Racism and discrimination have been in the forefront in the news these days, but the issues are not new. In 1979, the United Nations General Assembly declared a Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination and this year it will be celebrated on from March 21 – 27. This week was first observed in 1980.

The first day of this celebratory week has been acknowledged as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the theme for this day in 2021 is “Youth standing up against racism.”

This week recognizes the importance of communities and nations to strive towards racial equality and tolerance.

You can start the week by sharing #FightRacism on social media, Drawing attention to the need to create a “global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes,” according to un.org/end-racism-day. .

Going beyond a simple hashtag, you can also participate in this week by learning about the influence of racism in different parts of the world, and how it evolves and impacts populations.