International Peace Day - 2012

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by Costa Rica, the third Tuesday of September (the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly) as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.

In 2001 a new resolution was passed by the General Assembly, sponsored by the United Kingdom (giving credit to Peace One Day) and Costa Rica (the sponsors of the original day) to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and declare it as a global ceasefire day.

Today is set aside as the International Day of Peace which occurs annually on September 21. It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples.

To inaugurate the day, the "Peace Bell" is rung at UN Headquarters. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents. It was given as a gift by the Diet of Japan, and is referred to as "a reminder of the human cost of war." The inscription on its side reads: "Long live absolute world peace."

Each year individuals and organizations from 175 nations gather to promote peace in their communities and the world. At this very moment, UN peacekeepers around the world are risking their lives in the name of peace.

I send grateful thanks to a good friend of mine, Elvis Chinchilla Hernández , from El Salvador, who spent 18 months in Liberia as a peacekeeper.

These men and women in blue helmets – more than 100,000 in total, making them the second largest deployed military in the world – can be found in 16 of the world's most dangerous conflict areas. They are stationed in such hot spots as Lebanon, Haiti and Sudan, and are fighting to preserve and ensure peace.

Sometimes that means disrupting drug trafficking and maintaining law and order. Sometimes it means disarming former combatants and disposing of mines. And sometimes it means organizing elections or helping countries develop legal frameworks to ensure continued justice. In any case, this work is critical to American national security interests, yet it often goes under appreciated in this country and elsewhere.

*****

September 21st is the date generally associated with the Autumnal Equinox – a time of great astronomical and spiritual significance for a great many people.

The United Nations General Assembly re-opens on or around this date every year. In this sense, it is a very symbolic time globally. The following statements are excerpts from

‘100 reasons to ban nuclear weapons’ :

because nuclear weapons threaten humankind. Let's get rid of them for good -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

because as UN Secretary-General, I believe there would be no winners in a nuclear war

because nuclear weapons do not discriminate -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

because it will make the world safer for our children and grandchildren -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

because the resources it will free up could fight climate change -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

because the resources it will free up could fight global food insecurity -

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

because the world will be more secure and stable without nuclear weapons.

because disarmament and non-proliferation are inextricably linked to development, human rights and peace.

because the resources it will free up could fight global poverty -

UN Secretary-

because we are serious about the future of humankind

because while nuclear weapons exist, accidents can happen

because 6.8 billion people are at risk

because any feud between countries could be a death warrant for the planet -

Michael Douglas, UN Messenger of Peace

because billions are spent on a tool of self-destruction while many die of hunger

(sent from Poland)

because killing people by any means is simply wrong; why on earth do we accept the idea of total destruction?

(sent from Canada)

because love, empathy, collaboration, understanding, generosity, unity, forgiveness, goodwill, kindness, caring, reason, and compassion are answers, not weapons of mass destruction

(sent from the USA)

because peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding -

Albert Einstein

because the future of our world depends on sustainable development for the preservation of lives and families, not building nuclear weapons

(sent from Nigeria)

go to the united nations website for more information about the efforts toward world peace.

International Peace Day - 2012

peacesojourner

67th Anniversary of Bombing of Nagasaki

This week marks the 67th anniversary of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and then another on Nagasaki three days later, August 9, 1945. With just two bombs, more than 200,000 people -- mostly civilians -- were instantly incinerated or died from radiation poisoning by the end of 1945. Many more have died since and are still dying from the effects of radiation. The effect on future generations are still unknown.

Memorial in Nagasaki for those who died

Although Nagasaki has been completely rebuilt, powerful reminders of the atomic devastation can be found everywhere. The personal testimonies of the survivors, the Hibakusha, make the tragedy very real. Let us heed their plea:

"Never again!"

