Day 4 - 344 -- Maintaining Dignity

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights -- a documents developed to outline that all people are born free and equal. Oppression and power imbalances demonstrate the insecurities and inequities in our world. From school yard bullies to xenophobes to dictators we watch and experience rights being ignored. This declaration noted what those rights entail. Governing bodies have the obligation to ensure rights are being upheld in a way that maintains dignity and the world court can hear cases put before it where rights have been ignored. This happens everywhere in the world to some extent. It isn't always far away in some developing nation, but occurs in industrialized nations daily -- inadequate standards of living to ensure health, food  and housing, lack of freedom from bullying at school or in the workplace, lack of equal pay for equal work. The world has come a long way, but still has further work to do to ensure the rights of all people are upheld. 

A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, who was instrumental in development of the Declaration, clearly notes the duties that go along with such rights. 

"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." 

When thinking about Human Rights Day today, two songs came to mind. Even after much thought, I couldn't get the selection down to just one -- so another two-for day. The first was recorded by a young artist several decades ago. The lyrics cover the many thoughts of peace and love that we hear at this time of year (though they are just as relevant all year long). The version shared here is from a more recent recording by the same artist. The second selection was recorded in 2014 as a follow up to the original version recorded in 1984. It, too, speaks to the need to be aware of what is going on around us and where we might be able to assist. Enjoy! 

Someday at Christmas -- Stevie Wonder ft. Andra Day 

Do They Know it's Christmas -- Live Aid 30 (fundraiser for Ebola)