By CEBL Contributing Writer: Jared Helinsky
Kemy Osse’s story began in Park Extension, Montreal, a neighbourhood noted for its high immigrant population, mainly consisting of immigrants from Italy, Africa, Greece and Haiti. Born of Haitian descent, Osse loved growing up in a diverse community as the environment gave him the opportunity to experience different cultures around the world.
Osse’s roots in Park Extension instilled a toughness and a relentless work ethic in him from a young age. Life wasn’t always easy for Osse’s family as they sought to establish themselves in a new country while feeding six children, but his parents always made it work.
“As a kid when you see your parents working hard it shows you the way.”
Osse continues to speak of his parents influence, “I’ve never seen them afraid of anything.”
Upon entering high school, Osse’s diverse surroundings would drastically change as he found himself at a predominantly white high school. At first, the change didn’t come easy to Osse as fear of being accepted by his peers crept into his mind.
“I didn’t think they would understand me. I felt like I couldn’t be myself, I had to try to be like them” Osse states when reflecting back on his transition into high school.
Over time, Osse became more comfortable in his new surroundings and now looks back upon the experience with gratitude as the opportunity gave him the chance to be able to communicate with those from a different background than his own.
“The experience allowed me to communicate with all types of people. I opened up to them, and them to me, we could share each other’s realities.”
Osse would experience another change in his life as he graduated high school and accepted a scholarship to play Division I basketball for the Little Rock Trojans in Arkansas. During his college years in the southern United States, Osse notes experiencing a new reality being black.
“You could see and feel it [racism] a little more there [Arkansas], it can be more separated.”
Osse would go on to finish his collegiate basketball career in the spring of 2017 and move on to compete in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) with the Windsor Express, Saint John Riptide and Island Storm. Osse recently re-signed to play with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the CEBL, after spending the 2020 CEBL Summer Series with the team. Over the course of the CEBL Summer Series, Osse was a team leader for the Rattlers both on and off the court. Throughout Osse’s life he has had the opportunity to experience many different cities and many different cultures. This has allowed him to experience many types of people from different backgrounds.
When asked how Canadians of all backgrounds can show solidarity with black athletes, Osse’s advice calls for action and education.
“I think it’s about educating people who don’t understand, sharing our experiences and our cultures and celebrating that. At the end of the day, we’re all human.”
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