"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
Eleanor Roosevelt
With each human right, who will give them meaning? Who will see to it that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion? Who will arrange it so that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile? Who will ensure that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives? Who will attend to everyone having the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment?
Though it can seem large, our human rights begin with us, all of us, as Eleanor Roosevelt said. Societies undergo constant change, development, evolution. Our history books show us this and history ultimately shows the courage of many in the story of human rights.
Just thinking of your rights, you can see the courage of human rights. If you have stood up to a bully, dealt with an unfair job, voted or numerous other meaningful acts, you were defending your human rights.
That really is the courage of human rights. And that's all it takes.
Eleanor Roosevelt
With each human right, who will give them meaning? Who will see to it that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion? Who will arrange it so that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile? Who will ensure that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives? Who will attend to everyone having the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment?
Though it can seem large, our human rights begin with us, all of us, as Eleanor Roosevelt said. Societies undergo constant change, development, evolution. Our history books show us this and history ultimately shows the courage of many in the story of human rights.
Just thinking of your rights, you can see the courage of human rights. If you have stood up to a bully, dealt with an unfair job, voted or numerous other meaningful acts, you were defending your human rights.
That really is the courage of human rights. And that's all it takes.
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