*****

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who live by the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:50-53)

*****

Jesus’ Last Words to the Church

By Father John Dear, SJ

We have spent the last 1700 years, denying Jesus’ final command. We have justified warfare, led our crusades, and stamped every bombing raid and nuclear weapon with our blessing.

But the commandment remains: “Put down the sword.” I think one day the church will realize that the just war theory has no place in the Gospel. They’ll realize it was by no means exemplified by the life of Jesus. And the theory will fall into disrepute. One day the church will teach only Gospel nonviolence. And Christians everywhere will quit the military and refuse to join. They’ll obstruct warfare and beat all swords into plowshares.

The unarmed Christ wants his community, the church, to be a community of creative, loving nonviolence, I submit. It’s God’s holy gift to the world. The challenge then is to take him at his word.

*****

A friend shared the following message with me via e-mail - thought I would share it with everyone so that we can continue to learn.

"Yesterday I was with someone who had been in Japan for several weeks, and she mentioned that everywhere, there is braille, because so many were blinded by the bombings. All along the brass stair rails down into the subway, for example. There are varying feels to the walkways, so that the blind know where to walk. I had never realized that there were so many blind people!

*****

Imagine a world filled with peace and love.

peacesojourner

Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela - 94 Today

Mr. Mandela shared that the following poem was one of the things that helped him to remain focused during the twenty seven years of incarceration.

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

******

In 2009, the United Nations established Nelson Mandela International Day to honor the African leader on his birthday through acts of community service.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged people around the world "to make a difference" by tutoring a child, feeding the hungry or volunteering at a hospital or community center.

"A healer of nations and a mentor to generations, Nelson Mandela — or Madiba as he is affectionately known by millions — is a living symbol of wisdom, courage and integrity," Ban said. "Together, the best way we can thank Nelson Mandela for his work is by taking action for others and inspiring change."

People around the world were asked to mark his birthday by giving 67 minutes of their time to work in their local community — one minute for every year of Mandela's public service.

He became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against racist apartheid rule, and was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Happy Birthday Madiba -

peacesojourner

If It Is Thursday It's Going Green - Plastic Bags

Plastic Bags

NYC Subway - In the stairwell of the R/W train in NYC at Rector Street (by Wall Street). Photo submitted by Steph

Most of us start consuming non-renewable, non-recyclable products from the time we are born, starting with disposable diapers. Breaking the habit can be painful and uncomfortable. But if you think of all that can be gained from changing just a few of your shopping and consuming behaviors, you might find the motivation you need.

One of the biggest environmental problems related to over-consumption is the production and disposal of excessive packaging. Because we are a society that is programmed to buy everything in an attractive box or bag, over a lifetime we can contribute to the disposal of hundreds of thousands of highly toxic boxes and bags into landfills where they'll slowly poison our soil and water. Stop the wasteful packaging cycle by keeping these simple tips in mind next time you're at the store.

Bring Your Own Bags/Refuse a Bag: Did you know that over 500,000,000,000 (that's 500 billion) plastic bags are consumed annually, or almost 1 million per minute? Most of these bags are only used once before ending up in the landfill. Avoid the issue of paper or plastic by bringing your own canvas or hemp sacks whenever possible, and refusing extra bags, like double bagging meats or bagging produce that doesn't need it.

Concentrate on Concentrates: Sometimes good things really can come in small packages, and small packages mean a smaller carbon footprint. Look for products that you can buy in concentrated forms that will save money and produce less carbon emission to make and transport. Common concentrates include juices, soaps, and household cleaning products.

3.6% of emissions come from waste. Here, too, we can have an impact:

Buy fewer packaged goods. Buy loose fruits and vegetables rather than those wrapped in plastic on Styrofoam platters.

Buy less in general – ask yourself "Do I really need this?"

Buy from the bulk bins – most grains, cereals, nuts, rice, raisins, etc, are available in bulk. It is usually cheaper and the item can be placed in a paper bag, thus avoiding cardboard boxes and plastic wrapping.

