RESPECTIVES HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUITY SERVICES NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY 2009 This month’s Respectives commemorates Black History Month, a month which first originated in the United States through the efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson. In an effort to heighten awareness of Black history, Woodson proposed an observance to honour the accomplishments of Black Americans. Woodson is believed to have chosen February for this observance to honour the birthdays of the renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and former US President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). During the early 1970s in the U.S., the week became known as Black History Week and was expanded to Black History Month in 1976. In December 1995, the Parliament of Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine, M.P., who at the time was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons. There is little mention of the fact that slavery once existed in the territory that is now Canada, or that many of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were Black. Few Canadians are aware of the many sacrifices made in wartime by Black Canadian soldiers, as far back as the War of 1812. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, this is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, who, throughout history, have worked so hard toward the creation of a Canada that is truly diverse, inclusive and compassionate. It is also an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society, and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. During this important month, we cannot help but reflect on how the recent election and inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the first African-American President of the U.S.A. has already impacted world history. McMaster Launches a Virtual Museum of the Holocaust and the Resistance On January 21, McMaster University unveiled the acquisition of a significant collection relating to the Resistance movement, underground literature, information about concentration camps, anti-Semitism, and propaganda during the Second World War. Much of the material is comprised of nearly 2,000 letters from or to prisoners in Dachau, Buchenwald and Auschwitz, as well as in Gestapo prisons and prisoners-of-war (POW) camps. Much material has been collected by Hamilton philanthropists Madeleine and Monte Levy. The University also announced the launch of a virtual museum of the Holocaust and the Resistance to be housed as part of the library, which the Levys are funding.
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The importance of this material cannot be understated; its multinational nature is essential to capturing different perspectives on the War and the number of concentration camp letters is the largest of its kind in Canada. The Resistance Collection provides insight into the victims, the rescuers, the bystanders, and perpetrators and serves as a reminder that we must all speak up and take action against injustice, especially for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Striving for Peace in the Middle East Last month, the world watched the military conflict in the Gaza strip with despair. While the roots of this conflict go back for decades, it is important to reflect on the devastating effects of war and the impact it has on children and youth. In the midst of the hostilities, the United Nations body monitoring a key global treaty enshrining the rights of children voiced its deep concern at the impact of the conflict in Gaza and warned that the effects of recent events in the region on an entire generation of children would be severe. “The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is deeply concerned at the devastating effects that the current military engagement in Gaza is having on children,” the 18-member body said in a statement issued in Geneva, where it is currently in session. The continuous fighting and destruction of livelihoods and basic infrastructures, severely compromise enjoyment of human rights especially in relation to health, education and family life,” the Committee added. The human rights of children is an issue of paramount concern and transcends politics on either side of armed conflict. For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29524&Cr=Gaza&Cr1 FYI… Disabilities Awareness Day – February 2, 2009 The MSU Diversity Services will be hosting a variety of events for this day, including panel discussions, performances, film screenings, photography, artwork displays, and poetry readings. In the evening, there will be two performances along with free refreshments in Bridges Café. All are welcome! For more information, check www.msu.mcmaster.ca/diversity or contact Matthew DeClerico, Diversity Services Director, MSU, 905-525-9140, extension 26603. Valentine’s Day - February 14
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Valentine’s Day marks the biggest shopping day of the year when it comes to chocolate and flowers. By purchasing Fair Trade products this Valentine’s Day, we can help empower producers in developing countries as well as promote environmental sustainability. Fair Trade is an organization that advocates the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production of goods such as cocoa, flowers, handicrafts, coffee, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, and fresh fruit from developing countries. You don’t have to go far to purchase Fair Trade Certified products. They’re available at OPIRG McMaster, located in MUSC Room 229 or by telephone at 905-525-9140, Extensions 27289 or 26026. International Mother Language Day – February 21 International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural pluralism. Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. For more information, visit: http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/language/index.html.
UPCOMING HRES WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FACULTY The “3Rs” - Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect: Creating a Harassment-Free Environment Wednesday, March 25th, 2009, 10 am – noon McMaster University Student Centre, Room 220 To pre-register or for more information, hayelain@mcmaster.ca or Extension 27581. Religious Holidays – February Bahai 7 Mulk Christianity 25 Ash Wednesday Hinduism 23 Shivratri contact Elaine Hay at
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Judaism 9 Tu B’Shevat Wicca 2 Imbolg
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