The UN, in advance of the 2009 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), will be touring several key US cities to investigate reports of racism. UN representatives will convene in New York, Chicago, New Orleans, and San Juan. Are there any doubts what the conclusion of the report will be?
UN to Investigate Bigotry in the US
This is the second WCAR to held, the first being 2001. Many felt the first WCAR, also known as the Durban Review Conference, turned into a platform for racism and anti-Semitic attacks. In fact, in Sept. 2001, then Secretary of State Colin Powell withdrew the U.S. delegation from the conference amid strong differences over draft texts, arguing that a conference condoning "hateful language" that "singles out Israel for abuse" could not be successful.
Tad Stahnke, representative of the NGO Human Rights First, was also concerned about next years WCAR being a repeat of the first WCAR - "We must not allow another United Nations conference to become a platform for the anti-Semitic hatred that marred the 2001 conference," he said, adding that the tactics used in Durban had exacerbated the very prejudices the conference was supposed to confront..”
The term “Islamophobia” made its first prominent appearance during the 2001 WCAR. The 2001 WCAR was extremely hostile towards Israel, while ignoring countries such as Syria, Iran, and Iraq. As of this writing Israel and Canada have already stated that they will not attend, citing a hostile atmosphere. The United Kingdom and the United States are also considering withdrawing.
Given their track record, and many of their member’s anti-American sentiments, I question whether we should be supporting WCAR at all. Is this a valuable use of the UN's time? The questions before us are simple, but it is the answers that seem to get us in trouble:
UN to Investigate Bigotry in the US
This is the second WCAR to held, the first being 2001. Many felt the first WCAR, also known as the Durban Review Conference, turned into a platform for racism and anti-Semitic attacks. In fact, in Sept. 2001, then Secretary of State Colin Powell withdrew the U.S. delegation from the conference amid strong differences over draft texts, arguing that a conference condoning "hateful language" that "singles out Israel for abuse" could not be successful.
Tad Stahnke, representative of the NGO Human Rights First, was also concerned about next years WCAR being a repeat of the first WCAR - "We must not allow another United Nations conference to become a platform for the anti-Semitic hatred that marred the 2001 conference," he said, adding that the tactics used in Durban had exacerbated the very prejudices the conference was supposed to confront..”
The term “Islamophobia” made its first prominent appearance during the 2001 WCAR. The 2001 WCAR was extremely hostile towards Israel, while ignoring countries such as Syria, Iran, and Iraq. As of this writing Israel and Canada have already stated that they will not attend, citing a hostile atmosphere. The United Kingdom and the United States are also considering withdrawing.
Given their track record, and many of their member’s anti-American sentiments, I question whether we should be supporting WCAR at all. Is this a valuable use of the UN's time? The questions before us are simple, but it is the answers that seem to get us in trouble:
- Are American's racist?
- Is America anymore racist that other countries?
- Is the UN the right organization to address this matter?
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