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Human rights are so commonly ignored because we enjoy so many of them every day that the idea that others do not have those same freedoms often does not even enter our minds. It is easy to take human rights for granted when we wake up each day with the expectation of being able to go to school, speak freely, and live in relative security. However, when you do any of these things, you are directly exercising your human rights. But do you ever consider the significance of having the ability to do any or all of these things every day? 

The United Nations describes human rights as “...rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.” The UN Declaration of Human Rights includes various examples of human rights, including the rights to life, fair trial, health, education, and an acceptable standard of living. Multiple important freedoms are also encapsulated in human rights, some of these include the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from inhumane treatment.

Many people in America view violations of human rights as far removed from their lives in our nation, however, that isn’t always true. Human rights are not just disregarded in undeveloped or foreign nations. Rather, the struggle to promote human rights is global. In the United States, instances of violated human rights are not as few and far between as many believe. Issues like a lack of reform in immigration policies put at risk the right to health of thousands of immigrants. Similarly, social issues within US borders like racial disparities in criminal sentencing disrupt the human rights of the defendants. These are just two examples of many more concerns regarding human rights in the US.

The fight to promote and uphold the humanity of all global citizens is not limited to just those in power or nations with extremely apparent human rights violations. Protecting and recognizing the essential rights and freedoms that should be guaranteed to all people is an effort that requires strong global participation. Yes, that includes you, too! Maintaining the acknowledgment and furtherance of human rights is an important pursuit for all people, as support for human rights preserves a global understanding of the inherent value and dignity owed to all humans. The deconstruction of that appreciation for human life impacts all people, not just those who are facing human rights violations currently.

So, with a new understanding of the human rights that you enjoy every day, we here at The Rise Up Project encourage you to use those rights to advocate for the rights and freedoms of others! As global citizens, one of the most constructive contributions we can make is to use to our fullest ability our freedom to advocate for those who are unable to speak out for themselves. This means getting involved in activism, becoming educated on global and domestic human rights issues, and spreading the word about how important it is to recognize and appreciate human rights. It may seem like a large task, but even the smallest of steps can make a real impact on the recognition of inherent human rights and dignity, even if it is just in your school or community.