A grain of rice, a golden collar, and a three-metre-long heavy wooden brace to trap ankles and necks shape part of a unique, interactive exhibit on slavery that just opened at UN Headquarters.
As the beauty director of digital media giant BuzzFeed, Essence Gant makes sure its content is inclusive and sensitive – helping to balance representation and reflect diversity.
Growing up in the southern US state of Georgia, she recalls that she was surrounded by people who were “always validating her as a black woman”.
It was only later, she said in an interview with UN News, that she realized how under-represented people of colour were in the media.
Students from around the world joined United Nations and Government officials in New York on Friday to celebrate the contributions made by the people of African descent, beginning from the time they were taken from their countries and forced into generations of servitude.
Commemorating the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the United Nations Secretary-General on Monday said that while the abhorrent practice was abolished in the 1800s, it continues to have profound social, cultural and political impacts today.
There needs to be a “massive global coalition of conscience” to enshrine the values of racial equality and human rights for all, declared civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, speaking at the United Nations.
Honouring those who suffered the brutalities of the Transatlantic slave trade, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the International Day set aside to remember this “epically shameful” chapter of human history is an opportunity raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
Welcome to the first episode of our revised ‘UN and Africa’ podcast.
We talk to Gloria Browne-Marshall, a constitutional law professor and author, about the status of people of African descent across the world.
Music Credit: Studio Mali - Youssou N'Dour's Wake UP - "It's Africa Calling" Remix by IntraHealth International
This year’s commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade will have particular significance at United Nations Headquarters in New York, where six years of work to establish a permanent memorial to honour the victims pays off with the unveiling today.
A permanent memorial to honour the victims of one of the most horrific tragedies of modern history will be revealed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday, when the world marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.