With the aim of eliminating racial discrimination, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established. On this day, human rights are presented in the highest form in accordance with respect for all races, colors, and nationalities.
“How boring and monotone a uniform world would be, one where everyone, cut from the same cloth, thought and lived the same way! Without anything to discover within others, how would we enrich ourselves?”³ This is what the writer and poet “Amadou Hampate Ba” said about human diversity. But even today, many people still view racial diversity through a lens filled with racism and discrimination.
Definition of Racial Discrimination
The definition of racial discrimination is any discrimination, exclusion, or restriction based on race, color, descent, or national origin. This leads to the obstruction or hindrance of recognition of human rights and basic freedoms, or even their enjoyment or exercise on an equal footing in the political, economic, social, or any other field of life.⁴
Forms of Racial Discrimination
1- Interpersonal Racism: preconceived judgment, bias, or discrimination by a white person toward a person of color.
2- Institutional Racism: policies, practices, procedures, and culture of institutions or systems that operate in favor of the white race and also cause harm to people of color, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
3- Structural Racism: the history, culture, and current reality of racism across institutions.
4- Internalized Racism: adopting stereotypical molds, images, and racist values perpetuated by the dominant white society about the racial group.
5- Internalized Racial Inferiority: accepting and acting upon a lower sense of self rooted in the historical labeling of the individual’s race over multiple generations.
6- Internalized Racial Superiority: accepting and acting upon a superior sense of self rooted in the historical labeling of the individual’s race over multiple generations, with an exaggerated self-image based on race.²
The reason for choosing March 21 as an International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
On this day in 1960, South African police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville protesting against apartheid laws. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, police gunfire claimed the lives of 69 people. This incident became a clear violation of human rights and was based on racial discrimination, which South Africa and many other countries have long suffered from.¹
The goal of establishing this International Day
In 1966, the General Assembly declared March 21 as a day to express the struggle to put an end to apartheid policies in South Africa, and also as a call for the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate racism and promote understanding and equality among all races.
This day also provides an opportunity to focus on the International Decade for People of African Descent, one of the world’s most impoverished and marginalized groups. It is an occasion to evaluate the progress made by countries and determine the actions needed to improve the human rights situation of people of African descent.¹
Despite the progress made by the world in various fields, the retrograde mentality based on racial discrimination is still deeply rooted in many minds. It is inherited across generations, forming an empty circle of bigotry, violations, and endless conflicts.
The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative confirms its rejection of all forms of racial discrimination and its support for the principles of equality and respect for racial diversity. This is based on its belief that differences are a source of wealth and strength in the world.
Also read:
References:
[1] OHCHR
[2] Seattle
[3] UNESCO
[4] OHCHR
