Dalton Ehry, Shelby Meyer, Shalla Shaharyar, Hadija Drummond and Nicole Nemo participate in Thursday's "Hands Against Racism" project at Medicine Hat College.NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
Medicine Hat College honoured the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Thursday by having students trace their hands and write messages of love and support on the cutout.
The paper “Hands Against Racism” were posted on a wall near the school’s cafeteria.
The International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1960 after the Sharpeville massacre in apartheid South Africa.
“We wanted to do something to say that we, as Medicine Hat College, don’t tolerate any type of racial discrimination,” said Hadija Drummond, MHC’s director of international education and diversity.
Racial discrimination hasn’t been a major issue at MHC, but Drummond says it’s important to remain vigilant, particularly in a time of growing intolerance, as evidenced by the recent anti-Muslim terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand.
“(Racism) exists everywhere,” she said. “It exists in the community, it exists in the province and in the country. We know that it’s everywhere.
“Whenever there’s difference, there’s going to be unease with that difference, but we want to make sure everyone feels welcome and that any kind of expression or racial discrimination isn’t going to be tolerated.”
The goal of “Hands Against Racism” is to send a message that intolerance isn’t tolerated at MHC, Drummond says.
“We know that there are people who hate in society, but it’s a small minority. When that minority feels that they’re justified and there’s a lot of support for their views, then that tends to elevate those feelings,” she said.
“We have to recognize that that minority exists and we have to constantly be sending those messages against hate.”
About 300 international students from 30 countries are represented at MHC.
In a news release from the college, an international student from South Korea says their experience in Canada has been one of tolerance and kindness.
“The students of MHC are always kind and try to help me when I was in difficult,” said Taekyung Kang. “Although I’m not good at English, they listen carefully to what I’m saying.”
