What a time for online learning and digital resources! As you are aware, UBC is transitioning to online classes, as of today, for the remainder of the term in response to help contain the current outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). People are afraid of Coronavirus but unfortunately, it seems racism spreading faster than the virus itself. Many Asian communities are facing discrimination, xenophobic micro-aggressions and even violence amid the outbreak. Below watch some of the experiences Chinese-Canadians have faced as Coronavirus spreads across the globe. How can we help stop this epidemic of ignorance? The answer: Taking a stand against racism!
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21st. The United Nations reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights; they have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. On this Anti-racist day, all of us must take a stand against racism and promote respect, compassion and equality for all. Spread the word about human rights by using incredible visuals, videos and campaign materials provided by the U.N. Click on the hashtag to fight racism and stand up for Human Rights inside your classroom: #LetsFightRacism #StandUp4HumanRights
Every year, March 21 is recognized as a day where the international community can come together in an effort to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Racism, xenophobia and intolerance are problems prevalent in all societies. But every day, each and every one of us can be an upstander against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes. Racism starts small. It is more than meets the eye! Sometimes it lives in everyday actions and comments that we laugh off, nod in agreement to, excuse, and therefore accept. But we don’t have to. We can stop casual racism from growing into something more extreme. We can give it no encouragement. No place. No power. We can give it nothing. UNICEF developed classroom-ready digital resources to support the elimination of racial discrimination!
We cannot speak about racism without first understanding the concept of intersectionality. Scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality to deal with the fact that many social justice problems like racism and sexism are often overlapping, creating multiple levels of injustice. As an anti-discrimination scholar, a feminist, an antiracist, Kimberlé Crenshaw witnessed an exponential injustice; explaining how various intersections can manifest to deepen and widen forms of oppression. In her Ted Talk: The Urgency of Intersectionality she further explains this phenomenon. Learn below how early freedom fighters fought against multiple oppressions in the following National Museum of African American History and Culture video.
What is racism and where does it come from? The Roots of Racism is an Indigenous Youth Wellness Lesson. Kayla takes her younger brother Nate back in time to show him how racism started in Canada. This video was made in partnership with Sean Muir and his team from the Healthy Aboriginal Network to teach about the history of racism in Canada. Cuystwi is a free online youth wellness quest for Indigenous youth in BC. The 24 interactive and video-based lessons in their program cover topics including: celebrating Indigenous cultures, identity strengthening, learning about the history of Indigenous people, learning about ways to deal with racism, healthy relationships, learning about what sexuality means and learning about our emotions.
The basic idea of human rights is that each one of us, no matter who we are or where we are born, is entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms. The United Nations proclaimed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966 to ensure the protection of everyone’s human rights. We must bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice to become human rights activists! To take a stand against racism is to recognize and value the strength and capacity of oppressed communities to survive in an unjust system that continuously undermines their existence and freedom. Let’s celebrate our diversity and be proud of our uniqueness! We have to empower each other! Get inspired below…
Lorely Rodriguez Aka. Empress Of and her Feminist empowering anthem: “Woman is a Word”
“We are the original storytellers and we can make it here.” JojoRabbit’s, TaikaWaititi dedicates his Oscar win to “all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art, dance and write stories.”
Black Girl Magic! Empowering Black women and girls by celebrating their achievements, beauty and irrepressibility! #IWD2020
During Black History Month celebrate some of #TheMostSearched moments and individuals in Herstory.