The laws are in place, freedom and equality are expressed with every publication on the benefits of being Canadian. It was not very long ago that discrimination based on race was not illegal.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, commemorates the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. On that day in South Africa, peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were killed. In 1966, the United Nations declared that each year on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination should be observed as a symbol of the worldwide need to end racism.
We need to recommit ourselves to the struggle against racial discrimination in the sincere hope of creating a just society where every human being’s dignity is affirmed through fair and equitable treatment.
African Americans enslaved to work on plantations, Chinese enslaved to work on the railroads, South Americas enslaved to work in the fields, the list goes on and continues to this very day.
Racism is about allowing our laws to treat entire populations differently than the masses.
We can’t make people like each other
• But in the workplace, we can make sure no one is treated differently because of their racial or ethnic origin.
• We can encourage workers who are racially harassed to speak out with the support of their union.
• We can state clearly that our Employer and the IAMAW will work to ensure that our workplace is free from sexism, discrimination, racism and bigotry.
• We will actively work to promote tolerance and mutual respect in our workplace and in our Union.
You might feel that saying or doing something might put you or your job at risk. If this is the case go to someone in authority. Employers and Unions have a responsibility to make sure that racial harassment does not occur in the workplace.
Silence or doing nothing will not typically make racial harassment go away and sometimes such behaviour can lead to violence. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, speak to your representative or person you trust that will help you make it stop.
This March 21st make a commitment to END RACISM
