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Fax: (604) 681-3589
March 21: The International Day for
the Elimination of Discrimination
In 1960, 70 anti-apartheid demonstrators conducting a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa were shot and killed by police. In 1966, the United Nations (UN) marked this tragedy by declaring March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a symbol of the worldwide need to eliminate racism.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is marked worldwide every yearly with activities led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Canada was one of the first countries to support the UN declaration, and in 1989, the Department of Canadian Heritage launched its annual March 21 Campaign. Canada is the first national government in the world to have a campaign addressing the elimination of racial discrimination.
The March 21 Campaign (Racism. Stop It!) was initiated in response to the need to heighten awareness of the harmful effects of racism on a national scale, and to demonstrate clearly the commitment and leadership of the federal government to foster respect, equality and diversity. Since its inception, the March 21 Campaign has mobilized citizens across Canada to rise up and to take a stand against racism. Through their participation in the campaign, Canadians speak loudly and eloquently, “there is no place for racism in their lives.” Every year to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, numerous activities aiming to raise public awareness on the issue of racism take place across Canada organized by government and community organizations.
Stand Up Against Racism on March 21
Seniors and senior-serving organizations are encouraged to stand up against racism on March 21. The following are a few suggestions on things you can do. For additional tools and information, click below to download our new publication: Embrace Diversity: An Anti-Racism Toolkit for Seniors and Senior-Serving Organizations.
Individual Action
Learn about and explore other cultures
Be aware of an challenge your own assumptions, generalizations and biases
Treat everyone around you with courtesy, dignity and respect
Challenge racist slurs, jokes and stories
Don’t collude with racist gossip
Vote for candidates who support and foster multiculturalism and diversity
Report racist graffiti or materials in your community to the appropriate authorities
Ask for the immediate removal of racist graffiti and/or materials, or get permission to remove them yourself
Organize a look-out program in your community
Report incidences of violence or threats of violence to the police
Participate in March 21st activities
Organize your own anti-racism block event on March 21
Organize an anti-racism event at your local seniors centre, community centre or neighbourhood house
Group Action
Use your newsletter to send a strong anti-racism message on March 21
Use your newsletter to educate and facilitate cross-cultural understanding
Display anti-racism posters, resources and other materials around your facility
Offer anti-racism workshops to your staff, volunteers, members and other clients
Organize a multicultural celebration
Invite guest speakers to your organization to speak about the impact of racism
Write a feature story for your local newspaper about how seniors in your organization are working to combat racism
Set up a display in a public area such as a library, mall or community centre
Hold a public forum to talk about the impact of racism
Host an arts event such as a play, storytelling, music and songs, or dancing
Organize and lead a March 21 march of seniors standing up against racism
Organize annual March 21 anti-racism awareness events
Groups that organize March 21 events or activities are encouraged to inform the March 21 Secretariat so that these may be listed in the National Events Registry. Free promotional material (posters, flags, pins and bookmarks) may also be available. Contact 1-888-776-8584 for further information.
