His names, Nicholas Marcus, together mean victorious warrior of the people. This is probably why as a child, he was always an advocate. Two decades (and some years) later, after service to people, he is an award-winning social justice advocate and union leader in Canada. According to Nicholas Marcus Thompson, advocacy is his life’s purpose. He believes that “God took him from a tiny village and placed him across the world, in a position of authority where he can impact change in a meaningful way.” Here is what this poor boy from Piparo, Trinidad told MENtions:
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I was born in the tiny village of Piparo, south Trinidad to an East Indian father and Afro-Trinidadian mother. Surrounded by forest, with no electricity and no running water, my early years were very humble. Despite growing up in poverty and surrounded by not so subtle racism, I fondly remember climbing trees, swimming in the river, catching conch, eating mangoes off the tree and eating some good bake and baigan choka. I also remember ‘getting licks’ (spanked) for stuff my little sister did. She would always get away with everything!
Even with these happy memories and experiences, my childhood was very challenging. The predominantly East Indian village of Piparo, used to treat us as sub-humans (less than’s) and my grandfather would often call me an "ole n**ga". “That is how he does talk”, other relatives would dismissively say. My father, who had serious addiction issues and battled them for all of my childhood, did his best. He really tried. He loved us but had his own battles. Notwithstanding those unpleasant moments, I also remember him carrying me on his back as we walked home through the bumpy, unpaved, unlit road and cooking for us.
My siblings and I walked at least five miles to school every day. We were grateful for the school feeding programme (“box lunch”) because we relied heavily on it to provide our daily nutritional needs. I remember some days carrying my box lunch to the fence to give to my grandmother so that she won’t go hungry. That memory still brings tears to my eyes every time I remember it.
“God took me from a tiny village and placed me across the world”
When I was eight years old, my mother left Piparo and moved to Morvant. My great-grandfather, whom I grew up with in the latter part of my childhood, was my role model. He was a World War II veteran and former police inspector in Trinidad. He taught me discipline, how to dress neatly and how to be a good family man. My faith has also been a guiding compass on my journey. I landed in Toronto as a teenager, ready to take on the world. God took me from a tiny village and placed me across the world, in a position of authority to incite change in a meaningful way. Those early years helped shape my character. Although there were many enjoyable and carefree moments, these years taught me how not to live: what not to do.
“Children have the right to…”
My birth names Nicholas Marcus mean "victory of the people" and "warrior". I sincerely believe that advocacy is my life's purpose. I remember in primary school my mother tried to search my school bag and I protested, declaring that "children have the right to...." As you can imagine, I did not get to finish that statement. In secondary school, the principal had to call my mother several times because I would organize the students and have them protest outside the office when there were moments of perceived injustice.
When I learned of rampant corruption in the LifeSport programme under the TT Ministry of Sport, I was determined to act. “Where are the protests?”, I asked myself. When there was none, I organized a petition to then President and the Prime minister, calling for the dismissal of the then Minister of Sport. The petition went viral and several prominent figures started calling for the Minister's dismissal as well. Seven days later, the then Prime Minister announced the Minister had tendered his resignation. These are the things that fan my flame and encourage me to continue on my journey.
“Public service is not for self-aggrandizement”
My ethos for wanting to serve in elected office comes from the late Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning, former Prime Minister of T&T. He once said that public office is not for self-aggrandizement. His humility and statesmanship have guided my decorum and the way I conduct my public life.
The labour movement in Canada is predominantly white, and naturally I didn't see anyone that looked like me in senior leadership positions, so challenges were abound. While Canada in my view, is a much better place to live than the United States, there is systemic racism in many institutions. Recent events on anti-Black racism prompted me and so many others to act, leading protests in Toronto, calling on the city, province and federal government to act. Our actions of organizing and demanding systemic change is working, cities across the country are declaring racism a public health issue and defunding the police, allocating those funds into our communities is a closer reality.
“First black person to win a nomination for that seat”
At present, I represent hundreds of workers in the federal public service in Canada, as President and in 2019, I was nominated by a federal party as a Member of Parliament candidate in the federal elections. I was the first Black person to win the nomination for that seat. Electoral politics is where I believe that I can affect the most change, on a national level.
Through my many years of advocacy and public service, my mother continues to be my biggest supporter in all things. She still doesn't tell me she loves me, like a lot of Caribbean parents, but her unwavering support reminds me daily.
“We still don’t know how to look out for each other in a community way”
While I was fortunate to have a great-grand father to look up to and a former Prime Minister, whose ideals guided me, I believe that there needs to be more role models and mentors for black men. That is something the black communities need to work on. I attribute that shortcoming to the rippled effects of slavery. We still do not know how to look out for each other in a community way.
“Be open to everything: push yourself to learn every day”
I found my passion and I aggressively pursue it daily but if you are at that point where you are still searching for a career path, it is important to first find your passion, which is usually your purpose. Read a lot, as it is the key. When I'm reading and I do not know a word, I look up the meaning and apply that word in a sentence later on. This simple but important task helps to ensure that I remain current and articulate. Be open to everything: push yourself to learn every day. If you're afraid of speaking publicly, challenge yourself to do it. Whatever it is that you're afraid of, challenge yourself to overcome it.
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Nicholas Marcus Thompson is the first Black man to be elected as the President of the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) Toronto North. He is also the Vice President of the Greater Toronto Area Council and the Co-Chair of the Racially Visible Committee at the Public Service Alliance of Canada. In January 2020, Nicholas Marcus was named Activist of the Year by the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Greater Toronto Area Council. In addition to his professional pursuits, Nicholas Marcus Thompson is also a dedicated father of three wonderful young children. He attends the University of Toronto where he studies part-time.
Nicholas Marcus Thompson Union of Taxation Employees Public Service Alliance of Canada