The title is self-explanatory, but I’m adding details. I am a single, childless African-American male living in the Deep South in 1900 with today’s equivalent of $10,000 in savings. Because my parents were teachers, I have a middle class background and high school education.
I’m really sick of the institutional racism, so I want to leave my home, but not venture to the North. I want to live in another society - completely removed from white supremacy. Now this is a thought exercise: Where is the best country for a young, moderately educated black male in 1900? What country would offer me the best prospects for career advancement, stability, and societal acceptance? I realize trying to be removed from racism isn’t going to happen even nowadays, but it’s just a question.
Keep in mind that countries like Canada barred most black immigration at this time. What other options are there?
What's your source on Canada barring blacks from immigration?
James Douglas became the governor of the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia in the 1840's. He was the son of a British bureaucrat and a Creole housekeeper.
When Oregon introduced it's Whip Laws the colony of Vancouver Island welcomed Negro settlers fleeing that region. More than 400 settlers left California for Vancouver Island in 1858 after California introduced it's oppressive laws against the blacks. In Victoria some of these immigrants became policemen while others formed their own fire station. In 1860 these immigrants, with the blessings of Governor Douglas, formed the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps.
In early British Columbia slavery was. Abolished and all black slaves were to be set free. This caused friction between Oregon and the colony of British Columbia when slaves on board American ships were removed and set free. There were some situations where the citizens of Victoria raised funds and purchased the freedom of slaves from Oregon. It is curious to note that while all Negroes slaves were freed from bondage in British Columbia the native Indians were allowed to keep their slaves as late as 1895 .
John Ware was a highly respected cowboy and rancher who came to Southern Alberta in 1882.
There are many more instances of Negros being welcomed in Western Canada.