Do we really help when we act on the impetus to help?

Following up on the previous post focused on the dangers of viewing human rights advocates as infallible and accepting their practices and approaches as applicable across contexts and always resulting in positive change, I decided to include a video here that the Introduction to Human Rights lab instructor presented to us in class this past quarter. I actually really enjoyed the video as well as the comments made by Slavoj Zizek and would recommend it to anyone interested in a different outlook toward the idea of helping others. 

 - Krasi

The Human Rights Advocate

With another quarter under my belt, I feel that I am a few steps closer to understanding the multitude of issues surrounding the human rights regime and its attempt to target violations around the world. A particular topic that caused controversy in one of my classes is the role of the human rights advocate and the potential for harm each advocate carry with him or her.

I believe that to think of the human rights movement as a panacea that in and of itself will resolve all the issues in the world causes more problems. Believing that it will work just as long as everyone accepts it promotes the misconception of homogeneity and aggravates the fight for human rights. As David Kennedy warns, responsibility should not be taken from the shoulders of activists and organizations that purport to promote and fight for human rights. The blame should not be on some evil people who refuse to accept the human rights regime. Refusing to acknowledge the potential issues with transferring the human rights regime and the extras it is accompanied by in new contexts harms not only the idea of human rights, but it also has negative effects on those the activists claim to assist. Advocates should be professionals but never at the level of complete arrogance and conviction that what the advocate knows will always, under any circumstances, work. Rather, the advocate needs to focus on a local issue and even though armed with universal ideas and tools, s/he must realize that those will work differently across different contexts.

Change comes and should come from within, not from the outside. Advocates should think globally with human rights as universal, but they should focus on acting locally. They should choose their battle and educate themselves on one particular area with human rights abuses, become immersed in the culture of that area, adapt to their way of life, understand truly where they come from and why they are in this condition. Most importantly, the advocate will be able to see the situation from these people’s point of view and determine, as one of them, what they need to improve their condition. An outsider will always be an outsider. The idea of outsiders as the ones who could help reinforces the establishment of certain groups labeled as victims, refugees, weak, abused, the powerless. These labels do not help with the distinction between those who need help and those who do not. Rather, they further exacerbate the problem by placing the so-called victims on a negative level and expecting them to elevate themselves to a positive one. After all, we cannot start with placing people as completely unable to defend themselves and then expect them to easily become fully independent, productive, and self-confident that they can provide for themselves and can fight for their own freedom.

Ultimately, human rights advocates are not superheroes with super powers and the ability to always bring about positive change. Rather, they are human beings with their own biases, beliefs, and downsides that if unaccounted for, could lead to more problems instead of solutions. Personally, I believe in everyday human beings as heroes who fight the injustices in the world. These are the true heroes, but they are heroes not because they have good intentions and always bring about positive outcomes, but because they acknowledge their humanity, and thus vulnerability and faultiness, and are prepared to face failures and learn from them.

On that note, I just recently saw a movie with a song in its soundtrack that truly made an impression on me. I, of course, could not help but post it here.

-      Krasi

International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day to all the ladies out there! Even though we know we need to be celebrated, and celebrate each other, every day, we can sure take a holiday:)

Let's remind ourselves that we don't just have to be pretty and nice (personally, I can't help but be both of those:):), but we can be strong, independent, creative, intelligent, and with a character. And just to prove that, here is one my favorite climbing videos. Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/19261066

 Krasi

Hope On The Horizon

Quick post folks; have you all heard about Apple partnering with the Fair Labor Association? Wahoo! A great step in the next horizon of ethical electronics!

Check it out: Apple joins labor monitor

Don't ever doubt the power of your words and beliefs folks!

- A

Needed Words During A Time Of Stress

I love how some good words, whether they be written or sung, can remind you of the lessons we often forget when 'life' takes over. Definitely feeling that this week but keeping my eye on the goal: increasing awareness and advocacy.

"We will take nothing for granted"

- A

The Right to Education

      Another discussion in the International Human Rights Law class made me ask an important question and add my own thoughts to it. And since you all are lucky, you get to read it!               

      What exactly does it mean to have the right to education or the right to work? I would think that the right to education entails the access to and opportunities for obtaining an education. However, it should not imply a successful completion of coursework (the right to a certain grade) or an actual degree. I am afraid that there is a misunderstanding in certain parts of the contemporary world between the idea of a right to the opportunity and access to good education and obtaining an actual degree. I do not want to make the statement that to be entitled to a right a person must perform some duties. However, if there is an access and an opportunity to obtain education, the person who does not complete the work necessary to obtain that education should not demand the degree. The right to education is the right to have education that is available, accessible, acceptable, and adaptable; it is not the right to obtain good grades by any means and receive a diploma. 

         

                - Krasi

MissRepresentation

Yes A., it is February already – the best month of them all! And not because it is the shortest month, but because some really awesome people were born exactly in February:)

Anyway, since I have been stuck inside my apartment since Thursday evening on account of the snow storm that hit Denver, I have had a lot of time not only to be productive but also to be searching for interesting happenings in the area. During one of my search attempts, I found out that one of the films the Denver Film Society is offering this month is MissRepresentation. What a coincidence since I had just added the film to my Netflix wishlist:) I might just go see it in the theatre, instead. And with women's month coming up, what a better way to celebrate who else but us, WOMEN!

 

For those of you interested in the topic of women empowerment and the dire need to fight for respect for women, here is the trailer:

-          Krasi