Gold for Races, Valerie Jerome’s powerful sports and family memoir
Review of Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family
By Hillary LeBlanc
Sharing with readers the intimate details of the family of Olympian Harry Jerome, Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family, a memoir by Valerie Jerome, an Olympian herself, gives insight into the horrors faced by – and within – a family woven into Canada’s sports tapestry.
Jerome shares her family’s story by first explaining the lives of her grandparents, leading to the meeting of her parents and the story of herself and her siblings including Harry Jerome. Growing up as a Black family in western Canada in the 1900s, one might come to expect the racism the Jerome family received, but what is shocking is the intergenerational trauma, and racism within the family which leads to abuse, sadness and horrific descriptors.
In a quest for acceptance, readers learn that Jerome’s grandmother disowned the family after marrying a white racist man, leading her own daughters hide their Blackness, which creates discontent in their own homes. Valerie describes her mother’s violent outbursts towards her children with a scale that only increased depending on how dark the child was. Jerome shares these moments of terror, which are palpable to readers.
Her description of racist encounters, both micro and macro, weave through the sharing of triumphs for both Jerome athletes in a way that remarkably reflects the lives of Black Canadians. We are told to expect racism at any undue moment while still breaking stereotypes, setting world records, and relishing life’s joys like parenthood and even experiencing loss. Each racist encounter felt like a punch to the gut as I read how these people from childhood to adulthood continued to be kicked down, but dusted themselves off and proved themselves great – repeatedly.
Though not particularly a sports person, I found much of the book was relatable, from the internalized racism and intergenerational trauma to the need to excel and the obstacles all Black people face. Moreover, I recognized some of the violence and mental illness described as a symptom of the days before therapy and de-stigmatization, and before minorities were given certain freedoms that brought society to where it is today.
Following both Jerome siblings’ stories stride for stride, you understand the determination for both to be seen as great in their parents’ eyes, while their mother and aunt opted to find that greatness in passing for white. You follow the siblings through a tumultuous family life, to grand moments at the 1964 Olympics in Rome, where Harry wins bronze, to becoming parents, spouses and meeting royalty. Through all of these moments they are scrutinized, especially Harry, due to his race. He’s often embarrassed or tricked into some societal faux-pas he could not avoid without education or a friend in these white spaces.
Valerie Jerome does not hesitate in thanking almost every person that touched their lives and was a friend, ally, or coach and helped them find success in sports or made their lives easier. Ironically, or perhaps purposefully, Jerome notes that it took years for the country to recognize Harry’s efforts in a way that was deemed appropriate and during his life was often misrepresented by the government and media. Harry Jerome died in 1982 at 42 years old.
Any person reading Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family, whether Black or white, can understand the horrors this family has faced and the odds they beat to represent Canada at the Olympics and for Harry Jerome to take home a bronze medal. While there is the obvious theme of overcoming, it also explores giving back and what love can look like.
Jerome’s book harrowingly depicts how racism has ebbed and flowed and evolved, yet persists, from the early 1900s to the 2020s. Through what must have been a painful recounting of her family’s history, readers are offered a way to understand how racism can directly impact Black families, why it is so detrimental to Black people, and shown a way forward with kindness and compassion; less judgment and more love.
Hillary LeBlanc, an Acadian-Senegalese, queer woman, is cohost of the Blacklantic podcast. Hillary works in communications, volunteers with the New Brunswick Education Department, does freelance journalism for ByBlacks, models, and creates content on social media. She is very passionate about equality and equity for all races, feminism, the LGBTQ+ community and the lower income community as well as speaking out on sexual assault, domestic violence and ending the stigma around addictions.
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