NAC PRESIDENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

MAKE A CHANGE-END DISCRIMINATIONA MESSAGE BY THE NAC PRESIDENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

It all starts with thinking that the other person is less than you. Discrimination, it leads to ignorance and even hate. The difference in race, color, gender, age, disability, religious belief or sexual orientation does not give anyone the right to judge or feel superior in any way to the other person. We are all human beings, worthy of the same rights.

Nations have been separated, people’s hatred for one another has escalated to the point of spilling of blood. South Africa lived in apartheid, there was no peace and security as people of the same country killed each other. Cameron is now fighting the same battle of differences in language, It's appalling that some countries reinforce their power and the status quo by openly justifying discrimination in the name of morality, religion or ideology.

Discrimination has successfully

 divided people within the same country, continent and the world at large.

Haven’t we suffered enough though? The outer layer of someone’s skin color does not represent the soul within. Our differences in religious inclination does not make one superior to the other. Being a refugee in your country doesn't mean I am less than you. I am just a victim of circumstance. Being a woman or a child does not give anyone the right to oppress me. That I am an albino does not mean you have to belittle me. Any ideology that belittles the next person totally means nothing, the inner soul is what matters.

Discrimination has crushed a lot of people. It has killed dreams before they were hatched and has delayed the development we want as a continent. It is now time to look back and introspect-what positive thing have we achieved by being torn apart by discrimination?

This year's theme: Racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including the context of migration calls us as human beings to learn to live in harmony with one another. Everyone has the right to be treated equally regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, class, caste, religion, belief, sex, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, health or any other status.

It is time to get rid of discriminatory laws, to protect everyone from violence including immigrants. Refugees and migrants are particular targets of racial profiling and incitement to hatred. It is not their intention to live in those conditions but it becomes worse when having been forced by circumstances to leave your home for security, you then face death in a foreign country where you thought you will be safe.

It is time for human unity. The International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination comes as an opportunity to help communities to celebrate human unity and the diversity of the human race.

It's a chance to recognize prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination in our society, and how each of us may have our own prejudices and may be making people feel excluded without our even realizing it. It's a chance to reaffirm our commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination and help create communities and societies where all citizens can live in dignity, equality and peace.

It all starts with you as an individual, to make a change, find these hidden prejudices, discrimination and racism, think of ways to change attitudes and behaviours, support organizations that strive to fight discrimination and raise awareness to end racism.

#jointogether#standup4humanrights #fightracism #AfricanDescent

Bright-Bruce Acquaye

President and Founder

New African Chapter