Hi, I’m Jill Savitt
Two weeks into my tenure as the CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, I have not had as much time to check my Twitter feed, and so I’ve been spared my typical daily intake of negativity. One immediate benefit: the furrow in my brow has smoothed a bit. We live amid rampant incivility. Social media food fights are both a cause and an effect of our polarization. Another benefit of my new role: spending so much time within the walls of the Center. Everywhere you look, there are stories of courage, of selflessness, of people working together to achieve a common goal. It’s one of the best antidotes to the digital shrieking all around us. The far sides of the spectrum have taken center stage in so many areas of our lives – but not here. Here’s a sample of what you can catch if you stop in: If you need a reminder of the values we all should — must — be fighting for, come by. I hope to see you there.
Indigenous Peoples Activist, LaDonna Harris
Comanche activist LaDonna Harris is the founder and president of Americans for Indian Opportunity, an organization whose mission “advances, from an Indigenous worldview, the cultural, political and economic rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world.” Before that, she acquired an incredible resume of Indigenous activism. From founding Americans for Indian Opportunity to being appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the National Council on Indian Opportunity, Harris has been a key figure in fighting for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights. Her influence has touched many organizations including the National Indian Housing Council, the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, the National Tribal Environmental Council, and the National Indian Business Association. Ms. Harris’ Indigenous heritage has always been a part of her life; as a child, she was raised on a farm in a self-governing Indigenous community near Walters, Oklahoma. When she was married to U.S. Senator Fred Harris, she pursued a life of public service but was denied membership into the Junior League of Oklahoma because of her Comanche ethnicity. Ms. Harris didn’t let that stop her, and instead, she began what would be her long history of Indigenous Peoples’ activism by founding the non-profit organization, Americans for Indian Opportunity. While being married to Senator Harris, and living in Washington D.C., she created the course “Indian 101” and began teaching it to members of Congress at the request of President Johnson. Harris taught “Indian 101” for thirty years, and during that time she advised many institutions on Indigenous Peoples’ rights as well as helping return native lands to many Alaskan and New Mexico tribes. Still an activist and leader as the president of Americans for Indian Opportunity, Harris has helped establish an ambassador program that pulls young professionals to represent their nation. You can learn more about LaDonna Harris by watching the PBS program, “LaDonna Harris: Indian 101” and learn more about the Americans for Indian Opportunity here.
So Woke We Got Insomnia with the Education Department
Season 2 Episode 6 of Rights Not Reserved The Education Department comes on Rights Not Reserved to drop some knowledge on the history and importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Listen as Nicole and Ted discuss the definition and origin, their insights on rights, and their favorite Civil and Human Rights Icons. The UDHR was established in 1948, shortly after World War II and placed before the United Nations (UN) declaring the inalienable rights of all people around the world and attempting to document the lessons learned from past decades of violence and injustice. The document contains thirty articles, which serve as a set of principles for governments to use to remain accountable for their duty to protect the rights and freedoms of all people. If you’d like to learn more, visit https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/70udhr. If you’d like to learn about Sustainable Development Goals, go here. To find out more about how our education department can assist your needs, go here. Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below:
Women and Anti-Recidivism with Tera Bell and Carla Taylor of Women on the Rise
Season 2 Episode 5 of Rights Not Reserved Women on the Rise gives us insight on life after incarceration and what Atlanta can do to create a more restorative and just community If you would like to get involved with Women on the Rise: http://www.rjactioncenter.org/wor And be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook: @womenontherise1 @womenontherisega Other institutions to get involved with that deal with Incarcerated Women: National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls Harriet’s Daughters Racial Justice Action Center Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below:
The Duty to Respond
I’m Brian Tolleson, Interim CEO at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights and a proud LGBTQ person…and I guess we can add “Guest Blogger” to that. Yes, it’s just temp job for a former Board member, (maybe the best temp job in the world, in my opinion). But in life, I’m an activist and an entrepreneur who has built and sold media and entertainment businesses. I was a leader of a very small team who launched Logo for MTV Networks, the first ever 24/7 media brand for LGBTQ Americans. And, my business partner from launching Logo and I built and sold the first ever YouTube network for LGBTQ People funded in part by Google Labs. I have made it my personal mission to help give voice to the voiceless for my entire career… and to build businesses that do that. My current venture, Lexicon Strategies, is a communications strategy firm that helps corporations, that have a civic component of their business, generate positive social impact. I’m very proud to be here to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The amazing team here at The Center asked me to share some thoughts about the UDHR and I’m honored to do so. At The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, one of our primary duties is to curate the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection. In fact, we are the only place on planet Earth where the mind of Dr. King, through his personal papers and writings, is rotated in a permanent exhibition of his work open to the public. And that’s really what I want to share with you today, to bring you some words from Dr. King’s vision that in many ways is a realization of the very ideals underpinning the UDHR.