The intricacies of integration : the case of Graham Creighton High School

Abstract

In 1964, when Graham Creighton High School in Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia opened its doors for integration, many of its feeder communities were relatively rural and isolated. Racial tension emerged, creating a legacy of conflict. Graham Creighton was the predecessor to Cole Harbour District High School, which has received considerable attention in the media regarding racial tensions. While racism was undoubtedly a contributing factor to tensions between the communities, it must be considered that integration at Graham Creighton was not simply an integration of two races; rather, it was an integration of several very distinct and relatively rural communities. This thesis examines institutional racism, while adding layers of analysis such as class, socioeconomics, and geographic considerations, to demonstrate the complexity of the situation. In consulting a range of primary source material and oral accounts, this thesis places Graham Creighton High School within the broader context of desegregation.