Buy reusable instead of disposable.

*****

Currently floating in the Pacific Ocean is a giant field of plastic trash that is twice the size of the continental United States. Stretching from our west coast to Japan, this man-made mess is severely affecting the Pacific’s ecosystem. Experts say that dangerous chemicals from industrial waste, such as PCB’s, stick to any plastics in the water. The chemicals are then ingested by marine life and birds – and via the food chain, by humans.

How does the plastic get there? From streams and rivers, beaches and boats. "There is no technology to get rid of plastic", says Marcus Erikson of the nonprofit Algalita Marine Research Foundation. “The only solution is to stop adding it to the ocean.”

Some countries already have announced bans on free plastic bags.

Urge your local markets to go plastic free.

Speak up, stand up, let’s do something about it!

42nd Anniversary of Earth Day - April 22, 2012

The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder

and pioneer John McConnell

Treat the earth gently

Earth Day promotes environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet.

Sunday, April 22, 2012.

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held worldwide annually. While some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox, others observe the occasion on April 22 each year. Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. It is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.

What do people do?:
The April 22 Earth Day is usually celebrated with outdoor performances, where individuals or groups perform acts of service to earth by planting trees, picking up roadside trash, conducting various programs for recycling and conservation, using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches. Some people sign petitions to governments, calling for stronger or immediate action to stop global warming. Television stations frequently air programs dealing with environmental issues.

Background:
The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.
In 1978, American anthropologist Margaret Mead added her support for the equinox Earth Day, founded by John McConnell. She stated that the selection of the March Equinox for Earth Day made planetary observance of a shared event possible.

Symbols:
"The Earth Flag is my symbol of the task before us all. Only in the last quarter of my life have we come to know what it means to be custodians of the future of the Earth - to know that unless we care, unless we check the rapacious exploitations of our Earth and protect it, we are endangering the future of our children and our children's children. We did not know this before, except in little pieces. People knew that they had to take care of their own ... but it was not until we saw the picture of the Earth, from the Moon, that we realized how small and how helpless this planet is - something that we must hold in our arms and care for."
Margaret Mead, March 21, 1977

The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder and pioneer John McConnell, an early leader in the international peace movement. Inspired by the striking first photographs of the whole Earth taken during America's historic Apollo 10 space mission in 1969, this symbolic creation attained immediate world-wide recognition, including a lifetime association with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Dr. Mead carried what she called "the flag for all people" with her wherever she appeared from 1969 until her death in 1977.
The Earth Flag is proudly waved at Earth Day celebrations throughout the world. The Earth Flag now flies as a matter of course in hundreds of American cities, as well as numerous countries in North and South America, in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and Japan.

So what can you do to take part in Earth Day?

Here are some opportunities for Volunteering. Why not get in touch with them and get involved. One thing that I can guarantee is that you will meet some wonderful human beings and you just might have some fun while you are helping.


Earth Team Volunteers:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers
The Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service needs people 14 and older to help reduce soil loss, protect water supplies, and more.

EPA Earth Day Activities :
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency holds local events to celebrate Earth Day.

Forest Service Volunteer:
http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/volunteers.html
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the USDA Forest Service. Your talents and skills are matched with your work preference to satisfy you and fulfill the mission of the Forest Service.

Take Pride in America:
http://www.takepride.gov/
Help maintain our natural, cultural and historic resources on public lands.

National Youth Service Day:
(mid-April each year)
http://www.ysa.org/nysd
The largest service event in the world, mobilizing millions of young Americans to identify and address the needs of their communities through service

USA Freedom Corps:
http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov
Find service opportunities that match your interests and talents in your home town, across the country or around the world.

Volunteer.gov/gov:
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov
Find ways to volunteer with government at all levels.

