Why should we have a day against racial discrimination?

           Racism is one of the evils that the world is facing even today. For hundreds of years, men and women have been held slaves because of the colour of their skin.

           In the slavery that existed in the Americas and Europe, black men and women were not even considered human beings. This evil practice was legally banned after incessant interventions by great men like Abraham Lincoln, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. However, racial discrimination exists in various forms even today.

           March 21 is recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Human dignity is the foundation stone for human rights. Every individual is entitled to human rights without discrimination. Governments across the globe have recognized the importance of the rights to equality and non-discrimination.

          The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

          Most societies are afflicted by racism, xenophobia and intolerance. Minorities are discriminated against, and migrants are treated with hatred and cruelty. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a reminder to all of us that we should all stand up against racial prejudice.

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