Int. Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Today Bermuda celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The event is observed annually in many countries worldwide, normally on March 21st. The day was chosen in remembrance of the 1960 ‘Sharpeville Massacre‘, when people gathered to peacefully protest and apartheid-era South African police opened fire on a crowd of peaceful black protesters, killing 69 people, including 10 children.
The police continued firing even when the crowd had turned to run, and the majority of those killed and wounded were shot in the back. It was later determined the protesters were all unarmed [1].
A view of the streets after the Sharpeville massacre
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Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
There was commemorative ceremony held this afternoon at the Bermuda National Gallery at City Hall. Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Neletha Butterfield spoke at the event, and her remarks were released by the Government.
Her full speech follows:
On March 7th 1965, marchers were a few blocks into their Selma-to-Montgomery march when they were beaten by troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The march was later completed with Martin Luther King Jr. leading the way under federal protection which led to the passage of the Voters Rights Act in the United States. This year marks the 45th anniversary of that incident, which is known as “Bloody Sunday”, and is remembered around the world.
Congressman John Lewis strolled to the middle of that bridge on Sunday 7th March 2010, 45 years later, before he led marchers across the bridge in a re-creation of the 1965 March. The first black President of the United States said that despite all the progress since that “terrible day in Selma” more still needs to be done.
Yes that is true for Bermuda too, more still needs to be done to work towards the elimination of racial discrimination; more still needs to be done to work towards the elimination of institutional racial discrimination; and more still needs to be done to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.
In 1966, a year after “Bloody Sunday” and the six year anniversary of the day when police killed 69 people on the African Continent in Sharpeville, South Africa, known as the Sharpeville Massacre, the United Nations General Assembly designated 21st March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and called upon the international community to focus its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
This year, CURE, the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2010 by organizing a Community Treasure Hunt.
Since its inception, CURE has worked with community leaders, educators, religious groups, professional organizations, civic groups, students, and the business sector in educating persons on the denigrating effects of racism and racial discrimination within our society. The tackling of racial discrimination is a process of relationship building, of changing mindsets and sometimes, of legislating change.
We, as leaders, and as community members must continue to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and sensitivities of all of Bermuda’s communities. We must welcome racial diversity and ensure rights-based equality for all.
The challenges we face are not easy, and it is only through sustained and collaborative efforts that we will bring about meaningful change.
We must view ourselves as allies in the process – both working together with our contemporaries and gaining inspiration from those who have preceded us.I wish to thank the staff of CURE for their creative approaches to commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Last year the public was invited to sign a large 400 piece puzzle of the map of Bermuda to symbolize our commitment to eliminating racism. This year you participated in a treasure hunt designed to educate us on the history of race relations in Bermuda and consistent with the theme, “Treasuring your Past is the Key to your Future.”
Although more still needs to be done, we have come a long way since the execution of Sally Bassett, and the attainment of equal voting rights.
Both blacks and whites have embraced the equal opportunity for political achievement and we must celebrate our successes.
But the journey is not yet complete and it will not be complete until equality is achieved for all racial groups in Bermuda.
The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has a vision which seeks to promote better race relations and equality in Bermuda.
Let us be committed to equality and inclusion for all!
Thank you for being here.
Now, let us embrace the sentiments of the Proclamation for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Bermuda 21 March 2010