Don't just sit there - do something to make a change in your own yard, your community, state, nation, the world. Whether you work locally or globally

you and others will benefit from your efforts.

peacesojourner

April 17h - War Tax Resistance Day

Many Anti War Tax Resisters will gather at the IRS building in Washington, DC today to give away resisted federal taxes to some worthy organizations that are working to alleviate some of the ills of the world. The demonstration is one of dozens around the country being held today on "Tax Day." War Tax Resistance protests have been going on at IRS HQ since the 1960’s.

War Tax Resisters are people of conscience who are saddened by the government's continued presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. In refusing to pay part or all of our federal taxes and re-directing that money, war tax resisters are intentionally violating the law to withhold our support of the illegal, immoral and unjust wars--as well as untold future wars our government may lead us into.

They join together at the IRS to publicly declare that they will not cooperate with our government's policy of advocating and enacting violent responses to international conflict. Not in our names will the U.S. government continue to uphold a military system that all too often threatens and takes lives around the world, while government programs that meet human needs are routinely cut or eliminated.

The current Military Budget is $1.3 trillion

Many of us will continue our war tax resistance until our government prioritizes human needs, peace, and social justice over international aggression, war and violence.

We say “NO” to war with our money. No to the continuing war and occupation of Iraq. No to the war in Afghanistan and no to drone attacks and increased fighting in Pakistan.

We say “No” to billions more dollars buying thousands more deaths and injuries, both military and civilian. There are people and programs that could benefit from a small percentage of the money that is spent by all governments on war.

War Tax Resisters have decided that we cannot wait for governments to end war. We are cutting off our individual connection to war by refusing some or all of the federal tax dollars that fund war.

• Some of us are living on low incomes so as not to pay for war.
• Some of us are refusing $100 in protest.
• Some of us are refusing 100% of any federal income taxes owed.
• If the government won't cut off the funds, we will.
• We mourn the loss of untold numbers of lives that have been lost in these wars.

*****

I am a pacifist and I take comfort in knowing that I do not personally give financially to the war effort. I made the decision to become a War Tax Resister 11 years ago. I deliberately have an income that is lower than the minimum rate before one pays tax. I live a very frugal lifestyle and I take advantage of almost every free cultural event in the community. Life is good.

One of the benefits of being a War Tax Resister is that I meet some of the kindest, compassionate people every day.

*****

"War tax resistance is a way of keeping at the front of my mind the killing and suffering wrought by the government's policies, and of voicing my profound disagreement with those policies."—Juanita Nelson (a War Tax Resister since WWII)

"War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." - John F. Kennedy

6,422 Military Troops from the United States have been

killed in wars since March 19 2003.

peacesojourner

Women's History Month - Peace Pilgrim

Peace Pilgrim

(July 18, 1908 – July 7, 1981)

Mildred Lisette Norman, was a U.S. pacifist, vegetarian, and peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on January 1, 1953. In Pasadena, California, she adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" and walked across the United States for 28 years.

A transcript of a 1964 conversation with Peace Pilgrim from a broadcast on KPFK radio in Los Angeles, California, was published as "Steps Toward Inner Peace". She stopped counting miles in that year, having walked more than 40,000 km (25,000 miles) for peace.

Mildred Norman was born on a poultry farm in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, in 1908, the oldest of three children. Her mother, Josephine Marie Ranch, was a tailor, and her father, Ernest Norman, a carpenter. Although poor, the family were well-thought-of in a community of German immigrants, whose relatives originally settled the area after escaping Germany in 1855.

In 1933 she eloped with Stanley Ryder and moved to Philadelphia in 1939. They divorced in 1946.

Her pilgrimage spanned almost three decades beginning January 1, 1953, in Pasadena, California. The Korean War was in progress. She continued walking for 28 years, spanning the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and beyond. Peace Pilgrim was a frequent speaker at churches, universities, and local and national radio and television.

Expressing her ideas about peace, she referred to herself only as "Peace Pilgrim." Peace Pilgrim's only possessions were the clothes on her back and the few items she carried in the pockets of her blue tunic which read "Peace Pilgrim" on the front and "25,000 Miles on foot for peace" on the back.

