Every 21st March marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This significant day was established by the United Nation General Assembly in October 1966 and has since been observed annually. Its origin links back to a fateful event in 1960 when police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration against apartheid pass laws in Sharpeville, South Africa, killing 69 people.
The Shadows of Apartheid
Apartheid was a policy installed by South Africa’s white minority which sanctioned racial segregation and political as well as economic discrimination against the non-white majority. The proclamation of this International Day in 1966 symbolizes the struggle to put an end to such oppressive policies.
‘Youth Standing Up Against Racism’ – 2021 Theme
With each passing year, this day takes on a new theme. In 2021, it is centered on ‘Youth standing up against racism’. Young people across the globe are encouraged to actively stand against racism and racial discrimination.
Racism – A Deeper Insight
Racism, or racialism, manifests through the belief that physical traits inherited by humans classify them into distinct races. These classifications give rise to perceptions of superiority of one race over another. More damagingly, they are applied to political, legal, and economic institutions, perpetuating discrimination based on race and reinforcing racial inequalities.
Xenophobia vs Racism
While xenophobia and racism often overlap, a clear distinction exists. Racism is discrimination based on physical characteristics, while xenophobia is discrimination rooted in the perception that someone is foreign or from another community or nation. The term Xenophobia originates from the Greek word Xeno, meaning foreign or strange.
Present Scenario: Prevalence of Racism
Today, the internet provides a cloak of anonymity, allowing racist stereotypes and misinformation to propagate unchecked. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, hate-mongering against certain communities increased alarmingly online. This led to social and economic boycotts of religious minorities, spawned by false information accusing them of spreading the virus. Moreover, new technologies and artificial intelligence raise the possibility of ‘techno-racism’, where facial recognition programs can unfairly target and misidentify racialized communities.
Racism Interventions on a Global Scale
Several organizations are stepping up to combat racism. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is one such example, employing education, sciences, culture, communication, and city-level planning as tools against racism. The World Economic Forum and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement have also stood up to racial discrimination, creating waves globally.
India’s Position Against Racial Discrimination
India has constitutional safeguards against racial discrimination with Article 15, Article 16, and Article 29 prohibiting discrimination based on race. The country ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in 1968 as well.
Charting the Path Forward
In order to tackle the evolving forms of racism and discrimination, new strategies involving intercultural dialogue and learning must be implemented. Anti-racist action should be encouraged, and a global culture of tolerance, equality, and anti-discrimination must be fostered in the minds of individuals worldwide.
