Young people fight for racial justice and equality
March 19, 2021 / By Diana Khezeqia
This was published more than 4 years ago. There may be outdated information.
Sunday March 21, is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – also known as Harmony Day in Australia. In 1966, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations to help eliminate all forms of racism and racial discrimination globally. This day commemorates the lives of 69 people killed in 1960 when police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire on people participating in a peaceful demonstration against apartheid laws.
This year’s theme is “Youth standing up against racism”. Global demonstrations in 2020 highlighted the influence young people have on addressing issues of racial discrimination and inequality. The United Nations website states “Young people massively showed their support at the 2020 Black Lives Matter marches, which drew millions of demonstrators worldwide”. The statement continues with, “their activism was all the more remarkable in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
People can engage through #FightRacism and each one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes. The aim is to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination.
Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her opening statement at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council Debate on the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent sees young people as powerful allies in the fight against racial discrimination.
“Today’s young leaders are eager to help determine new paths for their societies – towards a future that is more respectful and more fair”. Nada continues to say young people “mobilize as powerful forces for change, claiming the right of every human being to live free and equal in dignity and rights”.
Speaking at the same session, Charles Bentley, Human Rights Officer for the United States, agrees with Nada advocating that young people are at the frontline of this movement and need support.
“Now more than ever, we see that youth engagement and political participation are vital to addressing systemic racism, as well as other global challenges, including climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and authoritarian threats to democracy. It is essential that we commit to giving young people access to the political space and providing an enabling environment for them to be active citizens”.