She had no organizational backing, carried no money, and would not even ask for food or shelter. When she began her pilgrimage she had taken a vow to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."

Peace Pilgrim was a strict vegetarian and did not use fur, feathers, leather or bone. Peace Pilgrim was an early advocate for tolerance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. She did not believe in discrimination against any human being.

She was awarded the ‘Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award’ -1992

“In order for the world to become peaceful, people must become more peaceful. Among mature people war would not be a problem - it would be impossible. In their immaturity people want, at the same time, peace and the things which make war. However, people can mature just as children grow up. Yes, our institutions and our leaders reflect our immaturity, but as we mature we will elect better leaders and set up better institutions. It always comes back to the thing so many of us wish to avoid: working to improve ourselves.”-Peace Pilgrim

On July 7, 1981, while being driven to a speaking engagement near Knox, Indiana, Peace Pilgrim was killed in an automobile accident. At the time of her death, she was crossing the United States for the seventh time.

After her death, she was cremated, and her ashes were interred in a family plot near Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.

*****

Friends of Peace Pilgrim

Friends of Peace Pilgrim is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to making information about the life and message of Peace Pilgrim available freely to all who ask. Since 1983 they have published and distributed over 400,000 copies of the book, Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words, and over one and a half million copies of the booklet, Steps Toward Inner Peace. Books and booklets have been sent to over 100 countries. The book has been translated into twelve languages and the booklet into over 20 languages.

*****

I have been an admirer of this woman for many years. I keep a copy of her life and quotations on my coffee table for quick reference. Her only possessions were a comb, a toothbrush, a small notebook and a pencil, all of which she kept in the pockets of the tunic which she wore at all times. I often look around my home and imagine how liberating that would be to reduce my possessions to just basic needs. I have tried to down-size and I do lead a relatively simple lifestyle but I admire Peace Pilgrim for being so dedicated to the peace effort as to spend her every waking moment as an advocate for peace. I never met her but I have read accounts of people who were inspired just by being in her presence.

She led a quiet, gentle lifestyle, while having the courage to stand up for her convictions. My kind of person!

peacesojourner

World Water Day - 2012

Today, March 22, 2012, is World Water Day

Most of us have always had access to running hot and cold water and could not imagine life without it. The following paragraph is an excerpt of an article I wrote when I lived in El Salvador, Central America, some years ago.

“I am living in a small room (6’ x 6’) in the local church. I have no TV, no radio, no sink, no phone, and no fridge. Actually, I do have a sink but it is outdoors and I use it to wash clothes and dishes and to store water in daily for use during the times when there is no water available. We do have water on this street but only from 7 am to 11 am every day. (4 hours) and that is not guaranteed. It is actually very liberating washing the body, the clothes and dishes (not at the same time) outdoors in the sunshine. :-) The sink is called a pilar and is very important to the way of life here. One learns to adapt very quickly and as soon as the water is turned on in the morning I hurry to get the very cold water, wash, and get ready for the day.”

While in El Salvador I witnessed many things related to water. I was in a small village outside of Santa Ana and most of the people had no running water. There was a very small waterfall at the end of ‘la linea’ (the railroad line) and the women would bathe there. Washing their hair and showering with their clothing on, while washing their dress at the same time. Then, still wearing the clothing, let it air dry in the sunshine. After this they filled large containers with water and carried them on their head to their homes.

The next village over was Masacua, and all of the people shared one water pump in the center of the village. Later, another more modern water faucet was installed (still only one for the whole village). The entire community turned out for the blessing of the water – giving thanks to God that they finally had clean running water from a deep well. There were no toilets in Masacua at the time I arrived there and a few months later some young men came from Belgium and installed some raised toilets – one for each family. The villagers would chuckle because the toilets were built up high and one had to walk up about eight cement steps to reach it - they were flushed with chemicals and a bucket of water. They named them the ‘tronos real’ (royal thrones).

