The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21. It was on this same day in 1960 that policemen opened fire on 69 peaceful protestors killing them in Sharpeville, South Africa. They were demonstrating against South Africa’s apartheid “pass laws.”
In 1979, the United States began plans to organize programs to combat racism and discrimination thus birthing the annual celebration. Ironically, it has just been released that there is a top-secret document called the “race paper” which proves that black activists are being closely monitored by the American government as reported by The Root.
This information was released subsequently after the Color of Change and the Center for Constitutional Rights in conjunction with the Kramer Law Center filed a Freedom of Information Act request for access to official papers concerning the Black Lives Matter movement. Along came information proving that black activists are indeed being observed by The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Black activists are now considered and labeled as “black supremacists” and “black identity extremists.”
This is a stark difference from what the United Nation’s website annotates. “Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.” So is that what the race paper intended to do also?
“The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.”
“The United Nations has been concerned with this issue since its foundation and the prohibition of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core international human rights instruments. It places obligations on States and tasks them with eradicating discrimination in the public and private spheres. The principle of equality also requires States to adopt special measures to eliminate conditions that cause or help to perpetuate racial discrimination.”
You don’t say?
“Racial and ethnic discrimination occur on a daily basis, hindering progress for millions of people around the world. Racism and intolerance can take various forms — from denying individuals the basic principles of equality to fuelling ethnic hatred that may lead to genocide — all of which can destroy lives and fracture communities.” [sic]
Yet and still, other facets of the American government are doing exactly what perpetuates hateful attitudes and actions.
Do you think racism will ever be banished? Let us know.
Some thoughts on Twitter concerning IDERD:
On this, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, let’s take a long look at this video ask ourselves why this person was shot. Clearly he was not shot because he was threatening. Was his stationary position, or his “what, me?” gesture so frightening? No
— Patrick J. H. Keenan (@NaneekNaneek) March 21, 2018
Today is the International Day for The Elimination of Racial Discrimination!#AKA1908 #WeareChiOmegaOmega #StandUp4HumanRights #FightRacism
Let’s “Break the Internet” by showing support of this Global cause! pic.twitter.com/JJnKSFOFDt— C. Lynn Williams (@msparentguru) March 21, 2018
“Broaching [the topic of race] often feels inappropriate, irrelevant, or just plain uncomfortable,” but you have to do it.https://t.co/PrjXkysQSz#FightRacism #IDERD
— EQAO (@eqao) March 21, 2018
Data shows that people of color in the U.S. are disproportionately & systematically exposed to the use of force by police. See research from groups working to address the issue: https://t.co/NJi4pCW7cL #IDERD #StandUp4HumanRights #FightRacism #JoinTogether pic.twitter.com/pfhD0Rbyjh
— IssueLab (@issuelab) March 21, 2018
Despite the progress we’ve made, the fight against racism is far from over. On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we take a hard look at the present & recognize there’s more to do to #fightracism in our communities. https://t.co/z5cH2oEuOu
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 21, 2018
Setting aside for a moment the structural underrepresentation of Europeans of Colour at EU Institutions, we do appreciate the @EU_Commission‘s stance against racist hatred and violence! @EoC_plus produced an awareness-raising video series for #IDERD
— Europeans of Colour+ (@EoC_plus) March 21, 2018
#IDERD 2018. Why are black Ontario students getting into med school in the US and not @uoftmedicine ?
— gforbes (@gforbes) March 21, 2018
Hi #justchecking your corporate position and message here on #IDERD
For you, what’s at stake is ‘personal preferences’ (like ice-cream flavour)?
Not ‘structural barriers’ (like keeping privileges and denying to others) ?#StopRacism#FightRacism https://t.co/GfFjnlO2li
— CVS D-I (@cvs_congo) March 21, 2018
For Day 21 of #AppreciationMarch I am very grateful to every person fighting for equality & justice for all.
At our core, humans all want the same thing:
To love & be loved.No one should EVER be afraid for their life simply because they look different.#IDERD #Alkemical pic.twitter.com/sZjxscOvTn
— Kayla E. McCormick (@OhMmKay) March 21, 2018
We’re launching our first statement on racism in #mentalhealth today for UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination #IDERD
Racial discrimination has no place in mental health serviceshttps://t.co/MW4IVeZSNS— RC of Psychiatrists (@rcpsych) March 21, 2018
As I say so, so often: Canada is not what you think it is. Especially not on b.s. days like #IDERD.
— Dora Milaje trainee ?? (@missladyniobe) March 21, 2018
Many Nigerians are however guilty of Supremacism – the belief that a particular class of people are superior to others.#WorldPoetryDay #IDERD
— Bethesda Agency (@bethesdacsa) March 21, 2018
Pursuant to #IDERD, @EoC_plus has produced a video series of historic laws of discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality and religion. It ends with modern laws that mirror the hatred of the past.
© Miguel Peres Dos Santos#FightRacismhttps://t.co/dNBk0MbQUn via @YouTube
— Europeans of Colour+ (@EoC_plus) March 21, 2018
