Cutting discrimination out of the Year of We

There are times when the line between right and wrong is difficult to see and even more difficult to stand up for. This is often the case with discrimination. Discrimination is the act of denying people opportunities or treating them unfairly because of their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability or any other personal trait. Freedom from discrimination is a human right as presented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and many other national and international laws.

Although it’s easy to say discrimination is wrong, not judging people based on their differences can be a bit more difficult in practice. We’re constantly bombarded by messages that tell us that difference is bad—whether it’s magazine ads convincing us that we must all look alike to fit in, or a website promoting hatred of other cultures.

Wanting to stand up against discrimination and say “Enough!”, two students from a Nova Scotia high-school decided they would take action. David Shepherd and Travis Price, students from Central King’s Rural High School, witnessed a younger boy being bullied by a group of students for wearing a pink shirt. Although David and Travis could have shrugged off the incident, they decided to step up to the plate: they purchased fifty pink shirts for students at their school to wear the following day. They also spread the word online about the “Pink Shirt Day”.  In an overwhelming show of solidarity, hundreds of students came to school the next day wearing pink.  [1]

The inspiring story continues to spread all over the world. Schools across North America are organizing their own “Pink Shirt Day”. Wearing a pink tie and shirt, the Premier of Nova Scotia declared the second Thursday of each September as “Stand Up Against Bullying Day.”  Even celebrities have taken notice: Ellen Degeneres and Mark Tewksbury have both publicly shown their support for the movement.

Make your Year of We discrimination free

The international attention that was given to “Pink Shirt Day” is proof of the ripple effect that one simple, courageous action can have. Speaking out and standing up against discrimination, bullying or judgment within our own communities is a terrific way to begin the Year of We.

Oppose discrimination of all forms by taking these steps:

1. Stand up for students who are being bullied. Step up and do your part to stop discrimination!
2. Learn about other cultures, countries and people different from yourself. Education and awareness raising is the best way to stop discrimination.
3. Support your global family by taking action with the Adopt a Village program, raising awareness and funds for indigenous people who live on the margins and suffer discrimination in their countries.      

Creating an environment in which people are free to be themselves without fear of discrimination is the first step towards breaking down barriers and truly moving towards the Me to We philosophy. Make your Year of We, discrimination free!

HELFUL HINTS FROM HELPFUL LINKS

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.