I applaud the United States' decision to boycott this conference.
Racism should not be fought. Racism is an ideology -- to fight it is, by definition, to attempt indoctrination and thought control.
Racial discrimination? Absolutely, drive it from the Earth with swords and flame. Economic inequality caused by past racism? Yeah, that's a good target for state action, too -- but that really aplies to any economic inequality. But racism itself? Nobody has the right to try and "fight" racism.
The subtext in that highlights document is terrifying. It's subtle, but I think there's a strong case for most of it.
"...a victim-oriented approach to problems of racism..." "...urges governments to provide effective remedies, recourse, redress and compensatory measures to victims..." That's about reparations, IMO, with a side dose of payback.
"Assigning the primary responsibility of combating racism [...] and related intolerance to States..." That's going to go great with the ideals of open forums and a free society.
"It calls on States to adopt policies and programmes to counter incitement to racial hatred in the media, including on the Internet. It calls for the collection of disaggregated data, as well as additional research, as the basis for targeted actions." I'm sure civil libertarians, free speech activists and the EFF will love that. Read the second sentence carefully, three or four times.
"...recognizes the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the right to an independent state." The subtext of this statement being in this document is that the reason it hasn't happened is because of Israeli and American racism, which I think is utter bullshit. I also think the idea that every ethnicity should get an independent state is bullshit as well -- I've never believed in self-determination, and I sincerely don't think that makes me a racist. Just the opposite -- if we're all supposed to be brothers, why draw more lines in the sand?
I'm not saying Palestine shouldn't be an independent state, but it's because of the way the Israelis are treating them -- not because of any "inalienable right" an ethnicity has to its own state.
EDIT: I'm not saying an independent Palestine is the answer, or that Palestinians are entitled. I don't have an answer. I didn't think as much about this last sentence as the rest of the post, and I didn't mean it to sound as accusatory as it does (that Israelis treat Palestinians badly enough that separate nations are necessary to fix it -- I'm not endorsing Israel's actions, either). I wish I hadn't posted that, but I did, and I won't delete it because it would be dishonest debate. Whatever. I'm tired.
"Specific recommendations are formulated to combat discrimination against Africans and persons of African descent, Asians and persons of Asian descent, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees, minorities, the Roma and other groups." Racism only flows in one direction. Everybody knows that, right? (This is just after the victim-oriented approach bit, too!)
"The DDPA recalls that the Holocaust must never be forgotten." Gee, I could have sworn there was more than one -- but I guess only the one that gets the big Hollywood movies matters. No mention of Armenians whatsoever, or of the fact that Africans are conducting genocide against other Africans right now. But blacks and Muslims are our designated victims here, so we can't really bring up Darfur...
"...the participation of a wide variety of actors, including civil society, non-governmental organizations and youth in the struggle against racism..." Innocuous enough in and of itself, but "struggle" is a very significant word in the writings of revolutionary Marxists, hardline socialists and communists. Its use here rings warning bells for me, as does the specific mention of "youth" and NGOs. It sounds like the UN is on the verge of giving the rubber stamp of approval to ANSWER and ACORN.
In utter seriousness, I think I'll sit down and cry if that happens. It's sick and tragic, and the UN shouldn't be associating with that kind of fanatical, belligerant and yes, racist, rabble.
