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By Jennifer Chieh Ho<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
In 1966, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was meant to commemorate the 1960 massacre that took place in Sharpeville, South Africa, where a demonstration that started off as peaceful, ended with shots fired by police. That day, 69 South Africans were killed and over 180 were injured<\/a>.\u00a0The demonstrators took to the street to protest; they called on the apartheid government to abolish laws that required all black men and women to carry reference books containing their personal information.\u00a0If someone was found without their book in a public place, they would be arrested and detained in prison.<\/p>\n Canada was among the first countries to support the UN resolution<\/a> designating March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Our nation first observed the day in 1989.<\/p>\n However, 49 years later, there is still much work to be done to wipe out racism.\u00a0Every day, people are subjected to racist comments and stereotypes in the media, schools, public spaces and workplaces.<\/p>\n Continually putting the spotlight on race, ethnic background and skin colour creates an atmosphere where racial discrimination can thrive. Whether intentional or not, actions towards people based on their race, ethnic backgrounds or skin colour can have a negative impact on the day-to-day lives of racialized members of society.<\/p>\n I am often asked:<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you from?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is your background?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did you learn English?\u201d<\/p>\n I am often subjected to unsolicited comments such as:<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t look Chinese.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou speak good English.\u201d<\/p>\n I recognize that questions are often asked out of curiosity, but it\u2019s the manner in which questions are asked that is key! If the questions are asked as a means to get to know me and are asked in a respectful way, then, in the spirit of open dialogue, they are welcomed. If questions or comments pander to racial stereotypes, then please do not ask them or state them.<\/p>\n I am ethnic Chinese, but I am not from China (yet I have been told to \u201cgo back to China!\u201d). This is a common remark made to racially-visible persons.<\/p>\n I am a Canadian with three children, two of whom were born in Canada; imagine how you would feel if your children were told to go back to a country they were not born in! Would you feel that your children were welcome and respected in their birthplace?<\/p>\n We live in a country of great diversity \u2013 one where everyone should be treated equally and with respect.\u00a0So why do some of us have to work so hard to get people to look beyond our ethnic backgrounds, our places of origin or our skin colour?\u00a0Why can\u2019t people look at our skill sets, our abilities, our education, our experiences, and, most importantly, at our worth as individuals, instead?\u00a0It\u2019s sad to see that racial discrimination still exists.\u00a0The only thing that will make a difference is when each and every individual is treated with respect and dignity \u2013 when we are all accepted on the basis of our own unique merits. In order to actively eliminate racial discrimination, we have to continue to educate and speak up. And we must actively work on racism, both on a personal and institutional level, for our children and for future generations.<\/i><\/p>\n Jennifer Chieh Ho is the regional vice-president for the British Columbia and Yukon region. This article was written as part of our union\u2019s member journalism<\/a> program. If you\u2019d like to find out more, <\/i>click here<\/i><\/a> \u2013 to pitch a story or for any questions, please send an email to <\/i>communications@une-sen.org<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Jennifer Chieh Ho In 1966, the United Nations designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was meant to commemorate the 1960 massacre that took place in Sharpeville, South Africa, where a demonstration that started off as peaceful, ended with shots fired by police. That day, 69 South … <\/p>\n