I witnessed the factories from the United States pumping chemical waste into the local rivers which turned the water dark brown. No concern was given that this was the water that the local people had to drink. I agonized over the fact that in the United States they had to follow environmental safety laws and in Central America there are no such laws and the local children are dying from the contaminated water. I complained loudly to the companies but no one listened. I still feel that if the companies know that their product pollutes the water then they have a moral responsibility to put precautions in place.

In the first weeks that I was there I became very ill from drinking the water and after about two months I decided I would buy bottled water so that I would not get sick again. I'm sorry to tell you that the local people did not have the option to do that and I felt uncomfortable about it but I decided that in order to be effective in my work there I needed to stay healthy.

There was a very ingenious local water site that the men had built. There was a small river in the town from which the men had channeled the water into a swimming pool where the children could play, and the same water was again channeled into about 50 stone community sinks where the women would come and wash their clothes. The wastewater from the sinks was then directed back into the flow of the river. The women would place the clothing on the bushes along the river so that they could dry in the sunshine.

Another common sight was to see men washing daily at a public stone pilar (sink) along the side of the road on their way to work.

I had heard from the women that Health workers from other countries had come to the village to teach the women about the basic hygiene of washing their hands after everything that they do, to prevent the spread of germs. The women explained to me that they felt this was ridiculous as the one heavy container of water that they carried home daily could not be wasted on repeated hand washing.

I could give many more examples. One thing that I learned personally was to value water and when I returned to the U.S. I became very frugal with the use of water. So much so that one day the local Water Department made a visit to my home because they were sure that the water meter must not be working. My bill for several months was only $7. I explained that I had learned how to conserve water while living in Central America. They found it hard to believe but found nothing wrong with the meter. :-)

Friends, according to the United Nations, about 1.4 billion people lack access to clean water and 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation. Because of this, over 9,000 children die daily. Please check out the United Nations website to see what you can do to help.

peacesojourner

Today is International Human Rights Day

Today is known as Human Rights Day or International Human Rights Day.

Eleanor Roosevelt of the United States holding a Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948 in Paris. The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are entitled

Here is an abbreviated list of the Articles passed on 12/10/1948

Article 1 - All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Article 2 - Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. .

Article 3 - Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4 - No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5 - No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6 - Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7 - All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.

Article 8 - Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law

Article 9 - No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10 - Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11 - Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.

Article 12 - No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13 - Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

Article 14 - Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

Article 15 - Everyone has the right to a nationality.

Article 16 - Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family.

Article 17 - Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

Article 18 - Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19 - Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

Article 20 - Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Article 21 - Everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

Article 22 - Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security.

Article 23 - Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

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.

Article 26 - Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.

Article 27 - Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

Article 28 - Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29 - Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

Article 30 - Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

*****

I hope that you will read each Article slowly and let in be absorbed within. All of these beliefs were recorded 62 years ago. Do you think that they have been enforced around the world? It is important for us to remember that they are in place and that we should do everything that we can to be fair to all people no matter who they are or where they live.

December 10, 2011 - International Human Rights Day

peacesojourner

Today is Bloggers Unite - World-Aids-Day

The origin of AIDS and HIV has puzzled scientists ever since the illness first came to light in the early 1980s. For almost thirty years it has been the subject of fierce debate and the cause of countless disagreements, with everything from a promiscuous flight attendant to a suspect vaccine program being blamed. So what is the truth? Just where did AIDS come from?

The first recognized cases of AIDS occurred in the USA in the early 1980’s. A number of men in New York and California suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. At this time, AIDS did not yet have a name, but it quickly became obvious that all the men were suffering from a common syndrome.

The dominant feature of this first period was silence, for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was unknown and transmission was not yet understood. By 1980, HIV had spread to at least five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia). During this period of silence, the spread was unchecked by awareness or any preventive action and approximately 100,000-300,000 persons may have been infected.

