How was this day created?
It started annually after the police in Sharpeville, South Africa opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.
In 1979, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.
The UN’s Principle of Equality
“The United Nations General Assembly reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. In its most recent resolution, the General Assembly also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.”
When in discussion about sexuality and gender, we must also include race
It is crucial for social workers and practitioners to consider the social, cultural, and racial factors affecting their client’s experience
Reflection for social workers and practitioners:
- What are some common narratives, populations, and concepts within sexuality and gender? Who/what isn’t included?
- What other societal forces and discriminations are tied to racism? Can you explain how they are related?
- What is one concrete way you can center BIPOC in discussion about sexuality and gender?
Tag a practitioner!
Discuss your answers to the previous questions with a fellow practitioner, friend, or colleague.
Bring the conversation to your communities, work place, classrooms, and close circles.
Keep talking!
Sources
Marie, M. (2022). All you need to know about International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination—EgyptToday. https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/114045/All-you-need-to-know-about-International-Day-for-the United Nations.
United Nations (n.d.). International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. United Nations; United Nations. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day