March 21st is globally recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day, 64 years ago, police shot and killed 69 peaceful protesters in Sharpeville, South Africa, and injured many others. The demonstration was directly tied to inhumane apartheid laws, and their murders were motivated by racism.
In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly established March 21st as a day to stand against all forms of racial injustice, violence, oppression, and discrimination.
In the Prairies, racial discrimination continues to be a prevalent and pervasive problem.
For example, Indigenous People continue to suffer due to systemic policies and laws, experience mistreatment due to bias and stereotypes all while continuing to live with the impact of intergenerational trauma. It is important to also highlight the fact that racialized people in Canada face similar challenges, whether it be racial profiling, discrimination, institutional/systemic bias, religious persecution and are at high risk of being victimized.
We live in a world that is focused on our differences instead of our commonalities, but it is our humanity that binds us as a society, a country and world.
It is inherently wrong to treat individuals adversely due to their ethnic origin and/or skin colour, or to entertain the concept of racial superiority. We are all human beings. We are all born free and equal in dignity and rights.
We must rise up and join together to help eliminate racial discrimination.
There are many ways you can help including ensuring you shut down inappropriate comments (if you are in safe position to do so) and working with your community and workplaces to ensure they are safe spaces free of racial discrimination. It is important to recognize any privileges you may have that others do not. And do not be afraid to have conversations with your family and friends to move the agenda forward and make this world an inclusive, safe and discrimination free world.
We also invite you to get involved in your local Human Rights Committees or Regional Indigenous People’s Circle and take part in actions related to Human Rights issues within our communities.
Always choose humanity over racism.
In Solidarity,
Kathy Ajram
Racially Visible Representative, Prairie Region Council
Janette Husak
Indigenous Peoples Representative, Prairie Region Council
Marianne Hladun
Regional Executive Vice-President – Prairies