human rights meditations: week 21

People Power Series Puppet Master - Chicago Protest
Photograph by Amara Betty Martin
Available via etsy

Welcome to Week 21 of Human Rights Meditations. Each week we’re looking at an Article in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Learn more about the series here.

This week we’re looking at Article 21 of the UDHR.

Article 21: (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Read over the article above a few times and let it sink in (this is a long one, so you may want to break it up as you reflect). As you reflect, consider the following:

·          What's the first picture that came to your mind?

·          How did you respond to what you read?

·          Reflect how you feel about yourself in comparison to others.

·          Reflect on how you perceive others in your world. 

·          Reflect on your understanding of global issues.

Write the article down and stick it somewhere where you know you'll see it throughout the week. This will prompt you to keep the thinking going! Alternatively, write down something that has stood out to you throughout this meditation.  

Now, get talking! Let's talk openly about our thoughts on each article, what we're learning about ourselves and some of the actions we're taking to live more in line with the Declaration. Don't forget that as well as chatting via the comments below, you can get talking via twitter by including this tag: #hrmlak

I'll go first: 

• Democracy v dictatorship (and all the blurs in between)... interesting to think about how this is played out in each political system.
• How involved are you in your local/state/federal government and decision making? Do you want to be more/less involved? My general rule is that silence is consensus. I think that when my government makes decisions that I'm not happy with, but I knew about it prior to the decision being made, and don't do anything about it, I've really demonstrated a willingness to go along with it... Inaction is just as powerful as action, and I have to keep reminding myself that I can't just sit back and assume my opinion will be taken into account if I don't share it!!!! 

Kate xx


PS Thanks to photographer Amara Betty Martin for sharing her photograph in support of this series. The Photograph shared is part of her People Power Series. You can check out Amara's etsy page and follow her on facebook to keep in touch with her work.