Wednesday, May 15, 2019

human rights

What exactly do you consider a "human right?" Do you have the right to own car? Do you have a right to eat whatever you want? Is healthcare a human right? Is having a job a human right? I feel like we throw a lot into that 'it's my right' bucket. Whenever we want something or want our way, we say, it's my right! 

The United Nations says human rights are;
1. all humans are born free and equal
2. everyone has a right to freedom without discrimination
3. everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person
4. no one should be a slave
5. no one should be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment/punishment
6. everyone has the right to use the law
7. everyone has the right to be protected by the law
8. everyone has the right to fair treatment by the law
9. Nobody has the right to arrest/detain you without a good reason
10. everyone has the right to a fair trial
11. you're innocent until proven guilty
12. you have the right to privacy
13. everyone has the right to go wherever they want in regard to travel
14. we have the right to seek asylum in another country
15. everyone has the right to a nationality
16. we have a right to marry and have a family if we want to 
17. We have a right to own things
18. everyone has the right to freedom of thought
19. everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression
20. everyone has the right to meet where we like
21. we have a right to democracy
22. we all have the right to housing, medicine, education and enough money to live on
23. everyone has the right to work and receive equal pay for equal work
24. everyone has the right to rest - including vacation and holiday pay
25. everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care
26. everyone has the right to an education
27. everyone has the right to copyright protection
28. everyone is 'entitled' to a fair and free world
29. everyone should protect everyone else's rights too
30. Nobody has a right to take these away from you

There's a lot of conversation to be had there. I looked that all up this morning for a reason though.
In Alabama, lawmakers have voted to ban abortions in their state.  Again, a lot of conversation to be had there. But I was struck by some of the protesters and their signs. One sign said, "abortion is a human right." Really? Is it? So I looked it up. Hmmmm. Another sign said, "protect women's health." Still others said, "senator's mistresses and daughters will always have THEIR abortions" and "It's easy being pro life when you're not pregnant." People are so dumb. I mean, if you can't protest something intelligently, no wonder your lawmakers walk all over you. I don't agree with Alabama. Mostly because I don't think the government should be able to make that decision for you. Wouldn't it better if you just tried harder to teach them about birth control, responsibility and consequences? Shouldn't that be the conversation?

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