Blog Action Day October 16, 2013 Topic: Human Rights

Article title: A Nation of Immigrants

Picture found at edsitment.neh.gov

“We the people, in order to form a more perfect union,” acknowledge that most of us and/or our ancestors were not born in this country. Although it seems proper to say “American made,” have we really thought about our family lineage? Were we really “Made in America?” We, decedents of Africans, Britain people, Russians, and other cultures established outside of the United States of America; have to take a stance on who we are and where we are from. Though many of us may not be aware of our ancestral ties, we must still know that in “1492, when Columbus sailed the ocean blue,” many of our cultures found here today were not among those found in the area now known as the United States of America. With this being said, would this not make us a nation of immigrants? A nation of somewhat similar cultures who journeyed to the United States of America through various methods, to reap the benefits of what The Statue of Liberty exudes; “hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life in America.”

In being a nation of immigrants and having a statue that represents immigrants are welcome to the country, should not all those who want to live in this wonderful country be able to partake in some of the same human rights as those living here? This brings me to the topic of immigration reform and the rights of individuals under “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Article 13 of this declaration states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.” This means that everyone has a right to migrate to another country if he or she chooses to do so. In researching various information, I came across S. 744. The bill is:

A broad-based proposal for reforming the U.S. immigration system written by a bipartisan group of eight Senators known as the “Gang of Eight.” Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) drafted S. 744 in the spring of 2013.

The bill is heavily supported by the “American Civil Liberties Union.” This organization was established 90 years ago with the duty of “protecting rights of all people, whether or not they were born in the U.S.” Some of the points within the bill are regarding: “Increasing the number of border protection officers at the border, reporting all uses of force used by personnel, and coordinating federal program and response to immigrant integration. Those are not all of the key issues at hand; however they are discussed within the bill. 

I challenge you to use this day (Blog Action Day) to learn and blog about something dealing with Human Right issues. You will be glad you did. 

Blog Action Day October 16, 2013 #BAD13

People and Our Differences

Have you ever been at the park with a friend and you happen to see someone who looks different from you?  Maybe you are at the grocery store and see someone who walks a little different?  What about having a manager’s meeting and another manager thinks differently than the other managers?

If you have answered yes to any of the statements above than welcome to this wonderful world we call society.  A world where people are made up of different shapes, sizes, colors, abilities, and thought processes.  A group of people that encompasses different cultures, religions, preferences, and upbringings.  Who would have imagined such a group of extraordinary people?

We are a people of many differences, yet many similarities as well.  Have you ever seen the dedicated African-America mother who works hard to make sure her four girls are raised the right way?  What about the Caucasian father who helps his son learn how to play baseball?  Don’t forget about the dedicated Asian boy who learns how to play basketball well enough to make it to the NBA.

As a society of many differences, we also have to respect our similarities and the things we have in common.  We must put aside our strife toward other races, sexes, religions, cultures, and other protected classes, in an attempt to gain what is naturally ours; peace.  

When I think about peace and coming together despite our differences, I reflect on the Statue of Liberty.  The statue has a very symbolic meaning that I am pretty sure that most of us can identify with, being that we are a nation of immigrants.  It was gifted to the United States by France in 1886.  The statue:

Stands for an idea. The Statue of Liberty stands in Upper New York Bay, a universal symbol of freedom. Originally conceived as an emblem of the friendship between the people of France and the U.S. and a sign of their mutual desire for liberty, over the years the Statue has become much more. It is the Mother of Exiles, greeting millions of immigrants and embodying hope and opportunity for those seeking a better life in America. It stirs the desire for freedom in people all over the world. It represents the United States itself.

When dealing with other people that are different, remember the easy part is judging immediately.  The hard part is understanding the unknown.  Are you tired of taking the easy way out of life?  Be more than the judge and jury socialites that we come into contact with or have become today!