Poetry vs. racism on March 21

On March 21 we celebrate poetry and remind ourselves that racism still exists.

Transcript

The 21st of March used to be celebrated as the beginning of Spring. This year Vernal Equinox was on the 20th of March, but the 21st is an important day for the United Nations. March 21st is both World Poetry Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

On the same day the world celebrates poetry and recognizes the need to struggle against racial discrimination. That makes sense.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, says:

Racist practices hurt their victims, but they also limit the promise of entire societies where they are tolerated. They prevent individuals from realizing their potential and stop them from contributing fully to national progress.

The Secretary-General's words are also true for the general development of culture and human creativity. If we wish to celebrate life in poetry and other creative expression, we need to protect the rights of all people. We need to affirm the equal rights of all people everywhere, including the right to express oneself freely.

Perhaps poetry has a role in ridding the world of racial discrimination. As people struggle against the vicious evil of racism, poetry and other creative arts remind us of the beautiful diversity of human experience and expression.