While this video only represents the viewpoint of 50 EU political leaders, it is powerful.
A firm statement made: "Homophobia has no place in Europe."
Thursday, May 17, 2012
International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia
In observance of today's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay released a video supporting the rights of LGBT people worldwide.
According to Pillay, "We must punish hatred and violence, not love. The best antidote for homophobia and transphobia is to educate adults and children."
Such a statement would land Pillay in prison in many countries around the world.
According to Pillay, "We must punish hatred and violence, not love. The best antidote for homophobia and transphobia is to educate adults and children."
Such a statement would land Pillay in prison in many countries around the world.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission Community Forum
On Wednesday May 16, from 6:30-8:00 pm, the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission hosted a community forum. Two new commissioners were in attendance, as well as three representatives from different community organizations.
The Commission presented its work plan to the new commissioners and the three representatives. Then the new commissioners and community representatives had a chance to share what they were working on within their organizations. Commissioners and the community representatives found out that they had some common goals, but we did not have sufficient time to fully address the main question: How can we collaborate in our efforts? The Commission also sought feedback from the community representatives on how to improve.
Some suggestions and advice that the Commission received included:
1. More community forums. Invite everyone to the table.
2. Tap into the communities that we are not already a part of.
3. Seek out volunteers from the senior center.
4. Learn how to communicate better with groups who do not believe in the same things that we do.
5. Focus on education and outreach rather than enforcement. Many people in the community are intimidated by the Human Rights Commission due to its role as "enforcer". Even our Human Rights Commissioner is called an "Enforcement Officer".
The next meeting of the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission is Wednesday June 20th at 6 pm at Independent Lifestyles in Sauk Rapids. We will be discussing the feedback.
The Commission presented its work plan to the new commissioners and the three representatives. Then the new commissioners and community representatives had a chance to share what they were working on within their organizations. Commissioners and the community representatives found out that they had some common goals, but we did not have sufficient time to fully address the main question: How can we collaborate in our efforts? The Commission also sought feedback from the community representatives on how to improve.
Some suggestions and advice that the Commission received included:
1. More community forums. Invite everyone to the table.
2. Tap into the communities that we are not already a part of.
3. Seek out volunteers from the senior center.
4. Learn how to communicate better with groups who do not believe in the same things that we do.
5. Focus on education and outreach rather than enforcement. Many people in the community are intimidated by the Human Rights Commission due to its role as "enforcer". Even our Human Rights Commissioner is called an "Enforcement Officer".
The next meeting of the St Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission is Wednesday June 20th at 6 pm at Independent Lifestyles in Sauk Rapids. We will be discussing the feedback.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
In 1949, US Congress declared May Mental Health Awareness Month "to raise public awareness and public discourse about the prevalence of mental illness in society". The number of World War Two veterans and war refugees suffering from trauma inspired this awareness month. While a variety of assessment tools, therapies, and medications exist today for people suffering from mental illnesses, family awareness and acceptance is often their first step to healing.
Here are some Minnesota mental health resources:
Adult Mental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
Minnesota Mental Health: Resources for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns & Wright Counties
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota
Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Here are some Minnesota mental health resources:
Adult Mental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Mental Health Association of Minnesota
Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs
Minnesota Mental Health: Resources for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns & Wright Counties
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota
Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Bersih Minneapolis
On Saturday April 28, Malaysians living in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, and elsewhere gathered at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden for a peaceful demonstration to support the Bersih 3.0 movement. In spite of the cold, rainy day, over 60 people showed up to support free, clean elections in Malaysia.
Why is this significant? In most American papers, Malaysian affairs do not get top billing. Perhaps they should. For quite some time, Malaysia has been the Southeast Asian country with the most stable democracy in the region. Due to a widening class divide rising from corruption and laws favoring Muslim Malays, and institutionalized racism against Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent, this former model of democracy and tolerance is disintegrating. Many of the nation's intellectuals leave Malaysia for opportunities elsewhere.
Amnesty International has published a report about the Malaysian government's increasing repression of the Malaysian people here.
It was not so long ago that some people in the United States questioned Dubya's presidential election victories, and wondered if his brother Jeb in Florida had something to do with rigging things. It was also not long ago that the state of Minnesota decided to put a Voter ID bill up for public vote in November. American patriots should follow what is happening in Malaysia to make sure that we are not fooled into following the same path.
Why is this significant? In most American papers, Malaysian affairs do not get top billing. Perhaps they should. For quite some time, Malaysia has been the Southeast Asian country with the most stable democracy in the region. Due to a widening class divide rising from corruption and laws favoring Muslim Malays, and institutionalized racism against Malaysians of Chinese and Indian descent, this former model of democracy and tolerance is disintegrating. Many of the nation's intellectuals leave Malaysia for opportunities elsewhere.
