Tuesday, March 21, 2006

International day against racism


Graphic from the Canadian Stop It! site.

Unhappily, I had no idea what today is. According to the United Nations, March 21 is the The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Apparently in many countries it has been promoted through school systems since 1966.

On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Link.

As far as I know, it has not made it into our schools -- maybe I'm wrong.

A great starting point for international resources against racism appears here.


Sharpeville after the massacre.

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