We would all like to compartmentalize our lives into separate chapters. One for work, another for art, another for family etc... Somehow in this process, we draw curtains around intransigent realities that refuse to blend in normalcy. If we were to give these realities the weight that they deserve on a human level, the rest of the our lives may not function as well.
For instance, we all know that our governments turn a blind eye to torture. That unjust wars are being waged, that innocent people are dying every day in Gaza, Jerusalem, Baghdad and East L.A. That children in Africa are living a reality that non of us want to even imagine. If we were to allow these horrible deeds to take their just value in our conscience, our everyday lives would not be "normal". So we draw the curtain. We watch the news, maybe discuss it a bit, but then life gets in the way and we move on.
That is not necessarily a bad thing. We need normalcy to function. But from time to time we need to pause and take stock of humanity. Neda sent me this clip tonight. Would you please view it and spend a minute thinking it through? Maybe, just maybe we can do something more.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights-anniversary
5 comments:
Wonderful video. I have Amnesty on automatic monthly draft. Thank you for this reminder. As Amnesty used to send to prisoners, "You are not forgotten."
maybe we should do a Human Rights blog day? What do you think?
I would be very interested. I'm out for March, though. It's a great idea!
Yes, absolutely, let's create a commemoration day, I'm in.
Me too. I wish I could send a rope of hope to each of the unjustly persecuted in the world. Of course, I signed the pledge.
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