The big news right now in the United States is the Supreme Court's decision to uphold that marriage is not only for one man and one woman, but an option for any two consenting adults. Did you know that it was declared a universal human right by the United Nations over 65 years ago? For being such a first world country, we really are slow to recognize these rights. We claim to be "all about that freedom" but we struggle to achieve these thirty basic rights.
I understand that my citizenship of the United States is such a privilege, and that without this privilege, I wouldn't be able to say the things I'm about to say. Fortunately, I do not have fear of death or imprisonment for speaking out against my government (yet). Unfortunately, many don't recognize the power of their voices, so I hope that mine gets picked up and heard loudly and clearly.
So... let's just discuss some of those Human Rights.
Article 5 - No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
So, USA, what's up with this?
Article 9 - No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.
So, USA, what's up with this?
Article 13 - Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14 - Everyone hast he right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
So, USA, what's up with this?
These are just four of the thirty. We've got a lot of work to do, America. A LOT of work to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment