BURNABY—This Sunday (March 21) is the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, an occasion for people around the world to focus their attention on racism and to help promote racial harmony.
This year’s Anti-Racism Day marks the 50th anniversary of the date it was chosen to commemorate: the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa, when police opened fire on hundreds of South Africans protesting against Apartheid’s passbook laws, killing 67 and wounding 186.
“CUPE BC encourages its members to commemorate this day with their families, friends, and co-workers in whatever manner they see fit,” says CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill. “The fight against racism never ends, but through our collective efforts to promote multicultural diversity we can make a difference and help make the world a better place.”
Anti-racism events are being held throughout the week in conjunction with Anti-Racism Day. On Wednesday (March 24), the University of British Columbia is holding an event at its Vancouver campus at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts.
The event, which starts at noon, opens with a reading and talk, “Poetry Against Racism,” by distinguished poet and editor Roy Miki. UBC students will then participate in a poetry slam contest, “Racism Experienced or Witnessed,” followed by a performance by Lynn Manning of his autobiographical play, “Weights”. For more details, visit our events page.
