Topic: Eliminating Racism
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: Brooke Michelson
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Nigeria position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
Racism is classically defined as any unfair, biased or derogatory words or actions by one race or ethnic group directed at another. Racism also includes the hatred, discrimination, or feeling that one ethnic group is superior to another.
In poorer and unstable nations in particular, many diverse ethnic groups live in close contact with each other, and poverty, water scarcity, corrupt governments and other social issues lead to increased tension between races of people, and at times different ethnic, religious, or cultural groups. Yet by far the most pernicious form of discrimination is racism.
Historically, the most destructive form of racism is that of discrimination by whites over blacks. This type of racism defines a human’s personality, character and worth, only by the color of their skin. This discrimination goes against human rights, and the basic morals of humans. The racism against blacks affected both the West and the East. Many believe the African slave trade, which extended over centuries, to be the most inhumane and diabolical act to ever be committed by humans against another group of mankind.
We, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, see the deep roots and scars of racism every day. The slave trade affected our people tangibly and intangibly, from social instability to the dehumanization of the African person. We are not looking to dwell on the past, but to use it to move forward. The main focus of history is to learn from mistakes made, and that is what we call on all nations to do. We, as a world, made it through the struggle of racism and slavery so that never again will humankind have to endure such an outright violation of human rights!
There are even more African struggles and victories when it comes to white-black racism. The most vicious recent form being Apartheid, where the South African state institutionalized and legalized a complex set of laws, policies, and repressive security apparatus to enable a white minority to dominate the black majority. After one of the worst periods in African history, that of the Apartheid era, with our South African brothers and sisters brave and heroic, and through a mainly peaceful struggle, they have attained a multiracial, democratic government. Today all of Africa has its independence and our political freedom from nations outside the continent.
We call upon all nations of Africa, and of the world to see the great leaps of humanity accomplished in such a short time. The president of the United States is a black man. Great Africans and Diaspora blacks alike have become prominent figures and leaders in world culture, arts, and politics. We also, however, call upon all nations to realize that the fight against racism is nowhere near finished. Racism, xenophobia, and discrimination exist prominently to this day. In our own nation, tensions increase between peoples, especially in the strained region of the Niger Delta.
We call upon all nations to recognize that leadership is essential. Leaders of nations, groups, or peoples must stand up to injustices and cruelty. Great men like Nelson Mandela dedicated their lives to fighting injustice, and inspired their people to do the same. The youth of our world is extremely impressionable, and the actions of their role models are crucial to eliminating racism and hatred.
We encourage all nations to realize that education is also a key, not only in literacy and human rights, but by putting young adults in a safe, accepting community, with an emphasis on learning you ensure self-reflection and analysis leading to tolerance and understanding.
We call upon all nations to see the immense progress made in the past, while still looking to a more tolerant future. We urge all nations to act to put an end to racism, a blatant violation of human rights.
Nigeria seeks to work with all nations to further this goal. We applaud the efforts of previous international actions, including UN anti-racism resolutions, the efforts of governments and NGO’s, such as FIFA’s “Say NO to Racism” campaign, yet we call on all nations to continue the fight against racism, and seek to further strengthen the efforts to combat racism.
