Wilson A. Head: Difference between revisions

| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Sociologist,
* professor,
* activist

Wilson Adonijah Head was born on September 30, 1914, in [[Milner, Georgia|Milner]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He "was the son of a Georgia sharecropper, Evander Head (1892–1925), and of Evelyn Whittle (1898–1981), the eldest of five children";<ref name="Turner">''Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work'', by Francis J. Turner, p. 168. Social service Canada Encyclopedias, 2005. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2I 3C5, www.wlupress.wlu.ca</ref><ref name="ancestry">{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.ca/genealogy/records/wilson-adonijah-head_173862106|title=Wilson Adonijah Head 1914-1993|website=Ancestry.ca|accessdate=November 23, 2017}}</ref> siblings Frank, Marvin, Glenn, and WinnieMinnie Head. He was of African American, Northern European, and Cherokee Indian descent.<ref>{{cite book|last= Head|first=Wilson|title= A Life on the Edge: Experiences in Black and White in North America |publisher=University of Toronto Press|date= 1995| isbn=978-0-9680066-0-3|at= Chapter 1}}</ref> He grew up in deep poverty in the small black community of Milner, near Atlanta. His father died when he was 11, but his mother stressed the importance of education, telling him he would have to be "twice as smart as whites to compete".<ref name="OBITUARY">''The Globe and Mail'', Toronto, Ont, Canada. October 8, 1993: A.20. OBITUARY: "Wilson Head led struggle in Canada for racial justice".</ref> "He was once fired from a job for glancing at a newspaper. His boss didn't think blacks should know how to read. His mother took in laundry but when Head delivered it to her white customers, white boys would throw bricks at him or jump him."<ref>Toronto Star, Nancy White, "A lifetime of struggle", Feb. 18, 1996, p. C.1</ref> Wilson worked to put himself through school, graduating from [[Booker T. Washington High School (Atlanta, Georgia)|Booker T. Washington High School]] in 1933 and, after taking two years to work and save the fees, graduated from [[Tuskegee University|Tuskegee Institute]], [[Tuskegee, Alabama]], in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science in Educationeducation, by which time he had been named in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1939–40. In his memoirs, ''A Life on the Edge: Experiences in Black and White in North America'',<ref name="Memoirs">Life on the Edge: Experiences in Black and White in North America: Memoirs of Wilson Head. Publisher: Dr. Wilson Head Institute, Toronto, 1995, {{ISBN|0-9680066-0-4}}.</ref> Dr. Head describes the poverty and injustices to which Black people in the "Deep South" were subjected, and which he experienced in his youth.

In the 1930s, Dr. Head took part in a series of "sit-ins" on restaurants and bars, and protested against barbers, shopkeepers, and movie house owners who would not serve blacks a decade before the [[civil rights movement]] began.<ref name="Turner"/><ref name="Saunders">Wilson Head's Life on the Edge left lasting impact: ''Daily News'' Retrieved from ''Daily News'' [Halifax, N.S.] 16 June 1996: 24. Saunders, C. (1996, Jun 16).</ref><ref>''Toronto Star'', Janice Dineen, Oct. 14, 1986, p. D.1 "A life devoted to battling racism."</ref> He also helped to [[Desegregation in the United States|desegregate]] a golf course in Windsor.<ref name="Saunders"/><ref>''The Toronto Star'', February 3, 1993, A1 "Blacks must look at broader issues, activist urges",</ref><ref name="Hamlin Grange 2015">Toronto Onyx Lions Club – "A Tribute to Dr. Wilson Head", November 1989 – "Profile of Wilson Head" in Onyx Tribute book by Hamlin Grange. Archives Canada, Vol. 15, retrieved October 1, 2015.</ref>

