Are “You and Yours” At Risk?
Seventy years ago, a movement started of equality and fairness to all human beings. It was brought about because human beings were being killed, tortured and denied the basics to survive. Discrimination took place based on many things; family status, the personal power held, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender and age. Something had to change.
Then the Countries of the world got together to create a civilised planet. They started a movement of bringing about the recognition of 30 Human Rights. This was done so that each man, women and child could live in dignity, and strive to reach their personal goals in a fair and just society.
During the seventy years that have gone by we have made progress in gaining human rights. We see improvements in child rights, minority rights and women rights. This is a great achievement.
However, the strife between nations, between religions and sects, and the growth of extremism has done much harm. It has reduced the bringing of dignity and survival of individual lives. The tide is turning in our world today. We are now once again at risk of losing our rights.
While we blame the oppressors and extremists for our world today, let us remember a key point – We are only as educated as we stand up for what is just and right and for the protection of the vulnerable and those at risk.
Our inaction in the face of unjust atrocities may appear to mean nothing to us, but it has dire consequences on the future. The oppressors and extremists only gained power in one situation. It is when we remained inactive and allowed the rights of others to be violated. Be aware that our own rights are now threatened. Our children and grandchildren will be next.
Even though my words will be read by few, and even fewer will get to the end of this short writing, I urge you to get into action.
Your and my life must have some meaning.
After we are gone, why shouldn’t we leave a legacy of true humanity behind for others to follow?
There are a million ways to help.
Chose your own way to help, but in the face of rights denied to children, do not accept becoming a spectator.
If you wish to help to change the future of our youth and street-kids, then they are waiting for you to extend your helping hand. We are educating 50 street-kids who depend on others for funding.
Knock on our door and allow yourself to be be loved in this life and in the times to come.
Eleanor Roosevelt said some 70 years ago:
“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. […] 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.”
With warm regards,
Fareeda Abbasi
Education Consultant