What can I do to stop racism & discrimination?

In the community:
Take part in activities marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Join organizations dealing with issues of racism and human rights.
Suggest that your local newspaper publish a special section on the racial and cultural diversity of your community.
Create a speakers bureau of persons willing to speak about racism and human rights.
Explore ways in which community organizations can work together to promote positive race relations.
Suggest that your community develop a policy statement against all forms of racial iscrimination.
In schools:
Object to racist jokes and insults.
Organize an inter-cultural music or film festival.
Invite guests to speak on racism and human rights.
Organize a poster or essay contest.
Show films on prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination and racism.
Examine the contents of television, film, radio and newspapers for stereotypes. Identify and discuss the stereotypes.
Find out about human rights organizations in your area and what role they play.
Suggest that your class or school develop a policy statement against all forms of racial discrimination.

In the workplace:
Object to racist jokes and insults.
Encourage dialogue on racism and human rights.
Organize a lunch time film series.
Encourage human rights awareness at union meetings through guest speakers, films or other presentations.
Examine hiring practices to ensure equality of opportunity for all.
Develop clear policy statements against all forms of racial discrimination and define ways to make them work through cooperation and consensus.

What is meant by discrimination?
Discrimination is anything that has the effect, intentional or not, of limiting the opportunities of certain individuals or groups because of personal characteristics such as race or colour. Unlike prejudice, discrimination is an effect or result, not an attitude. Discrimination sometimes results from prejudice or stereotypes. However, it also comes from the failure, intentional or not, to avoid practices that disadvantage certain groups more than others, when the disadvantage could be eliminated without causing undue hardship.

Does the Human Rights Act prohibit racial discrimination?
Discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin, place of origin, ancestry, as well as several other grounds, is prohibited in the following activities (assuming the employer, service provider, association or owner falls under provincial jurisdiction):
all aspects of employment;
leasing and sale of premises;
accommodation, services or facilities available to the public;
membership in labour unions and professional, business or trade associations;