Amnesty International has published a report about the Malaysian government's increasing repression of the Malaysian people here.
It was not so long ago that some people in the United States questioned Dubya's presidential election victories, and wondered if his brother Jeb in Florida had something to do with rigging things. It was also not long ago that the state of Minnesota decided to put a Voter ID bill up for public vote in November. American patriots should follow what is happening in Malaysia to make sure that we are not fooled into following the same path.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Bullying Listening Sessions
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) is one of the organizations appointed to the Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. We are encouraging our colleagues and community partners to become engaged in the work of the task force.
The Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying was created by executive order in February 2012. The task force will examine current trends in bullying, intimidation and harassment in Minnesota schools and will review existing related laws and regulations. From this review and input from experts on the topic, the task force will define bullying, harassment and intimidation and then provide policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The task force is scheduled to meet through July 2012.
Here’s how you can engage with the work of the task force:
· Provide public comments to the task force on the issue of school bullying.
· Encourage others to provide their comments to the task force.
· Attend task force meetings. Meetings are open to the public and tentatively scheduled to be held at the MN Department of Education (MDE).
· Help turn out community members to listening sessions. The MDE is tentatively planning to host a few listening sessions in different communities across the state. These sessions will be open to the public.
We want to make sure that at minimum you know how you or your colleagues can provide comments, suggestions or ideas to the task force. You can provide your comments by:
1. Speaking at a task force meeting: The last 15 minutes of the task force’s meetings on April 16th, May 21st, and June 18th, will be set aside for public comments. You can provide your comments during this time.
2. Speaking at listening sessions: Listening sessions are tentatively planned for Bemidji, Rochester, and St. Cloud. Additional communities are being considered. There will be a time set aside during these sessions when participants can provide their comments. (Note: The location of the listening sessions is one of the agenda items for the task force’s April 16th meeting.)
3. Submit comments in writing: Written comments can be submitted to the task force co-chairs or the lead MDE staff person, Rose Hermodson, at rose.hermodson@state.mn.us.
We hope to provide a couple more updates to you on the work of this task force. You are highly encouraged to bookmark the Task Force on Prevention of School Bullying web page on MDE’s web site and use that web page as your source for updates on meeting agendas, handouts, task force meeting times, and other relevant information.
The next meeting of the task force is scheduled for April 16, 2012, at the MDE, Conference Center A, Room 13, 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN. If you are interested in attending any of the meetings or providing public comments at the meetings, please contact Rose Hermodson at rose.hermodson@state.mn.us.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter and Human Rights
Easter is an ancient holiday. The word "Easter" comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, goddess of spring. Early Christians celebrated Passover, just like the Jewish people, for some time after Christ. The development of Easter as a distinctly Christian holiday probably took place after the fall of the Roman Empire, when Christian missionaries traveled to Northern Europe. Celebration of the arrival of spring and fertility became associated with the rebirth of Jesus Christ, which is why Easter in many European cultures is associated with Easter eggs, rabbits, pastel colors, and baby animals.
Every year, the Pope delivers a message on Easter Sunday which is usually a call for peace. This year, Pope Benedict XVI did the honors, naming particular countries and his hopes that they resolve their troubles. If Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth and new starts, perhaps it is the day we should reflect, forgive, and try to see our neighbors in a positive light. We have a long way to go on this planet together, as it is everyone's home, and we need to work together to keep it green, fertile, and fair. They say that the main reason for the Arab Spring rebellion was rising food prices due to climate change around the world. Without food, without sustainable agriculture and a renewal of the land, all humankind will sink to barbarism. How can we smile at our neighbors with empty bellies, while theirs are full? How can a prosperous, well-watered nation exploit the poor, parched ones? And how can a handful of corporations monopolize agriculture around the world?
What will change this spring?
Every year, the Pope delivers a message on Easter Sunday which is usually a call for peace. This year, Pope Benedict XVI did the honors, naming particular countries and his hopes that they resolve their troubles. If Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth and new starts, perhaps it is the day we should reflect, forgive, and try to see our neighbors in a positive light. We have a long way to go on this planet together, as it is everyone's home, and we need to work together to keep it green, fertile, and fair. They say that the main reason for the Arab Spring rebellion was rising food prices due to climate change around the world. Without food, without sustainable agriculture and a renewal of the land, all humankind will sink to barbarism. How can we smile at our neighbors with empty bellies, while theirs are full? How can a prosperous, well-watered nation exploit the poor, parched ones? And how can a handful of corporations monopolize agriculture around the world?
What will change this spring?
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