March 21, The International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination

On March 21, 1960, 69 people were killed and more than 180 injured in Sharpeville, South Africa, after police fired upon anti-apartheid demonstrators.

This year, Nova Scotia will join the United Nations and communities around the world as they mark the anniversary of that deadly encounter with events honouring the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

"March 21 is an opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come and how far we have yet to go in countering racism," said Mayann Francis, CEO and director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

In Halifax Regional Municipality, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission will once again join Partners Against Racism (PAR) to mark the occasion.

PAR volunteers represent private and public sector organizations committed to racial harmony and awareness of human rights issues and, this year, they have organized an event called Manifestations of Racism: How Does it Show?

To be held at the Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley campus, the morning-long session will focus on how racism affects so many aspects of our daily lives. The keynote speakers will be Edy Guy-Francois, the principal of Caledonia Junior High School, and Teresa MacInnes, director of the film Waging Peace: A Year in the Life of Caledonia Junior High.

"But the focus will move beyond schools and our youth," said PAR co-chair Sandra Smith-Muir. "We will also feature panellists and group discussions of racism and immigration, racism and health, and the realities of environmental racism. We'll be looking at the ways racism shows in our own neighbourhoods, and how individuals can be part of a solution."

The event is open to all. It begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, with a Harmony Breakfast and will also include the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission's presentation of the 2006 Human Rights Award and entertainment by the Shannon Park Junior High African Dancers, Drummers and Choir.

Nova Scotia athlete and motivational speaker Will Njoku, meanwhile, will share his High Hoops presentation with junior and senior high school students in another area of the province in honour of the day.

Using details of his life's journey from Ghana to Nova Scotia and beyond, the former professional basketball player shares messages about avoiding negative peer pressure and facing sometimes overwhelming challenges to not only survive but excel.

Mr. Njoku will visit with students at St. Mary's Bay Academy in Weymouth and Digby Regional Junior High School on Monday, March 20; Annapolis West Educational Centre and Annapolis Royal Regional Academy on Tuesday, March 21, and; Bridgetown and Middleton regional high schools on Wednesday, March 22.

In Cape Breton, the seventh annual March 21st Harmony Breakfast will be held at Cape Breton University at 8:30 a.m. This year's theme for the event is Eliminating Racism through Education and the guest speaker is Laurianne Sylvester-Stephen, chair of Cape Breton Regional Municipality's affirmative action committee.

Highlights of that event include presentation by Cape Breton Regional Police of the Karl (Campy) Crawford award and entertainment by INspirational Singers.