Defining Freedom

If we assume that revolution creates change, then it makes since that no revolutions come to an end, as our society and world never approach a Utopian equilibrium where no changes should be made.

For example, our definition of freedom is constantly changing and a global definition of this idea will probably not be adopted. Recently, this conversation was sparked by the Snowden leaks of the PRISM program and whether his actions are protected by the Constitution. With these changing definitions of freedom and ongoing talks about revolution, will we ever be able to adopt a global Bill of Rights? Or should each country adopt their own Bill?

A couple of the guaranteed rights we read about this week got me thinking about how we define freedom. I noticed that I reacted positively to some of the rights, and negatively to others. The two below are examples of ones that I reacted slightly negatively to. 

1)      In the South African Bill of Rights, recently adopted in 1996, the first right reads: “You cannot be discriminated against. But affirmative action and fair discrimination are allowed.” This right is similar to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States. These programs have recently been criticized for their contradiction, as seen in the South African Bill. Are people free to choose who they hire? Or can we develop a process that fairly discriminates?

2)      In the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Right section XIX, part b) reads “Each of the partners in a marriage is entitled to respect and consideration from the other.” While part c) reads “Every husband is obligated to maintain his wife and children according to his means.” From my perspective, this seems like a contradiction. One Right is telling me that the husband has the power, while another says that they should share familial power. Which one is it?

I I believe that this is where the cultural context comes into play. I have not traveled much in the Middle East and I was not in Southern Africa during apartheid. Without these experiences, how can I understand how they define freedom differently than how the US defines freedom?

I honestly cannot see a simple solution to the problem of defining freedom together. If we define freedom culturally, then a global Bill of Rights like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the UN is both pointless and impossible to enforce.

I do think that part of this problem is me. I do not know how I would define freedom if asked, so maybe defining freedom on an individual level is important to moving forward towards true freedom and guaranteed rights. How would you guys define freedom? Is it different from the definitions supported by the constitutional rights discussed in the four that we read this week? Which one do you relate to the most?

Human Rights Internship Reflections

This week is particularly special to me, as I spent the summer of 2012 working for a human rights focused NGO in Cape Town, South Africa. My practicum, built on this experience, focused on social media's role in local NGOs. I designed a blog and Facebook page for Africa Unite, the particular organization I worked with. I'm quite pleased they are still in active use today!

(https://africauniteblog.wordpress.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/UmojaWaAfrica)

As our discussion centers around the broad concept of human rights, I've taken a look back at many of the materials I worked with and helped to create during my summer in South Africa. Aside from recalling many memories, I've posted a couple of my reflections and quotes from my experience as a means of inspiration for discussion this week. They might seem scattered, but I hope they might be of interest to someone. I'd love to hear opinions on any/all of them.

1. "Human rights is distinctly difficult because it deals with our shared humanity as opposed to our secondary identities." - Dr. Amii Omara-Otunnum (UNESCO Chair of Comparative Human Rights)

2. Africa as a nation needing to take responsibility for many of its own actions as opposed to using imperialism as a scapegoat. - Idea discussed at a human rights conference that I found particularly interesting as it deals with the complex issues of victimization and blame.

3. Should schools include a curricular component on the values of human rights?

4. The African Charter of Human and People's Rights oversees human rights violations, but has no legislative power. Is this a problem? Everyone at the conference was unanimous that it was.

5. What is the ideal organizational structure for addressing large scale human rights violations?

Hopefully these spark some discussion, as I am sure we will touch on some of the concepts in class tomorrow.

Do we have the right to the environment?

The Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights (1981)
Article XV a) In their economic pursuits, all persons are entitled to the full benefits of nature and all its resources. These are blessings bestowed by God for the benefit of mankind as a whole.

Later on the same article talks about doing things for the good of the community.


South African Bill of Rights (2009)
Section 24: Everyone has the right
b. to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that

i. prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
ii. promote conservation; and
iii. secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.


Why do you think there's a discrepancy in the view of nature and the environment between the two documents? Is it the year they were written, the main economic interests of the people, or something else?

Hey everyone,

Dignity, is a right proclaimed by each of the declarations of rights given in this week's readings, and often one of the primary rights. This is an even more nuanced term than speech or privacy. So, I would like to know what do you think having the right to dignity means, and why would all these governments want to recognize it so prominently?

Is the US Meeting Human Rights Standards?

On this past Friday I had the opportunity to attend the COLEADS conference focusing on micro-action and social justice. During this conference I had two major thoughts regarding our class.

First, during lunch I had the opportunity to speak to a native Saudi Arabian about the difference between American and Saudi Arabian social justice stances. He talked to me about how in Saudi Arabia people are still very conservative when it comes to understanding other cultures. However, he said that the reasons for this exist on a much more complex level than in the United States. In Saudi Arabian, according to him, race and other basic identities don't matter when it comes to justice. Instead, justice gives privilege to people of certain religious and cultural systems. He said that a lot of things don't matter like they do in the US. It got me thinking: is the US still incredibly basic with the allowing of privilege? American privilege is awarded to the white, hetero-normative, able men. This is incredibly basic. At least in Saudi Arabian the prejudice goes back to historic and cultural implications that are ingrained in the land. Is the US that backwards?

Also, I found it beautiful how he told me how wonderful it is to see people of different genders, ethnic backgrounds, and ages holding hands, even if they are met with great rejection.

Secondly, the keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. David Stovall. He is a social justice activist based in Chicago that deals with implementing new education systems. His presentation shocked me. He opened us to the disastrous education system in Chicago. Over one summer, 49 schools were closed. This had led to a huge increase in violence in the city. He talks about it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ts-g71GfGQ. Furthermore, the JeffCo current change of curriculum outraged him because of the reversion the United States has currently seen. This law, plus other amendments in the state, are returning us to a reverted level. This isn't the revolution I hope to see. He also talked about how in Detroit people have had their water shut off because of increasing dept. We commonly hear of African struggles for water and the like, yet it is happening in our backyard. How can we be so oblivious? We are denying our own people their basic human rights yet we criticize other nations for doing the same. Who are we to judge? A quote he ended with: "Justice is being asked a question, not knowing the answer, and realizing that we have been manipulated."

Continuing with the slam poetry theme, here is a gem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDiwuOgqQvQ

I am starting to think that revolution depends on education...

TED Talk on the Importance of Education for Refugees

Hey guys,

I know I just posted a link to a TED Talk, but was browsing tonight and this one happened to be highlighted and fit extremely well with our topic of revolution. The talk focus's on the importance of education in refugee camps formed due to revolutions within countries. A large focus is on a young refugee from Syria, which was especially powerful after hearing Amal speak yesterday night.

Here's the link:

http://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_fleming_let_s_help_refugees_thrive_not_just_survive#t-198948

Spoken Word Poetry

Hey all!

In honor of the poetry slam this week here are some spoken word poets that have performed on TED talks. There's some really great stuff here. I really enjoyed listening to the poems Lincoln brought in when we first started this section, as I had never really listened to much spoken poetry. I wanted to add the aspect of sight as well, figuring it would bring even more reality to the poem. Being able to see their facial expressions and body gestures while they recite did just that. Hopefully you enjoy them as much as I did! If your time is limited, there are a few short ones, less than five minutes, included in the collection as well.

Cheers!

http://blog.ted.com/2012/12/07/10-spoken-word-performances-folded-like-lyrical-origami/