He worked at times with the [[Congress of Racial Equality]] (CORE) and the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]] (NAACP).<ref name="Turner"/> From 1943 to 1948, he was director of community development and community organization at [[Flanner House]] in [[Indianapolis]], which served poor and indigent Black people.<ref name="Turner"/><ref name="flannerhouse">{{cite web|url=http://www.flannerhouse.com/opening_doors/Home/default.aspx|website=flannerhouse.com|title=opening_doors/Home/default|accessdate=November 23, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022024453/http://www.flannerhouse.com/opening_doors/Home/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> "In 1981, then president of the National Black Coalition of Canada,<ref name="Wilson Head Fought">''Toronto Star'', (Toronto, Ont.), (AM Edition), October 8, 1993: A7. "Wilson Head Fought Hard for Equality"</ref><ref name="Editorial"/> he testified before the Joint House Senate Committee on the Canadian Constitution".<ref name="archives.library.yorku.ca">{{cite web|url=http://archives.library.yorku.ca/exhibits/show/pushingbuttons/black--caribbean-community/national-black-coalition-of-ca|title=York University Libraries &#124;{{pipe}} Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections online exhibits &#124;{{pipe}} National Black Coalition of Canada &middot;· The Jean Augustine Political Button Collection|website=archives.library.yorku.ca|accessdate=November 23, 2017}}</ref> He was on the executive of The Metro Committee on Race Relations and Policing.<ref name="urbanalliance.ca">{{cite web|url=http://urbanalliance.ca/2015/08/04/uarr-40th-anniversity-celebration-resisting-racism-past-present-and-future/|title=UARR 40th Anniversary Celebration &#8211;– Resisting Racism: Past, Present and Future &#8211;– Urban Alliance on Race Relations|website=urbanalliance.ca|accessdate=November 23, 2017|date=2015-08-04|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081950/https://urbanalliance.ca/2015/08/04/uarr-40th-anniversity-celebration-resisting-racism-past-present-and-future/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dr. Head moved to [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor, Canada]] in 1959 "to get my children away from a racist society".<ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/><ref>The Hamilton Spectator, Oct. 8, 1993. B.6 "Race relations pioneer dies".</ref> In the US, he had been director of Chicago's Parkway Community House, and director of the State of Ohio's Juvenile Diagnostic Centre. When he came to Canada in 1959, he was the Executiveexecutive Directordirector of the Windsor Group Therapy Project. In 1965 he became the Director of Research and Planning for the Social Planning Council of Metropolitan Toronto.<ref name="White Canada">''The Montreal Gazette'', Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Sept. 27, 1968, page 45. "White Canada is warned of red power".</ref>

"He lectured in Social Work at the [[University of Windsor]], 1960–1964, [[University of Michigan]], 1962–1964, Wayne State University, 1963–1965 and Sir Williams College, Chicago, 1961–1964. He was involved with a number of organizations including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association of Toronto as Vice-President in 1967, The National Welfare Council founding member and National Black Coalition of Canada as Chairman and President from 1977 to 1982. Dr. Head became the first chairman of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Atkinson College, York University".<ref name="Finding Aid">Wilson A. Head, FONDS, MG 31, D 148, Finding Aid No. 1458.

http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp? {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808194510/http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp |date=2012-08-08 }}</ref>

In 1988 Dr., Head was asked to participate in the Donald Marshall Inquiry Commission in [[Nova Scotia]].<ref name="Saunders"/><ref name="novascotia">{{cite web|url=https://www.novascotia.ca/just/marshall_inquiry/_docs/Royal%20Commission%20on%20the%20Donald%20Marshall%20Jr%20Prosecution_findings.pdf|date=August 6, 2009|title=Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution – Digest of Findings and Recommendations |accessdate=November 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>News Digest, Final Edition 8, ''The Hamilton Spectator'', Oct. 14, 1992, p. B.4</ref> This investigation led to his paper ''Discrimination Against Blacks in Nova Scotia: The Criminal Justice System''.<ref name="Clairmont">Discrimination against blacks in Nova Scotia: the criminal justice system by Wilson A Head; Donald H J Clairmont; Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution (N.S.) State or province government publication, Publisher: [Halifax, N.S.] : The Commission, 1989.</ref>

