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For the Record 12/4/08

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Staff

Self-evident

Jimmy Carter has often remarked that “America did not invent human rights, human rights invented America.”

That shouldn’t be all that difficult to remember, but sometimes amid all the bunting and flag-waving we forget just what drove this country’s imperfect collection of founders to attempt to form that more perfect union.

At their core, human rights are truths. Truths that are succinct, beautiful and, in too many places and for too many people, illusive.

This week, North Carolinians are celebrating two milestones in the development of human rights — the anniversary of North Carolina’s ratification of the Bill of Rights and the adoption 60 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We trust you’ve had an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Bill of Rights. Not so familiar to most people is the Universal Declaration, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948.

Drafted by Canadian John Peters Humphrey and a host of representatives of other lands, as well as Eleanor Roosevelt, the 30 articles contained in the document have that loud ring power truths tend to project:
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. (Article 6)
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. (Article 9)
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (Article 20)
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (Article 21)
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (Article 27)

Reading through the declaration, it is hard not to reflect on how un-universally these rights are distributed throughout the planet and how much backsliding there’s been even here in the shining city on a hill.

This week, there are dozens of commemorations, speeches and performances to remind us of the declaration’s milestone and our obligations toward one another to preserve and protect these rights (see schedule on page 3). Among the events is a special performance by Scene and Heard Interactive Theater at the Hargraves Center on Saturday. This youth performance looks like a great way to introduce young people to the importance of the rights we hold so dear.

As the past few years have taught us, the perpetuity of these rights is not a given. Each generation must rise to the challenge. Part of that means making sure succeeding generations are willing and ready.

KUDOS

Thanks, Peggy

Next Tuesday in Carrboro is Peggy Misch Day. It is not the only official nod to the work of one of this community’s tireless leaders in the cause of human rights and individual liberties. Next week at an event in Raleigh, she’ll receive the Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina’s 2008 International Human Rights Award.

Margaret “Peggy” Misch seems to be constantly on the move and, whether it is organizing another event with the Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee or having her say before a government board, her passion for our rights comes through.

An important step

Kudos to Piedmont Health Services and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce for collaborating on a way to make health care more affordable and accessible for self-employed people and employees of local small businesses.

The health center is signing up 50 individuals for a pilot program that lowers costs for doctor visits and prescriptions.

Here’s to their success with the hope that it will lead to more programs like it here and elsewhere.

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