International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Our society has made more advances in the last five decades than in the previous 5,000 years combined. Yet for all our advances in art, literature music and technology, for all our strength, hope, beauty and compassion, we have yet to fully transcend the simple barrier of ethnicity.

March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Observance of this day reminds us all that we must continue to speak up to help eradicate practices and attitudes that deny some groups the dignity and respect associated with full participation in Canadian society.

Challenging Racial Harassment and Stereotypes in the Workplace!

“Is this the way your people do it?”

“Those people smell bad because of the type of food they eat.”

“Inappropriate jokes based on ethnic identity.”

“Caricatures that ridicule ethnic groups.”

Quiet and subtle or open and direct, these types of comments are completely inappropriate, even when not directed at you. Collective Bargaining includes the right to a harassment free workplace. Talk to your steward if you’re faced with one of these situations.

And see the Concluding Observations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (2007) for the measures it recommends towards the elimination of racism in Canada