Video excerpt of Blake Harding
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LOOK
Watch this video excerpt about Wilfred “Boomer” Harding, the first baseman and catcher for the Chatham Coloured All-Stars, who later became a player in the International Amateur Hockey League. Why do you think Harding felt that it was so important for people to call him by one of his proper names?
THINK
Wilfred Harding was an accomplished athlete in both baseball and hockey. He believed that the colour of his skin was the reason that he was not recruited to play professional sports. What clues can you find in other parts of this segment on the Chatham Coloured All-Stars that show that racism was prevalent at this time?
DO
Research the story of Herb Carnegie on The Canadian Encyclopedia website. How are the stories of these two men similar, with respect to losing out on opportunities to play professional sports because of the colour of their skin?
Details
Date 2023
Materials - Film
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
- Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team, the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance, and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
Although many of the individual players on the team met with success and were accepted into the white community, systemic racism persisted in Chatham for Black people living there at the time. The majority of the Black community still could not dine in or visit certain hotels, and only had access to certain jobs.
- This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
- Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team, the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance, and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
Although many of the individual players on the team met with success and were accepted into the white community, systemic racism persisted in Chatham for Black people living there at the time. The majority of the Black community still could not dine in or visit certain hotels, and only had access to certain jobs.
Summary
- This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
- Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars baseball team, the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
Essential
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
In-Depth
This is a video excerpt of one of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding’s sons, Blake Harding, speaking about his father’s accomplishments.
Wilfred Harding was a key member of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars. Remembered for their athleticism, perseverance, and teamwork, the team accomplished the challenging feat of becoming the first Black baseball team to win a provincial championship.
Although many of the individual players on the team met with success and were accepted into the white community, systemic racism persisted in Chatham for Black people living there at the time. The majority of the Black community still could not dine in or visit certain hotels, and only had access to certain jobs.