In June 1981 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) published a report about the occurrence, without identifiable cause, of rare lung infection Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in five men in Los Angeles. This report is sometimes referred to as the "beginning" of AIDS, but it might be more accurate to describe it as the beginning of the general awareness of AIDS in the USA

Because there was so little known about the transmission of what seemed to be a new disease, there was concern about contagion, and whether the disease could by passed on by people who had no apparent signs or symptoms.

In 1982 we had a family friend who was diagnosed with AIDS. At that time it was a very new disease and no one knew what it was or how you got it, however, it was rumored was that it was a definite death sentence.

Norman was an entertainer, a dancer who also belonged to a local singing group. He was gentle and kind and a lifelong friend to several people. When he was diagnosed he was told that he was going to die and his mother opted to take him to her home. At that time it was an enormous secret if a person had AIDS because no one knew if it was an airborne disease or not. We, his friends, had several discussions about just how supportive we could be without putting ourselves, and our families at risk.

Norman’s birthday was approaching and one of our group, Bernard, insisted that we should give Norman a surprise birthday party. We wanted to go to visit him but we were still cautious. We tried to find out everything that had been printed about the illness. Well we discovered that it was not airborne and that we could not get AIDS from being in Norman’s presence. Bernard purchased a beautiful birthday cake and we purchased paper plates and napkins along with plastic forks and spoons. We knocked on his mother’s door and enthusiastically announced our arrival by singing “Happy Birthday To You”. He was so frail and weak but he managed a giant smile and we spent the afternoon with him. The men who were members of his singing group serenaded him with songs and even did a few dance steps. It is still a ‘happy memory’ day.

The acronym AIDS was suggested at a July meeting in Washington, D.C., AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was first properly defined by the CDC in September 1982, and they published their first set of recommended precautions for health-care workers and allied professionals designed to prevent AIDS transmission.

Still very little was known about transmission and public anxiety continued to grow.

In 1983 it was reported that the cause of AIDS was unknown, but it seemed most likely to be caused by an agent transmitted by intimate sexual contact, through contaminated needles, or, less commonly, by inoculation of infectious blood or blood products. No evidence suggested transmission of AIDS by airborne spread.

In October, the first European World Health Organization (WHO) meeting was held in Denmark. At the meeting it was reported that there had been 2,803 AIDS cases in the USA. By the end of the year the number of AIDS cases in the USA had risen to 3,064 and of these 1,292 had died. Our friend Norman was included in the list of persons who died in 1983.

Our friendship with Norman led me to become an advocate for people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS. I started a support group for teenage children whose parents had died from, or were currently living with, AIDS. These young people could not talk about it to their school friends and were stigmatized by society. The peer group gave them an opportunity to talk it over with some other young people.

The story I related to you happened 29 years ago and I am sorry to say that there is still an enormous stigma that is born by people who are infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. The statistics today are heavy and many people remain ignorant of the disease.

The death toll since the epidemic began in the early 1980s has reached 22 million, including at least 4.3 million children. More than 36 million people worldwide are now living with HIV/AIDS and every month an additional 440,000 people become infected. Approximately 95% of AIDS cases are in the developing world.

HIV/AIDS rivals poverty and war as a threat to the lives of millions of children in the developing world. There are many worthy organizations worldwide that are working towards a cure. I recommend that you to look them up online and see if you can help in some way.

I urge you to learn more about this disease and at the very least, give a person living with HIV/AIDS a smile and a hug. Yes, human contact is important to let a person know that you care.

I have lived in different countries around the world where I learned that education and medications for HIV/AIDS are not available to everyone for a variety of reasons.

This year, on World AIDS Day is is important to support universal access and human rights. Access for all to learn about prevention, treatment, care, and support is key to conquering HIV/AIDS, and is a fundamental human right.

Wont you give it some thought and then make a decision about how you can help in some small way? Please!

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