Racism As Violence Of Human Freedom

Currently it is 2019, the twenty first century, and racism still exists. It is much more controlled nowadays than it was back in the 1950’s, although it is still present. If Viola Desmond were alive today, she would be disappointed in the lack of progress made by this society. Just two weeks ago on September 18, photographs of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wearing of blackface have been leaked. This country, which is supposedly a country of equality, is being run by this individual. These pictures were taken in 2001, which was not too long ago, at an “Arabian Nights” event (Carlisle, Justin Trudeau Says He Didn’t Remember Blackface and Brownface Photos) . Many Canadians have been offended by these photographs as they believe Prime Minister Trudeau is making a mockery of one’s skin colour and being racist. Trudeau was 29 years old in these pictures. He was a fully grown adult and should have known better. If Viola Desmond was alive to see this, she would be enraged. The leader of a country for equality, being accused of being a racist. She would be disappointed to see the lack of sense coming from the leader of this country.

Furthermore, racism does not just exist in Canada, it still exists throughout the world. Recently on September 27, a Sikh Sheriff’s Deputy, named Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, was shot while conducting a regular traffic stop in Houston, Texas (Trovall, Houston Mourns Death Of Sandeep Dhaliwal, First Sikh Sheriff’s Deputy). The deputy wore a turban and followed the religion of Sikhism. He was a coloured police officer and got shot in the back for no apparent reason. Dhaliwal was known as a respectful figure and provided comfort to the citizens within his community. He became the first member of the Harris County Sheriff's Office to wear a turban while in uniform (Gagliano, Mourning Sandeep Dhaliwal, the pioneering Sikh sheriff's deputy killed in Texas). Him being shot is seen as a hate crime. Again, Desmond would be disheartened by the sound of these tragic events. It is frustrating how hard this nation has worked to put racism to an end, although it still exists. Everyone is below the law and should be treated equally, although there are still some individuals out there who do not agree.

Despite the fact that racism still exists, nowadays, racism is more controlled than it was back in Desmond’s time. On April 17, 1982, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth (Paradis, The Significance of the Charter in Canadian Legal History). The Charter states and guarantees one’s freedoms and rights as Canadian citizens. Canadians all fall under the charter equally, and nobody is above the law. Section 15.(1) of the charter which falls under Equality Rights states, “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability” (Trudeau, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms).This section states that everyone is equal and has the same rights, no matter their race or skin colour. Everyone gets the chance to be treated equally and to be seen as individuals as a whole, and not just by the colour of one’s skin. Desmond would be very proud that equality rights have finally been passed into law as these were the main rights she was fighting for. Overall, this nation has come a long way from where it began in its journey for equality. Viola Desmond is an icon who helped end racial segregation and is a very important figure in Candian history.