On June 26, 1980, Dr. Head was assaulted while climbing the steps to the offices of UARRU.A.R.R (Urban Alliance on Race Relations), College Street at Spadina Avenue, Toronto.<ref>"Wilson Head: Black coalition chairman was assaulted last week", Eric Hayes, From the ''Toronto Star'' Archives, [[Toronto Reference Library]], Baldwin Collection</ref> He was attacked from behind with several blows to the head, resulting in a fall down the stairs. It took the police over 40 minutes to arrive at the scene after being called. The identity of his white assailant was never discovered.<ref>News Release – Ontario Human Rights Commission, MacDonald Block, Queens Park, Ontario June 26, 1980. Archives Canada FONDS MG31, D148, Vol. 1, File 21, retrievedRetrieved February 5, 2016.</ref><ref>'' The Toronto Star'', "Black rights leader beaten by white man", June 26, 1980, P. A1 and A15.</ref><ref>'' Kitchener-Waterloo Record'', "Give them an ice platform", July 3, 1980, p. 4.</ref><ref>The Toronto Star, "Police apology satisfies beaten black spokesman", P. A7, June 28, 1980,</ref>

Dr. Head was raised in the [[Baptists|Baptist Church]], but became a member of the [[Quakers]] (Society of Friends) in the 1940s.<ref name="Turner"/> The Quakers supported him in his own convictions of [[pacifism]], [[egalitarianism]], and [[Conscientious objector|conscientious objection]] to military service.<ref name="Turner"/><ref name="OBITUARY"/><ref>"The Friend – a Religious and Literary Journal", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. 118, February 29, 1945. No. 20, p. 311-312, article by Wilson Head, "A Challenge to Young Friends".</ref> He was seen as a "moderate" in his views on combating racism,<ref name="Editorial">''Toronto Star'', Toronto, Ontario, Canada. October 9, 1993. Editorial, page C.2, "Wilson Head (1914–1993)".</ref><ref name="Heed">Toronto Star, Toronto, Ont., Canada. February 6, 1993. Editorial, page B.2, "Heed Head's Words".</ref><ref name="We have a role">''Toronto Star'', Toronto, Ont., Canada. February 3, 1993. News, page A.1, "We have a role to play, Head tells blacks".</ref><ref name="alliance celebrates">''Toronto Star'', Toronto, Ont., Canada. May 26, 1995, News, page A.25,</ref> although he was notably the first to put racism on the agenda <ref name="Hamlin Grange 2015"/> of the Canadian conscience.<ref>The Hamilton Spectator, June 8, 1992. C.4 "Canada owning up to streak of racism, professor says"</ref><ref>''Toronto Star'', October 16, 1989, p. A.1 "Canada has no serious race trouble, PM says".</ref> His "quiet, reasonable style became his hallmark".<ref name="We have a role"/> He opposed segregation of the races all his life.<ref name="Editorial"/><ref>Pulse Magazine, Pulse Publishing Co., Editor Helen S.Mason, Vol. 4, No. 10, page 293 article by Wilson Head, "Testimony of Human Brotherhood".</ref> "He denounced the idea of all-black schools and social services, asserting, 'segregation is inherently inferior{{'"}}.{{attribution needed|date=February 2018}}<ref>''The Toronto Star'', February 3, 1993, A1 "Blacks must look at broader issues, activist urges".</ref><ref>Toronto Star, Dec. 22, 1992, p. D.3 "Views mixed on 'black-focused' schools"</ref><ref>The Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 21, 1992. B.5 "Black focus sparks segregation debate".</ref> In his role as executive of the Metro Committee on Race Relations and Policing in Toronto, he was an "outspoken critic of Metro police",<ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/> citing [[racial profiling]] in their practices.<ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/><ref name="Race relations">''Toronto Star'', Toronto, Ont., Canada. August 17, 1992. News, page A.1, "Race relations watchdog body urged for police".</ref><ref name="Suspend Policemen">''The Globe and Mail'', August 29, 1979, page 2. "Suspend Policemen, Black Coalition Urges".</ref><ref>The Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 6, 1991, p. B.7 "Cops have declared open season on black youth, activist charges"</ref><ref name="Welfare Programs">''Ottawa Citizen'', Ottawa, Ont., Canada. February 17, 1969, p. 9, "Welfare Programs Lashed".</ref><ref>Toronto Star, Feb. 23, 1989, p. A.6 "Police changes a must to halt racial conflict, forum warned".</ref><ref>Toronto Star, Feb. 2, 1989, p. A.2 "Non-whites on police forces adopt 'military mentality', task force told."</ref> Dr. Head fought fiercely against poverty in Canada.<ref name="archives.library.yorku.ca"/><ref name="Negative income">''Ottawa Citizen'', Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. October 30, 1969, page 13. "[[Negative income tax]] best, Liberal party told."</ref><ref name="bbpa.org">{{cite web|url=http://bbpa.org/harryjeromeawards/the-alumni/1988-alumni/|website=bbpa.org|title=bbpa.org/harryjeromeawards/the-alumni/1988-alumni/|accessdate=November 23, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006014658/http://bbpa.org/harryjeromeawards/the-alumni/1988-alumni/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He strove for peace and disarmament as Chairman of the Toronto Chapter, "[[Religions for Peace|World Conference on Religion and Peace]]", 1978–1984, member of "Science for Peace: Operation Dismantle", member of "Social Workers for Peace and Disarmament", on the steering committee for "Disarmament and Peace Movements", and member of "Toronto Disarmament Network"<ref name="Archives Canada 2015">Archives Canada, correspondence, Vol. 3, retrieved October 1, 2015.</ref> "If the bomb falls, race relations will not matter; we will all be dead."<ref>The Toronto Star, Slinger, Section A, Feb. 6, 1993, "World's salvation is not a black and white question", Wilson Head.</ref> He also advocated for the abolition of prisons.<ref name="Reference A">Workshop leader, "Economics and Prison Abolition", May 27, 28, 1983. Archives Canada, correspondence, Vol. 12, retrieved October 1, 2015.</ref><ref>''The Canadian Who's Who'', University of Toronto Press, Volume 25, 1990, page 414</ref>

