Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

March 21 is a time to remember those who fought against racism and for equality and human rights. We must honour them by taking up the torch and continuing the struggle, especially at a time of relentless neoconservative efforts to roll back our gains.

A more recent example of these efforts is the Harper minority government’s refusal to participate in the upcoming United Nations International Forum to Against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia.

A further look at the Harper government’s record on human rights and equality makes it obvious that the Conservatives have no interest in fighting racism and discrimination.

In two years of government under the Conservative Party, it has:

• eliminated the Court Challenges Program,
• eliminated the Law Reform Commission,
• scrapped valuable literacy and equity programming to communities, including Aboriginal communities,
• reduced social development programs under the Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC),
• reduced programs that facilitate cultural awareness under Multiculturalism,
• refused to recognize Aboriginal rights in Canada and in the international forum, and
• detained racialized people under security certificates without proper due process.

Furthermore, the Conservative government, in its pursuit for corporate profits over the universal welfare of Canadians, continues to make cuts to quality public services and to privatize these services. It ignores the historical role that quality public services have played in Canada in ensuring equality and human rights.

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Today is the United Nations (UN) International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It’s a day observed all around the world to focus attention on the need to promote racial harmony. The UN made this designation in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed during a protest against apartheid. Here is  the PSAC Statement on March 21st:

In the current context of globalization, deep integration of our economies and the war against terrorism, people of colour and Aboriginal peoples suffer racism that subject them to economic, political and social marginalization.

Adequate resources should be allocated to Aboriginal communities for their housing, education, medical, and other social needs and should be a government priority. However, the Federal 2007 Budget did not allocate any specific funding for Aboriginal communities even though they are among the most disadvantaged in Canada which is well known internationally Canada has been repeatedly called upon to address the oppression and systemic barriers faced by Aboriginal peoples.

As well, racialized people from Arab and Muslim communities are increasingly being portrayed in stereotypical and negative ways in our communities and workplaces since September 11, 2001. Anti-terrorism measures have been put in place and implemented that specifically target certain communities. It has become more acceptable to consider limits to religious accommodation, particularly accommodation of people from the Muslim faith, because they are contrary to “Canadian values.”

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March 21, 1960 – there must have been excitement and fear that day as the residents of Sharpeville, South Africa gathered to peacefully protest the Apartheid “pass laws.” Imagine the courage each of the equity warriors demonstrated as they peacefully stood together against those that were familiar with using brutal violence to enforce racial injustice. Students and neighbours came together in a common commitment to seek change, to pursue equity, and to demand the elimination of racism within a country that had legitimized inequality.

It must have been an exhilarating dream.

Forty-six years ago, they stood together for this dream. Today, we remember their bravery. That day, sixty-nine black demonstrators were killed and 180 wounded by armed South African police, in what history records as the Sharpeville Massacre.

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