Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Today 21st of March, is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, established in 1966, by the United Nations after considering all the previous resolutions of discrimination and apartheid.
This day was chosen in memory of the 69 people (women, men, and children) killed outside the police station in Sharpeville, South Africa (1960), while they held a peaceful demonstration against apartheid law that required all black people to carry identity documentation, which was known as “pass book” at all times.
According to Article 1 of the International Convention of Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination describes it “as any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal, footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life”.
I have a lot of experiences based on racial discrimination such as skin colour, gender, nationality, and ethnicity. I experienced discrimination in Cuba. I was painted on the wall for many since they thought I was a prostitute so; I didn’t have the right to ask or comment. It pissed me off a lot even though I knew it was a possible scenario. I got to admit it was annoying and frustrating. I remember that I had their attention when I got sick, and they realized that I was not a Cuban.
Every day we live racial discrimination because is it constructed by us; therefore, it can also be dismantling by us.
What racial discrimination have you experienced? Share it with us.
Women Wheel 
Leave a Reply