Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: The Hidden History of Africville
Dec 11, 2025
Discover the hidden history of Africville, a Black community in Halifax, erased by government neglect and hostility. Explore the impact of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, which led to further suffering and lack of support for residents. Hear about the aggressive actions taken against Africville, from toxic dumps to forced relocations labeled as slum clearances. Listen to the poignant memories of protestors like Eddie Carvery and reflect on the legacy of racial dispossession and calls for accountability from the past to the present.
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Longstanding Self-Sufficient Community
- Africville was a long-standing Black settlement in Halifax founded in the early 1800s and peaked around 1917 with about 400 residents.
- The community formed identity and self-sufficiency because residents were excluded from surrounding areas.
Deliberate Neglect After The Explosion
- The city systematically neglected Africville, withholding basic services like sewage, water, electricity, and snow plowing.
- After the 1917 Halifax Explosion the city intensified efforts to characterize it as a slum and exploited the disaster to avoid recovery aid.
Toxic Infrastructure As Displacement Tool
- Halifax placed hazardous facilities near Africville, including a hospital for contagious veterans and a toxic waste dump, worsening residents' health risks.
- These placements functioned as mechanisms to depopulate and devalue the land for later redevelopment.
