Holocaust Memorial Berlin

Undoing Human Wrongs

Set-up on Saturday, June 2, 2007, this site has been established to address human rights issues. I have always been disturbed, concerned, and saddened by humanity's preoccupation with fearing difference. Ethnic conflict, criminalizing sexuality, exclusionary processes, political and religious frameworks guaranteeing division; these are ever-present topics taking place in all parts of the world. On the other hand I have always been inspired by communities and states that have moved forward in a quest to guarantee universal rights for all, creating laws which include rather than exclude certain groups. I have also been inspired by individuals who challenge others to think about prejudice, racism- discrimination at all levels. My challenge to friends, family, and the bloggers reading this is to become aware of new places with human rights abuses, learn about inspirational people, send stories, and make people aware. You can send messages out through your own sites, in emails to friends, or to the comments section of my blog. If you have links, videos, literature, etc, that you would like added send me a note (email in my full profile below). Terry

Monday, December 8, 2008

Another Human Rights Day-What Does that Mean?

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) turns 60 on 10 December 2008. On Human Rights Day 2007, the United Nations Secretary General launched a year-long UN system-wide advocacy campaign to mark this important milestone. The initiative celebrates the Declaration and the promise that has made this document so enduring: “Dignity and justice for all of us”."
(http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Pages/60UDHRIntroduction.aspx)

So where do I see the world at this point? Last year at this time I would have been a cynic, but I believe that with the Obama election in the U.S., the world can begin thinking again, thinking about the grey areas that Bush denied people from exploring. The black and white of the "for us or against us" mentality created the enemy-ally, terror-peace, religious-secular dichotomies that shifted the thinking of many nations. With black and white politics came the polarization of states, the allowance of heads of state to marginalize people, and disregard for negotiation, compromise, and ultimately understanding. Obama brings critical thinking and discussion to both America and to the world. I really hope that this will create a trickle affect which will begin to unravel the "evil politics" of an ignorant "republican regime".

With that being said, my cynicism remains in the background; no matter the optimism created, there are still human rights violations committed on a daily basis in every part of the world. You just need to read my previous story taken from Somalia to see what still goes on. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is indeed a vision of where we should be, it will probably never happen, because the declaration is just a set of principles which are difficult to enforce in both legal and societal arenas. It is however still a vision we can strive towards!!!