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Saturday, December 10th is Human Rights Day! It’s not a federal holiday and may go unnoticed, but it is of paramount importance for the human race.
What is Human Rights Day?
Human Rights Day was created on December 10, 1948 to remember the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was created almost immediately after the second World War to represent that human rights should be protected, globally.
In 1950, the United Nations General Assembly invited all United States, and other organizations who were interested, to observe December 10th as Human Rights Day.
We know what you’re thinking…but how do we acknowledge and celebrate Human Rights Day? Celebrating Human Rights Day is all about recognizing your, and other’s rights, and taking a stand to protect those rights.
How can I take a stand?
Taking a stand can be from anything to individually defending someone verbally in the event of conflict, or marching in protest to take a stand against the treatment of an entire group of individuals. Here are several ways the United Nations website recommends taking a stand:
- Get informed
Before speaking out against anything, it’s important to get your facts right in order in an attempt to not offend anyone, and to make sure what you’re defending is what you think you’re defending. The number one way to understand human rights? Read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Speak out
This falls under the “if you see something, say something” general life rule. If you see or hear of someone being bullied, or treated differently for whatever reason, take a stand for that person. If you’re not directly near someone who’s being treated in a poor manner, use social media or a large platform to take a stand. Using social media to speak out is also a great resource to bring people together to speak out with a united voice.
- Stand with others
Standing can mean literally, or figuratively. If there’s a group of individuals standing in a peaceful protest against something you, and they, care about, stand with them. You can also take a stand with the group by donating to their cause, or even volunteer with the organization to help protect them.
- Call on leaders
Leaders have email, phone numbers, offices, and social media platforms for a reason: to connect with people. If a leader in your work place, city, state or even your country is taking place in actions that aren’t human rights friendly, reach out and speak up. Afraid you won’t get a response, or the message will be left unseen? Keep trying. Leaders are meant to lead, while still adhering to the rights of all humans. Reach out to the leaders you think aren’t adhering to human rights friendly laws. One email, one phone call, and even one vote can change anything.
- Everyday
A large part of ensuring human rights are honored, is to incorporate learning about human rights in everyday life. Whether that starts with teaching your children, or younger siblings and family members about human rights and equal treatment of everyone, or it can extend to having a weekly meeting about human rights in the workplace. Keep human rights on everyone’s mind as often as you can. The more we incorporate honoring, and discussing human rights on a day to day basis, the more likely everyone, and yes we mean everyone, will honor the right of others.
Use this day to stand up for what you believe in: rights of all humans. Happy Human Rights Day.