Dr. Head died of cancer of the prostate at [[Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto)|Mount Sinai Hospital]], Toronto, Ontario on October 7, 1993.<ref name="OBITUARY"/><ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/>

* Founding chairman, Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARRU.A.R.R), Toronto, Ontario, still today a strong advocacy voice.<ref name="Turner"/><ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/><ref name="Editorial"/><ref name="urbanalliance">{{cite web|url=http://urbanalliance.ca/2015/08/04/uarr-40th-anniversary-celebration-resisting-racism-past-present-and-future|website=urbanalliance.ca|title=urbanalliance.ca/2015/08/04/uarr-40th-anniversary-celebration-resisting-racism-past-present-and-future|accessdate=November 23, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

* A scholarship in Dr. Head's name has been set up at York University for students who demonstrate a particular interest in human rights, race relations and/or peace.<ref name="We have a role"/>

* Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama, Bachelor of Science in Educationeducation with a major in Sociologysociology, 1940.<ref name="OBITUARY"/>

* Ohio State University, PhD in Sociologysociology, Adult Education, and Social Psychology, 1958.<ref name="OBITUARY"/>

* Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, York University, Toronto, Ontario, 1982.<ref name="Wilson Head Fought"/><ref name="yorku">{{cite web|url=http://secretariat.info.yorku.ca/senate/sub-committee-on-honorary-degrees-and-ceremonials/honorary-degree-recipients|title=Honorary Degree Recipients &#124;{{pipe}} University Secretariat|website=secretariat.info.yorku.ca|accessdate=November 23, 2017}}</ref>

Dr. Head authored and coauthored numerous research studies and articles, the more notable of which are:

* <!-- 27. --> [http://blackhistorycanada.ca/timeline.php?id=1900 1975: Head Founds Urban Alliance on Race Relations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128013005/http://blackhistorycanada.ca/timeline.php?id=1900 |date=2016-01-28 }}

[[Category:20th-century African-American activists]]

[[Category:African-AmericanBlack studies scholars]]

[[Category:20th-century American memoirists]]

[[Category:African-American social scientistssociologists]]

[[Category:AntiCanadian anti-nuclearpoverty activists]]

[[Category:Anti-povertyCanadian advocatesanti–nuclear weapons activists]]

[[Category:20th-century Canadian memoirists]]

[[Category:Canadian people who self-identify as being of AmericanCherokee descent]]

[[Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in Canada]]

[[Category:Academic staff of York University faculty]]

[[Category:20th-centuryBlack memoiristsCanadian activists]]