US demands silence on Palestine, slavery, Islamophobia at racism conference
Friday, April 17, 2009
By: Radhika Miller
In brief
The Obama administration is so far refusing to attend the U.N. World Conference against Racism in Geneva, which will convene April 20-24.
The administration pressured the conference to eliminate all discussion of the occupation of Palestine, Islamophobia and reparations for slavery. Even though these issues are central to the struggle against racism, the U.N. summit acquiesced to U.S. pre-conditions for attending the conference.
The administration has taken issue with all reference to a prior U.N. document that condemned the racist exclusion, oppression and massacre of Palestinians, and calls for an end to religious defamation. The Obama administration refuses to condemn Muslim-bashing and anti-Arab sentiment and objects to the U.N.’s recognition of Palestinian’s right to return to their homeland.
Despite lauding a new era of race relations, President Obama, the leader of the capitalist empire, will not condemn racism because racism is central to U.S. dominance. Racism is the main weapon in the ruling class’s arsenal. They use it to divide, conquer and oppress the masses.
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