Commemorating the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

March 25 marked the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and March 21 was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  The horrific transatlantic trade of African people violated the fundamental human rights of millions of people, and the lasting impact of slavery continues to shape the experiences of people of African descent across the world.  These experiences include a persistent legacy of structural racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma.  At the State Department, we are working to combat systemic racism all around the world as a central part of our efforts to put human rights at the center of our foreign policy.  

On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.  The Executive Order acknowledged that, although the ideal of equal opportunity is the bedrock of American democracy, entrenched disparities in our laws, public policies, and institutions too often deny equal opportunity to individuals and communities.  The mandate directed the federal government to advance an ambitious, whole-of-government equity agenda that matches the scale of the challenges we face as a country.   

To that end, Secretary Blinken appointed Desirée Cormier Smith as the State Department’s first-ever Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice in June 2022.  In this role, the Special Representative, with the support of the Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), is tasked with exploring ways the United States can advance the human rights of members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities, including people of African descent, and combat systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia around the world.  

Since the appointment of the Special Representative, the State Department has been engaged in a series of tough but necessary and urgent conversations, both internally and externally.  

Just this month, in recognition of the two aforementioned UN international days, Special Representative Cormier Smith and her team partnered with Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr Center for Human Rights and UNESCO to host a two-day Symposium on Global Anti-Blackness and the Legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade at Harvard.  Her team also collaborated with Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma to bring Equal Justice Initiative Executive Director, Bryan Stevenson, to Washington for an engaging event with State Department employees.  

During the two-day symposium at Harvard, which took place March 21-22, Special Representative Cormier Smith highlighted the State Department’s commitment to listening to the voices of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities, advancing multilateral efforts with the United Nations and civil society to address global racial injustices, and addressing the ongoing and systemic barriers to equality both domestically and internationally.  

On March 22, the Special Representative virtually welcomed Bryan Stevenson’s visit to the State Department for an event titled Advancing Racial Equity and Social Justice: Lessons for American Diplomacy.

The transatlantic trade in African people was an international commercial enterprise that undeniably influenced U.S. foreign policy, creating inequities that tremendously impact today’s American workforce.  To foster a discussion on racism as a global challenge and encourage inclusive diplomacy, Bryan Stevenson shared his experience as a lawyer and social justice advocate.  Under his leadership, the Equal Justice Initiative continues to tirelessly advocate for poor, incarcerated, and underserved individuals, many of whom are disproportionately people of African descent.  

Having difficult conversations about racism in the United States and around the world is critical because it allows for a deeper understanding of how historical events, such as the transatlantic trade in African people, have contributed to systemic oppression and inequality that persist today.  By acknowledging this historical causal chain, we can better comprehend the roots of racialized political exclusion and economic disparities, leading to more informed discussions and concerted efforts to truly address these global issues.  As James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” 

The Office of the Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice is steadfastly committed to advancing the human rights of members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and Indigenous communities, including people of African descent, and building global partnerships to combat systemic racism, antisemitism, discrimination, and xenophobia globally.    

To learn more about Special Representative Cormier Smith’s mandate and work, follow @US_SRREJ on Twitter. 

About the Author: Hana Kim is an Intern at the Office of the Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice and a student at the George Washington University.