canada the blacks don't call themselves African-Canadians.......just a bit of heads up for you there, buddy. Just black.
Actually, I consider myself to be an African Canadian, as do most black Nova Scotians. We have an active community there, with our own black museum that princess Dianna once visited.
I moved to Calgary, and it's seems like an ok place. It's not an action packed city, but it's not a dusty town, like I originally expected.
I haven't seen a black church or community group yet. I hope I find one!
Which is the best city to live and work for blacks: Calgary or Edmonton?
Neither and both
Quote:
Why?
Alberta is not very racist. They'll take a hardworking black man over a lazy white man any day. If you work hard, and do it day in day out without saying a peep - you'll be welcome, regardless of skin colour.
some black canadians DO refer to themselvs as african-canadian. Others, oddly, as african-american.
being black in canada IS an issue, but then again so is being chinese, indian, afghani, or any kind of minority. It's just not an issue in the US sence of the word. In Canada, NY's new governor is blind. In the US, he's black.
most african-canadians are not carribean - many african-torontoinans (if such as term) are.
Toronto, especially North York, has "US level" black populations. Montreal has many, and parts of Nova Scotia (near the former Africville) do too. The rest of Canada does not.
Lastly, what are you looking for. "Black" culture? Because you wont find that outside Toronto, sadly.
Well, Caribbean blacks are descendants of slaves who were brought over from Africa too.
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