Tag: equality

We resolve to do more

Posted on by kathiemm

Monday, October 24, 2011, was United Nations Day.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Image used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

“UN Day is a day on which we resolve to do more. More to protect those caught up in armed conflict, to fight climate change and avert nuclear catastrophe; more to expand opportunities for women and girls, and to combat injustice and impunity; more to meet the Millennium Development Goals.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message on UN Day, 24 October 2011

The Millennium Development Goals established in 2010 with an achievement goal of 2015, are: 1) end poverty and hunger; 2) achieve universal education; 3) promote gender equality and empower woman; 4) reduce child mortality; 5) improve maternal health; 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; 7) ensure environmental sustainability, and 8) develop a global partnership for economic development.

None of these goals have been achieved yet in the United States. In what ways has involvement in wars interfered with achieving those basic goals in this relatively rich nation? In what ways is it in the interest of Americans to work towards these goals, not just at home but around the world?

As always, the question is, how can one individual make a difference? In an earlier post, Alan O’Hare discussed the importance of sharing stories.  In response to the fact that the world population is about to reach 7 billion, the UN Population Fund has undertaken an initiative called 7 Billion Actions, gathering the stories of individuals and organizations around the world striving to make a positive difference in the world.

And for a wonderful fictional film on one individual fighting to make a difference, watch this excerpt from the film “The Girl in the Café”:

 

Independence and freedom movements

Posted on by kathiemm
Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull
Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull. Image in public domain.

In the American Declaration of Independence, dated July 4, 1776, one can find the famous words:  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

To pursue their unalienable rights, the revolutionaries among the American colonists successfully took up arms against what they saw as unjust authority and ultimately won independence for the colonies.

Historically, the Greed Elite in this country, the Robber Barons and their successors, have scoffed at the idea that all men are created equal, and have helped dictators around the world resist freedom movements. Greed has trumped human rights for much of history, but that does not mean that progressive change is impossible.

Based on our belief in the values within the Declaration of Independence, and the responsibilities that come with liberty and leadership, we have three recommendations:

  • Seek ways to insure that people in other nations gain the rights enjoyed by Americans, who were born into a country where freedom was won centuries ago
  • Remember that many successful freedom movements were won through non-violent resistance and negotiation
  • Strive to reverse the failures of many of our leaders at all levels of society to live up to the principles in the Declaration of Independence.

Efforts to support principles of equality and human rights can be taken in the home, the community, the state, the nation, and internationally.

What have you done to support these principles—for example, through signing petitions, writing letters, marching peacefully? Please send us your stories.

Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology