Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day, celebrated around the globe on December 10th, commemorates the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established to promote a common standard for all people regardless of race, skin color, religion, gender, language, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

Beyond commemorating a momentous day in the history of the world, Human Rights Day is observed to reaffirm fundamental human rights and remember all those who suffered in fighting for the declaration.

2020: Recover Better. Stand Up for Human Rights.

According to the UN, this year’s theme for Human Rights Day focuses on the need for a stronger push towards human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic and after it has passed. They aim to “create equal opportunities for all, apply human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination.”

From individuals to governments and grass-roots communities to the private sector we’re all responsible for building a post-COVID world that is healthier for future and current generations.

There has been a lot happening this year. Although the pandemic has accelerated issues, it has also started to heal others. In 2020, we’ve seen the general public grasp a greater understanding of exclusion and isolation; racial inequalities have been brought to light in a way they haven’t been for many decades; we’ve seen a heightened awareness of the plights of caregivers, and we’ve also seen a revived appreciation for picture puzzles.

There is still a huge mountain to climb to a place where all people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. And, many more things have gone awry this year that have led to further inequality. But to flip the script, we believe that now we have the opportunity to right some long-time wrongs. We have a chance to head down a path of inclusion and understanding. It has yet to be seen if this will be the case, but we’re hoping that empathy will prevail overall.

We’re All in This Together

While we have seen some of the worst of human behavior over 2020, we’ve also seen some of the best–and the latter deserves more attention than the former. The pandemic has thrown not only the US into turmoil, but the entire world. It has also led to some of the most beautiful displays of the best of human nature. In some ways, parts of the world have become more connected, one neighbor and one neighborhood at a time. 

In Italy, people have been singing and dancing on their balconies to cheer each other up. People all across the UK stood on their doorsteps to applaud NHS healthcare workers. In America, kids are collecting food for the less fortunate, others are cooking for their elderly and at-risk neighbors and their caregivers, and people have even been painting their fences to help keep spirits up. 

In India, police officers have been visiting seniors on their birthdays. Police officers who sang for a senior citizen named Kuran Puri said to him “There is no need to feel lonely because we are your family too.” This brought tears to his eyes as he cut the birthday cake they brought him. He told them “you’ve made my day.” 

Those are just some of the amazing acts of kindness that people are capable of. The sign below was created by an Italian household, and it says “Come on Guys, Everything is Going to Be Alright.” And they’re right–everything is going to be alright. We have and will suffer, but it’s important that we rebuild together. It’s important to remember to reach out to other people; to make a more understanding world that we can all be proud of. And above all, it’s important to treat each other with love and respect.