“Racism is
like a tug of war. A racist comment pulls a little; excluding someone
because of their skin colour pulls a little more. Alone, we will lose
this war; together we will win it!!”
-
African
Canadian public school educator
OPSEU joins
workers around the world in celebrating March 21st, the
designated International Day for the Elimination of Racism. This day
has been recognized by the United Nations since 1966 to commemorate the
sixty-nine black South Africans who were shot on March 21, 1960 while
peacefully demonstrating against the apartheid system. This year’s
theme is “Empowering Youth to Fight Racism”.
It is a day
for us all to remember and reflect on the fact that racism is still part
of our society and it is a day for us to remember that racism has a very
real human impact. It deprives workers of colour and aboriginal
peoples their right to dignity and worth.
OPSEU is
proud of its diverse membership and it is from this diversity that we
draw our strength. As a union, we have an obligation to strive for
better working conditions, decent wages and social equity. As trade
unionists, we also have a duty to continue the fight to eliminate racism
in our workplaces, communities and the union
Each of us
has an important role and responsibility in building a society that is
free from racism. Stand up; don’t stand by!
