In the United States, today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It's important to commemorate a man who furthered nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement so successfully - protesting racial discrimination - but to have it end tragically. We must learn to be better people and to accept everyone for who they are because we all share a common existence: being human.
It brings me great sadness knowing that even with such prominent guidance horrific evils still exist. I read in the news a few days ago that loggers in Brazil burned an eight-year-old girl alive from one of the Amazon's last uncontacted tribes. Their motives were part of a campaign to force the indigenous population from its land ~ around 450 tribes people have been murdered in Brazil between 2003 and 2010, according to an indigenous missionary council. This is a very raw example of unethical, immoral and complete lack of civil and political rights ~ to protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations.
That is why this week I'm making a donation to the "International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)" ~ the oldest non-governmental federation for international human rights organizations worldwide (1922) that brings together 164 member organizations in over 100 countries. The FIDH places priorities for protecting human rights defenders, justice for victims, advocating respect for human rights in the context of globalization, defending women’s rights, and promoting respect for human rights in the context of counter-terrorism. In addition, their activities include supporting national NGOs and increasing their capacity, and raising awareness: informing, alerting, bearing witness.
It brings me great sadness knowing that even with such prominent guidance horrific evils still exist. I read in the news a few days ago that loggers in Brazil burned an eight-year-old girl alive from one of the Amazon's last uncontacted tribes. Their motives were part of a campaign to force the indigenous population from its land ~ around 450 tribes people have been murdered in Brazil between 2003 and 2010, according to an indigenous missionary council. This is a very raw example of unethical, immoral and complete lack of civil and political rights ~ to protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations.
That is why this week I'm making a donation to the "International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)" ~ the oldest non-governmental federation for international human rights organizations worldwide (1922) that brings together 164 member organizations in over 100 countries. The FIDH places priorities for protecting human rights defenders, justice for victims, advocating respect for human rights in the context of globalization, defending women’s rights, and promoting respect for human rights in the context of counter-terrorism. In addition, their activities include supporting national NGOs and increasing their capacity, and raising awareness: informing, alerting, bearing witness.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"
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