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Fighting racial discrimination in the age of globalization and anti-terrorism
In the current context of globalization and the war against terrorism, people of colour and Aboriginal peoples suffer a two-pronged attack that subjects them to economic, political and social marginalization.
The main goal of globalization is to ensure the free flow of capital internationally and to maximize profits for multinational corporations and the rich global minority through policies such as trade liberalization, privatization and deregulation. However, for the majority of the populations in the Global South, most of whom are people of colour, these policies result in the destruction of domestic industries, environmental degradation, debilitating foreign debt, increased unemployment and underemployment and extreme poverty. The economic crises and attendant political instabilities in the Global South force workers in these poorer countries to migrate to richer countries, where, as people of colour and immigrants, they often face racial discrimination.
The war on terrorism spurred governments, including Canada’s, to impose laws that limit the civil liberties of all their citizens. However, these laws have especially targeted people of colour and have meant an increase in discrimination and other human rights abuses against them. More and more people of colour who live and work in countries like Canada experience incidents of racial profiling by police and security agencies, arrests and detentions without warrants and due process. These laws have also heightened racial intolerance and have served to create more divisions among workers and to divert our attention away from the more exploitative and oppressive policies and actions that serve the interests of the corporate elite.
March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day, the Public Service Alliance of Canada reaffirms its commitment to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of racism, to fight discrimination in all its forms and to foster respect, equality and diversity in our workplaces and communities. The PSAC will build on its past achievements in these areas and will continue to strengthen union solidarity in the on-going fight against racism and for equality and social justice.
In acting on this commitment, the PSAC will be holding its fourth National Unity Conference for our racially visible and Aboriginal members on September 2005. This will be an opportunity for the union to take stock of its collective gains and to also identify the existing and emerging challenges to overcome, including globalization and the human rights consequences of anti-terrorism legislation. |
