“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”
Audre Lorde (American Writer, Professor, and Civil Rights Activist)
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on March 21 each year to commemorate the Sharpeville massacre, which took place on this day in 1960 in South Africa. On that day, 69 unarmed anti-apartheid protestors were killed by the police, and over 180 were injured. The day is a reminder of the need to continue to combat racism and discrimination in all its forms.
Come forward to 2023, and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes on particular significance as the world continues to grapple with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities and discrimination, particularly for marginalized communities.
Racial discrimination is a pervasive human rights violation that has affected people around the world throughout history. One of the most infamous examples of racial discrimination is the transatlantic slave trade, lasting from the 16th to the 19th century. Millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the Americas to be sold as slaves. This led to the institutionalization of racial discrimination and the belief in the inherent superiority of white people over people of African descent.
Other examples include the Apartheid in South Africa, a system of racial segregation enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994; Japanese internment by the United States during World War II; the colonization of Africa, Asia, and the Americas by European powers leading to the widespread subjugation and exploitation of non-white populations; terror lynchings of African Americans in the United States during the period between the Civil War and World war II; and the most grotesque of all, the Holocaust, a genocide that took place during World War II in which approximately six million Jews were killed by the Nazi regime. The Holocaust was driven by anti-Semitic beliefs and the idea of racial purity espoused by the Nazis.
These are just a few examples of the many instances of racial discrimination that have occurred throughout history. Likewise, Racial discrimination is a complex issue in Bangladesh that is influenced by various factors such as ethnicity, religion, and social class. Some of the instances of racial discrimination in Bangladesh include discrimination against indigenous peoples such as the Chakma, Marma, Tripura and other tribal communities, who face systemic discrimination and exclusion and are often marginalized from mainstream society and denied access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
Discrimination against Rohingya refugees; discrimination against the Dalit community -- also known as the "untouchables" -- who face exclusion due to their lower social status; discrimination against religious minorities; discrimination against women, etc. These are just a few more examples of the instances of racial discrimination in Bangladesh.
While progress has been made in combating discrimination, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.
Combined global action is necessary to tackle this serious problem.
Education and awareness are crucial in combating racial discrimination. Governments, civil society organizations, and educational institutions should work together to promote greater awareness of the issues and the impact of racial discrimination.
Governments should enact laws and policies that prohibit racial discrimination and promote equality and non-discrimination. These laws should be enforced through effective legal systems and mechanisms.
Hate speech and propaganda can fuel racial discrimination and hate crimes. Such actions must be condemned at all levels.
Victims of racial discrimination should be supported through legal aid, counseling, and other forms of assistance. Marginalized groups should be empowered through access to education, healthcare, employment, and other essential services.
Diversity and inclusion should be promoted in all aspects of society, including education, employment, and public life. This can be achieved through affirmative action policies and measures that promote diversity and inclusion.
Dialogue and reconciliation are important in addressing the root causes of racial discrimination and promoting understanding and respect.
Structural inequalities, such as poverty and unequal access to resources, can contribute to racial discrimination. Efforts should be made to address these inequalities through policies and programs that promote equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
To rebuild trust in a post-pandemic world, we must address the root causes of racism and discrimination, while promoting diversity and inclusion. We must ensure that all individuals have a dignified life with equal access to opportunities and resources irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender or ethnicity.
Meher Afroj Binte Reaz, is a student in the Department of English at the University of Chittagong.