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1538662915330{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Let’s look at 3 of the Articles of the UDHR that I personally feel are interwoven into a powerful statement of fundamental protection- Articles 23-25. I call these “The Rights of working Peoples” and their inclusion speaks boldly to our universal values to be a productive society of humans at work, and for us to protect and respect those who serve. Article 23 Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Article 24 Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Article 25 Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. On December 11th, 1964, sixteen years and one day after the adoption of the UDHR, in the Auditorium of the University of Oslo, Dr. King, in his Nobel Lecture, said: Now at this moment, 54 years ago, remember… the 1964 Civil Rights Act was less than 6 months old and the country was in the height of civil turmoil. Selma, and many Southern Cities experiencing intense and unprecedented conflict. Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettis bridge in Selma, still six months in the future. This was a powerful time when the future of our very society was unclear. And at this moment, Dr. King’s brilliant insight was actually…at that time… a new idea in America. Of course, it was contemplated in the UDHR, but Dr. King was one of the first to demand these specific rights in America for everyone. I’m going to digress for one second, because I want to remind you of ways you can experience Dr. King’s works yourself as you pursue your hard work. To constantly remind yourselves that you are part of a long road of sacrifice towards true human dignity in our society. Now, if you happen to be in Oslo, we are proud partners supporting The King Family in an exhibition created by The Nobel Museum which just opened last Friday. And, of course if you are here in Atlanta, I encourage you to visit both The King Center and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. At The National Center for Civil and Human Rights we currently have on rotation an exhibition King: A Champion for Human Rights, which I think you will find inspirational as you consider the global effect of the UDHR. OK, back to my point. The following are several key excerpts from a press announcement from Dr. King, as President of The Southern Christian Leadership Conference… perhaps one of the earliest suggestions of the coming “Poor People’s Campaign”. This was released on December 4th, 1967, exactly 4 months before his assassination on April 4th, 1968. The entire original of this document is on display at The Center until the end of the year, and I encourage you to visit it. I think you will be amazed at how long this arc is, slowly bending towards justice and only with a true commitment by people like you to help bend it. ( December 4th, 1967.) America is at a crossroads of history, and it is critically important for us, as a nation and a society, to choose a new path and move upon it with resolution and courage. It is impossible to under-estimate the crisis we face in America. The
Living the Legacy with Former VP of Marketing, Kristie Cain Raymer
Season 2 Episode 4 of Rights Not Reserved “These are the moments that make every day– magical.” – VP of Marketing and Sales, Kristie Cain Raymer We’re sitting down with Kristie and nailing down what The Center has done and will continue to do for Civil and Human Rights. This is also a sad episode, because our lovely co-host Erin will be leaving Rights Not Reserved to go and do more great things for Civil and Human Rights. Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below:
Ending Homelessness with Atlanta Mission CEO, Jim Reese
Season 2 Episode 3 of Rights Not Reserved In this episode, Jim Reese gives us the day-to-day operations at the Atlanta Mission and tips on what we can do to end homelessness in Atlanta. If you would like to get involved and volunteer to the Atlanta Mission: www.atlantamission.org Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below:
Learn Something. See Something. Do Something.
Deborah Richardson is the Executive Director of the International Human Trafficking Institute at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights The International Human Trafficking Institute (IHTI), an initiative of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, launched our three year campaign to reduce Human Trafficking by focusing on decreasing Demand. Human Trafficking is a profitable business because of the demand created by customers who want to rent or purchase a person for labor or sexual exploitation. As convener of the Metro Atlanta Coalition to End Human Trafficking, IHTI is partnering with over 250 entities in the private and public sectors, faith and civic groups, along with public safety units in 5 metro area counties–Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett. Deborah Richardson, a long-time advocate addressing human trafficking, is Executive Director of the International Human Trafficking Institute. As the think-tank of the Civil Rights Movement and home to several global human rights organizations and more than ten Fortune 500 companies, we are uniquely positioned to take on one of the most egregious human rights issues of the 21st century—modern day slavery. We are a community that has always worked collaboratively and intentionally toward righting its wrongs. This is our opportunity to continue this legacy. Businesses and Governments: We will train your employees on human trafficking awareness, provide volunteer opportunities, along with recommendations on anti-human trafficking stipulations for your human resource policies and vendor contracts. Faith congregations, educational institutions, civic and advocacy groups: We will provide training and hands on projects for your members and students. A special thank you to our convening partners:
Tranformative Activism with Raquel Willis
Season 2 Episode 2 of Rights Not Reserved In this episode, we discuss activism with Raquel Willis. Raquel is an activist and a National Organizer at the Transgender Law Center. As an advocate for transgender and gender non-conforming people, she works to transform communities into safe spaces where transgender and gender non-conforming people can live their most promising lives. We go over her story and what the fight looks like for transgender and queer rights in America. If you would like to get involved and help transgender and gender non-conforming people, check out these projects: Black LGBTQ Migrant Project Positively Trans Transgender Law Center The LGBTQ+ Guide to Online Safety Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below:
Silencing the Shame with Shanti Das
Season 2 Episode 1 of Rights Not Reserved We open up season two discussing mental health and the stigmas that often comes from dealing with those issues with Shanti Das. Das is the founder of Silence the Shame, a mental health initiative under her Hip-Hop Professional Foundation. In this episode the three of them discuss Das’s personal triumphs over mental health, the shame and stigmas surrounding getting help, and what you can do to help silence the shame. National Silence the Shame Day is May 5th. Learn more about what you can do to help here. If you or anyone you know is in need of a crisis line text SILENCE to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255). Click here to subscribe to Rights Not Reserved. Listen to the episode below: