Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
Toay, March 21, the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The theme this year is Youth standing up against racism
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“Racism generates inequality…but inequality also fuels racism”
—Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Dean, Faculty of Law, UWI STA.
Many thanks to all those who contributed to and participated in the recent virtual National Symposium entitled ‘A Time for Healing— Understanding and Reconciling Race Relations in Trinidad and Tobago’, organised by UWI’s Faculty of Law and CCSJ on Sunday, August 30.
Those who missed the four-hour long proceedings can access it here
Prof Rhoda Reddock (in photo) rightly noted that, “We understand almost everything through the prism of race. Race becomes an explanation for all failure, achievement, economic decisions, marriage decisions, educating decisions, employment decisions and, of course, voting decisions…”
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“When injustices around the world are screaming ‘your life is of no value’, the Church cannot remain silent. Apathy makes excuses. Love finds a way.”—Nicky Gumbel, English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions.
Racism is a vile worm that continues to eat away at the soul of humanity. I don’t think any right-thinking person can watch the video of the way in which George Floyd died without raging for justice.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI
The world will observe The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. The theme this year is: Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination.
“Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, colour, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (Gaudium et Spes, 29,2)
The world will observe The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tomorrow, March 21.
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, this “is an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a world of justice and equality where xenophobia and bigotry do not exist. We must learn the lessons of history and acknowledge the profound damage caused by racial discrimination.”
The theme this year is: Challenges and Achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action – 15 years after.