On March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination takes place worldwide. Since 1966, this day has been commemorated the events in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960. On that day, police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration against apartheid laws. Sixty-nine people were killed as a result of brutal, racially motivated police violence. The day serves as a global moment to reflect on racism and its consequences, and as a call for governments, organizations, and individuals to actively challenge racism, discrimination, and intolerance.
The International Day Against Racism and Discrimination is therefore not only a moment of remembrance, but also a moment of reflection. Racism is not a problem of the past. Today, people still continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and inequality based on their cultural background, skin color, or religion. In Europe and in the Netherlands as well, these experiences remain part of everyday life for many people. Remembering the past is important, but remembrance alone is not enough. This day also reminds us that addressing racism requires continued attention and action.
At a time when people are deported on unpredictable grounds, when unprompted fear and hostility toward people with migration backgrounds are growing, and when societal polarization appears to be increasing, it is more important than ever not only to recognize racism, but also to stand up against it together. Everyone can make a difference by speaking up and supporting one another when racism occurs.
Racism operates on a systemic level, but it also appears in many everyday interactions: racist “jokes,” stereotyping, microaggressions, exclusion, or people being treated differently because of their background or skin color. Because these situations can sometimes appear subtle or are considered “harmless” by others, they are not always acknowledged or addressed. Yet these everyday moments contribute to an environment in which racism can continue to persist.
These everyday moments show that racism does not only appear in large, visible incidents. Often, it shows up in small situations that are easily dismissed or left unspoken. But for the people who experience them, these are rarely isolated incidents. Instead, they are often part of a broader pattern of inequality and exclusion that can repeat itself over time.
Many people witness these kinds of situations but are unsure about what to do or how to respond. There can be many reasons for this: people may fear escalating the situation, doubt whether their response would be appropriate, or feel uncertain about how to support someone without making things worse. As a result, racism sometimes remains unchallenged, even when others notice it happening. This is why it is important that we, as a society, continue to reflect on how we can support one another when discrimination occurs.
At Fairspace, we believe that bystanders can play an important role in challenging racism. When people have the right tools, it becomes easier to intervene in ways that are safe and effective for everyone involved. Bystander intervention can mean interrupting a situation, offering support to the person who is being targeted, or asking others for help.
To support people in doing this, Fairspace offers the Together Against Racism training. In this training, participants explore different forms of racism and learn practical ways to respond when they witness racism in their environment.
The International Day Against Racism and Discrimination reminds us that addressing racism is a shared responsibility. By paying attention to what happens around us and supporting one another when racism occurs, we can work together toward a society in which everyone feels safe and respected.
Hannah Lakke is a Master’s student in Gender Studies at Utrecht University and is doing an Internship at Fairspace as a Training Coordinator. With a background in Sociology and Youth, Society & Policy, she is interested in gender, power, and social inequality, particularly in relation to sexual boundary violations and bystander intervention.
