International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on March 21st every year. This day is a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments to work together to eliminate racial discrimination and promote racial equality.

The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, following the brutal murder of 69 people, including women and children, in the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa. The massacre was a protest against the apartheid regime's racist policies, and it sparked widespread international condemnation.

Today, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and discrimination. It is an opportunity for people to come together, share their experiences, and advocate for policies and practices that promote racial equality and social justice.

The origins of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination can be traced back to the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. On March 21st, 1960, a group of unarmed black South Africans gathered outside the Sharpeville police station to protest against the apartheid regime's racist pass laws.

The protest was peaceful, but it was met with brutal force by the police, who opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people and injuring 180 others. The massacre sparked widespread international outrage and condemnation, with many countries calling for economic sanctions against South Africa.

In response to the massacre, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2142 on October 26, 1966, proclaiming March 21st as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The resolution called on all states to take immediate action to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote racial equality.

To observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, individuals and organizations can take the following steps:

• Educate yourself about the history of racial discrimination and its ongoing impact on communities of color.
• Engage in conversations with people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds to promote understanding and empathy.
• Advocate for policies and practices that promote racial equality and social justice.

Organizations can also take steps to promote racial equality, such as:

• Implementing diversity and inclusion policies and practices.
• Providing training on unconscious bias and cultural competence.
• Creating opportunities for people from underrepresented groups to participate in decision-making processes.

Governments can also take action to eliminate racial discrimination by:

• Enacting laws and policies that promote racial equality.
• Providing resources and support to communities of color.
• Encouraging diversity and inclusion in all aspects of public life.

Verbal Taboos

• Using racial slurs or derogatory language.
• Making assumptions or stereotypes about people based on their race or ethnicity.
• Ignoring or downplaying the experiences of people of color.

Behavioral Taboos

• Discriminating against people based on their race or ethnicity.
• Engaging in microaggressions or subtle acts of racism.
• Failing to speak out against racial discrimination or injustice.

Cultural Taboos

• Appropriating cultural practices or symbols without understanding or respect.
• Erasing or ignoring the histories and experiences of people of color.
• Failing to acknowledge and address systemic racism and discrimination.