March 21, 2011 - International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination

A message from Lorene Oikawa, BCGEU vice-president and chair of the Equity + Human Rights Committee

On March 21st each year we take time to mark the International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. This day was proclaimed by the United Nations in remembrance of the 69 black men, women and children who were killed and the over 180 who were injured in Sharpeville, a black township in South Africa. This horrific example of racism took place in 1960 when police opened fire on unarmed people who were participating in a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration. Many were shot in the back as they were trying to leave the area.

As British Columbians, we share the dream of a time when racism doesn't exist. We take great pride in our diversity and our cultural events. However, our own history is blemished. The 1907 Anti-Asian riots took place in Vancouver. The Komagata Maru arrived in the Vancouver Harbour in 1914 and the 376 British Sikhs aboard the ship were denied entry for two months before being forced to leave. Over 23,000 Canadians of Japanese ancestry in BC including babies, children and women were imprisoned in camps during the 1940's and all their property (land, homes, farms, businesses, fishing boats and vehicles) taken and sold under the guise of security concerns.

We have made great strides since those events and we can cite examples where diversity is celebrated. Unfortunately, we do not have to go back to history for examples of injustice against racialized persons.

Just as some employers exploited "cheap" Asian labour in 1907, we see examples of workers who are brought to Canada in 2011 as temporary cheap labour. We see workers who are not allowed benefits, denied the opportunity for citizenship, not recognized for their foreign credentials and are trapped in indentured servitude through programs such as the live-in caregiver program, part of the temporary foreign workers programming under the Harper Government. However, this time instead of allowing workers to be divided, labour is taking on an important role to speak out against the injustice.

Last summer, 25 workers, many of them new African immigrants, were found in horrendous conditions at a forestry camp in Golden, BC. BCGEU noted the sweeping BC Liberal cuts including the closure of a forests ministry office in Golden which has hindered the ability to monitor operators contracted by the province. The BC Federation of Labour conducted an investigation and outlined the abuses including no safe drinking water, no toilet facilities, lack of food, no pay/under paid, threats, and racism. Workplace racism does take place even in the 21st century.

Racism is also present in our communities. Earlier this month, racist graffiti and a swastika were painted on an elementary school in Richmond. Similar graffiti was found at a Richmond market last August.
 
These are a few of the stories from recent headlines, but there are also the unreported incidents that don’t make the headlines, and the "jokes" and bullying in our workplaces, schools and organizations.

Some will recoil from these stories and say that they have positive stories and have never experienced any negative situations. We do have more positive examples then negative, but the point is we can't turn a blind eye to the racism that does occur.

Whether it's speaking up for someone at a workplace or writing a letter to an editor or voting for a progressive political party, there are many actions one can take to support diversity and say that racism is not acceptable.

Our society is stronger when we engage people with a range of skills and experience, and remove the barriers to their full participation in all levels of organizations and in our communities. Inclusivity is more than a celebration of festivals and food: It's also about meaningful representation in organizational and political structures.

March 21 is a designated day to speak out, but take the opportunity every day to challenge racism whether it's in your workplace, home, school, union or community. An inclusive society is a strong society and we can make it a reality and not just a dream.

The BCGEU Equity + Human Rights Committee works with labour organizations such as our national union (NUPGE) and the BC Federation of Labour as well as community organizations to fight to eliminate discrimination. If you are a member of one of the four equity groups (Aboriginal workers, Workers of Colour, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered Workers, Workers with Disabilities) and wish to receive further information regarding equity issues please complete the questionnaire located on the website. All information is strictly confidential.