World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination

World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination

March 21st marks the date for many important holidays celebrated worldwide. Perhaps the most important of these is the World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. Also more commonly known as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the goal of this holiday is to foster peace among all races and to help fight discriminatory thoughts and practices. While it is promoted heavily by the United Nations, smaller organizations have picked up on the importance of this holiday as a way to help make societies better for everyone.

History

World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination was founded by the United Nations in 1966. The General Assembly called for a day to remember the Sharpeville massacre, which occurred on March 21, 1960. On this day, black protestors in Sharpeville, South Africa made a peaceful demonstration in an effort to protest against segregation laws that were set in place during that time. Police on hand were outnumbered and decided to open fire among the protestors. Tragically, 69 people were shot to death.

The United Nations sought to establish a holiday that not only commemorated the lives of those lost during the Sharpeville massacre, but also one that would denote racial discrimination. The first International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was subsequently held on March 21, 1966. It marked the sixth anniversary of the tragic Sharpeville events.

World Observance

The World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination was founded at a pivotal moment in history. Not only was the United States in the middle of a fight for desegregation once and for all, but the civil rights movement spread to other countries across the world. Not only is racial discrimination inhumane, but the United Nations has recognized that segregated societies are more privy to wars and other types of unrest. Tolerance promotes peace as well as a better livelihood for all.

South Africa recognizes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as a government holiday. This means that government offices and other public entities are closed on March 21st of every year to commemorate human rights. This is currently the only country that recognizes the World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination as a public holiday.

Celebrations

This holiday is a cause for many different types of celebrations worldwide. In desegregated nations, such as South Africa, Britain, Australia and the United States, the World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination is a cause to celebrate racial tolerance and peace for all people. While desegregation is the law in these countries, some racism still exists among some individuals so many groups take the opportunity to foster peaceful messages to decrease discrimination once and for all.

The United Nations also hosts special celebrations to commemorate this holiday. 1978 and 1983 were of particular significance, as the U.N. made a special effort to call on all nations to support its efforts against racial discrimination through separate world conferences. In 2001, the United Nations took this concept a step further by holding a World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.

In some nations, the fight against racial discrimination is more than just a celebration. So many people are discriminated against every day, and groups continue to make progress towards social changes with the support of the United Nations. Many of these programs are targeted at children and young adults, since many older groups are already set in their ways. During the World Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination, many event promoters utilize the logo of the United Nations for materials, such as posters and flyers.

By: Kristeen Moore