Photo Courtesy of UN.org
It seems, in the modern age that every day is “something day.” To the point where it’s becoming difficult to keep track. Today, however, is a day to follow.
The 10th of December marks International Human Rights Day.
A day to celebrate the wins. From the last few days with the rejection of the DAPL easement, all the way back to 1948 and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We must not, however, forget the losses. Remember The Rwandan Genocide. Think of what is happening in West Papua right now. It’s is not a day for complacency. As Amnesty UK will tell you, today is a day for action.
This #HumanRightsDay, take a few minutes to make a big difference: send Annie a message of hope at https://t.co/k5YP1zbgCI pic.twitter.com/ywE8xxvp2c
— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) 10 December 2016
Beyond the – very valid – celebration of the victories of human rights activism, there remains the very real need to act. We are not finished there is still countless atrocities occurring all across the globe. We will always have to work harder. Or as Jeremy Corbyn put it today:
I believe there always will be. No matter who you are, you have the power to do something.
Human Rights are one of the most fundamentally intersectional issues in the world. Meaning that they span across a range of issues.
If you have a particular passion for stopping police brutality, remind people that black rights are still human rights. If you’re obsessed with feminism remind Peter Tatchell that women’s rights are, in fact, human rights. If you’re a proud vegan and animal rights activist, perhaps you’d like to remind people that animals aren’t so different from us and that maybe we should support person’s rights.
Whatever issues social issue that you’re most passionate about, it’s probably a human rights issue.
So… DO SOMETHING! Here are something for you to do from Dosomething.org
And, of course, the list goes on. Post a comment with one (or more) of your own ideas.
P.S. Good luck in your efforts.
