March 21 is designated by the United Nations (UN) as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
It’s a day observed all around the world to focus attention on the dangers of racism and the need to promote equity and inclusion. The UN made this designation in 1966 to mark a tragic event that took place on March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa when 69 peaceful demonstrators were killed during a protest against apartheid.
Canada was one of the first countries to support the UN initiative and launched its first annual campaign against racial discrimination in 1989.
The March 21 Campaign was initiated to heighten awareness of the harmful effects of racism on a national scale and to clearly demonstrate the commitment and leadership of the Government of Canada to foster respect, equity and diversity.
MCoS coordinates and supports campaigns and activities in Saskatchewan communities and schools with contributions from many partners to recognize March 21 and use it as a springboard for the year-long work to recognize and reject racism.
To recognize March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, MCoS is running a provincial educational campaign featuring the theme Rise Against Racism
Join our campaign to raise awareness of racism, how it works, the damage it causes and how we can recognize and reject it.
We have also launched a social media campaign to accompany this campaign using #RiseAgainstRacism. Use this tagline to complete one of these sentences “I/We Rise Against Racism For/Because…” and share why this is important to you!
Here are some examples to get you started.
Download Activity kit
#MarchOutRacism Kit d’activités
Imprimez ce guide d’activités et publiez le contenu dans une zone très visible.
#MarchOutRacism Activity Kit
Print off this activity guide and post the content in a highly visible area.
During March we invite members, partners, schools, workplaces, faith groups, etc. to download a free activity kit. Share your anti-racism messages on social media using the hashtag #RiseAgainstRacism . This is sure to start a lot of conversations!
Join the conversation on social media using #RiseAgainstRacism
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
Thank you to the Government of Saskatchewan for their support.
Thank you to Canadian Race Relations Foundation for their support.
There are different kinds of racism.
It is important to understand that one cannot effectively deal with racism until one looks at all the underlying causes and takes steps to correct them.
MCoS is excited to announce our new ICARE project. It is a project designed to build relationships between Indigenous, newcomer, established immigrant, and settler organizations and community members while addressing racism, oppression, and colonialism through an intersectional decolonial lens. Some aspects of the project will take place in specific communities, others will have a provincial reach.
ICARE is explicitly designed to work toward the elimination of discrimination, racism, and prejudice through workshops for a variety of audiences, online resources and conversations including regional intercultural and anti-racism community activities, regional organizational networking, deepening the understanding of racism and colonialism in the multicultural community, and a virtual book club.
ICARE is all about working together to build awareness and change attitudes. It is founded on the belief that the combination of intercultural relationships and anti-racism education allows people to sit with discomfort and learn. The components of ICARE take this a step further by including opportunities for plans for action to make communities better places for all.
For upcoming education opportunities and workshops visit our ICARE page HERE.
Take what you’ve learned throughout your anti-racism journey and apply it in this interactive journey HERE.
Please keep in mind, this activity is meant as an exercise for reflection only, and not as a definitive guide for responding to racism.
Every scenario and person is different, and you will need to consider each decision carefully, taking in the full scope of the specific circumstances of any racist incident you may witness or be targeted by.
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Regina, SK. S4R 3C1
MCoS’ work and support reaches lands covered by Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10 traditional lands of the Nehiyaw/Nehithaw/Nehinaw/Cree, Nahkawe/Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Dene peoples and Homeland of the Métis/Michif.
