"Rights"

Last night was a night all about "Rights". Part of that focus I chose, and part of the focus on "Rights" came to me without invitation. I was preparing to go hear a lecture being given by Dr. Paul Lauren, when I turned on the news, to see the day's developments and have a bite to eat before departing. BREAKING NEWS! the report was that, only a short time ago, the Wisconsin State Senate had abruptly changed course (and rationalizations) and voted away collective bargaining "rights" of public employees including teachers. I was pretty appalled at the methods used, but even more shocked that hard fought employee rights to bargain in the workplace had been wiped out in that state for public employees. I'm pretty sure that we, as a nation, are beginning a real cultural revolution and this was the first battleground. I'm convinced that what is happening now is ultimately about "Rights" and they will define our culture for the next generation. So with a sad feeling settling in, I went to the lecture.

Dr. Paul Lauren was the speaker. He described himself as "a mild mannered professor, who enjoys fly fishing". I could see that part was true. What brought me to hear him speak was the topic, and the other thing this man is. He spoke on "The Conscience of Mankind: The History and Future of Human Rights". It turns out this mild mannered fly fishing professor is also one of the world's leading experts on Human Rights. He has traveled the globe as an envy of the U.S., worked tirelessly for the United Nations, and has a list of honors long enough to stretch around the block. He is an eminent scholar, a Senior Fulbright Fellow and a College Professor. He is also a person who was on the streets of Harlem during our struggles, been in Bosnia to campaign against the atrocities there, and has put his life in real jeopardy to live out his convictions everywhere humanity has turned on itself.

Being in, and around, social work all my adult life I was pretty familiar with the basic issues concerning Human Rights. So, I can't say I learned anything startling. But what an honor it was to listen to a man who has devoted himself to promoting, and advancing the human experience in the face of ever present forces beset with greed for power and wealth. It's actually uplifting to know that such people exist. His calm resolve helped quell my earlier sadness. He talked about how greed turns to tyranny, how tyrants use violence, and that violence usually is the result of fear. Fear is an emotion that comes naturally. Fear is also an emotion that can be easily manipulated. Fear will lead us to do things or permit things we would normally never allow. And that is how Human Rights violators, violate the Conscience of Man.

I was left to consider the events of the day against this backdrop of "Rights". I can see that rights are not granted all at once and they don't disappear all at once. I began to reflect on the continuing rise of greed for power and wealth we're seeing in America today, mostly by corporations who now own so much of our wealth. In future postings I'll be discussing some specifics on these issues. But for today I began to see the how the seeds of fear are used to erode our rights and sometimes our decency. Just today Rep. King held hearings on Muslims (American Citizens!) as we are being taught to fear them. Just yesterday Wisconsin Rebublican senators voted away the rights of workers, as we are being taught to fear and blame them for our economic troubles. Just yesterday the Idaho legisalture voted away collective bargaining for teachers. It's already happened in Ohio and Michigan. Seems we just need someone to fear and someone to blame. The fear doesn't even need to based in truth- it almost never is. Even though employee rights are probably not in the same category as slavery and genocide, I began to see that the human experience is enhanced by the protection of all rights, and that the human condition erodes little by little when greed and fear chips away at any of our rights. Dr. Lauren reminded us that "rights" are preserved when people have had enough and take action. We are seeing that action now in different parts of the world and here at home. Lets hope it results in the preservation of rights, not the destruction of them!

Thanks for considering some Different Thoughts!