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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 to 2017dpi VIf J, I Human Rights Commission 2005 -2006 Essay Contest question and Rules 2005 -2006 Essa Contest Question: Stereotyping Prejudice Discrimination how you see these behaviors in your daily life an bow they are related to each other. What can you and others to combat these action G ive examples that you have experienced or heard about. Include the Bill of Ri of he U Constitutlo the Universal Declaration of H Rights and the Minnesota Human Rights Act in your thinking in about these robl g eras. �13 lissa Rothman First Place RAMS Gra -de Mr. Lauinger flumanRights Essay When I was younger, I thought everyone was nice. I believed the world was just like Sesame Street; people treated each other in a friendly, considerate way and were happy to meet and talk to others. I was living in a fairytale world. As I becarne older and went to school, learned about racism and stereotyping. Even then, I thought those wicked things were far away. I was in a protective bubble; discrimination and prejudice only happened somewhere else, to people I didn't know. On August 2, 2005, any safety bubble popped. A few blocks fern nay house, a man's car was vandalized. For three days, notes containing racist remarks about his appearance and ethnicity were put on his front door. Community leaders spoke in f avor of actions that never had seemed necessary before. All of us were shaken; hoer could such shameful acts have occurred in a friendly little city like Falcon eights` Stereotyping and racial discrimination are important national. issues. A few months ago, New "fork City police began to search passengers on the subway. Officials said the searches were necessary to prevent a terrorist attack. Some people said the police should be extra careful with riders who look like they cone from the fiddle East. Is it a good idea to focus on a single. group that is seen as the main demographic for terrorists, or is it racial profilin g A man who is searched on his way to work in New York just because of his appearance will feel as threatened and unwelcome as my neighbor did in Falcon heights. We would be better off if we concentrated on suspicious behavior, instead of skin color or the clothes someone gears. The Bill of Rights protects individual liberties against unfair government action. For example, the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. It should p rcvent the New York City police from searching or arresting subway riders because of their physical appearance. Other amendments in the Bill of Rights also defend the rights of persons who are accused of crimes. The First Amendment is particularly important to human rights, because it protects the freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly. This constitutional amendment allows Americans to speak and believe what we errant. But life the rest of the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment only limits what the government can do. It does not prevent stereotyping or discn*mination by individual citizens. That is a problem, because people everywhere make judgments much too quickly about others and take actions based on race, ethnicity, religion, or physical appearance. Where are newspaper articles daily about discrimination and violence in the U.S. and other countries that result from stereotyping and prejudice. It is important for middle schoolers life me to be aware of what is happening in other parts of the world, but we have to remember that similar problems exist closer to home. The Minnesota Human Rights Act helps prevent discrimination where we live. Unlike the Bill of Rights, the Human Rights Act does not apply Just to the police or other government officials. The Act prohibits discrimination by employers, landlords, schools, and banks and ether businesses. foaling with prej udice in Minnesota is especially important now, because the population of our state is ganging rapidly. More members of racial and ethnic minority g rou s live here than ever before. Members of these groups are more likely to be the victims of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. The Minnesota Duman Rights Act strengthens the human rights of all who live in this state, but it does not apply in lots of situations involving people my age. Many teenagers do not bother to learn what someone is like under the skin. We would rather judge others by their N C lothing or athletic ability. Appearances can make or break you in the middle school social world. Some teens decide who will become. their friends, which classmates to avoid, and even who they will bully, just because of what they see on the outside. .dust a few days ago, we had free time for a game in school. We chose a. hall game. N one was required to play., but most of the class did. After a round was finished, one girl asked if she could have the ball for a minute before we started again. One sloe. got the ball., she glanced quickly at another girl who had been sitting and reading the whole time. Then she threw the hall as hard as she could right at the sitting girl. "Oh, sorry, it was an accident," she said, but the whole class knew she was lying. When I asked the girl why she had done that, she insisted that it was finn All the girls at our table told her that it wasn't close to funny, and she replied, "Well, have you e en. looked at what she wears? And I het she picks her nose." This prime example of prejudice, almost sickening to watch, happened right in m classroom. The Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the e qual and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world." How can we Live up to those lofty words when we cannot even respect people who share the same zip code? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not a law. It is a set of principles for all nations and persons to follow. Because it states urtiversal principles, the Declaration is just as important to human rights as the Bill of Rights and Minnesota Human Rights Act. Unless we male respect, fairness, and freedom part of our lives, we will nearer solve the p roblem of discrimination in the United States, Minnesota, or Roseville Area Middle School. Can this world be the peaceful place we all want it to be Can we ever end discrimination? Or is thinking this way just like believing in fairy tales? Maybe be our world can 3 be that fairytale, but only if we put our stereotypes behind us, stop before we prejudge others, and speak out against discrimination when we see it in our classrooms and neighborhoods. We don't need a Sesame. Street life, just mutual respect. If we make human rights our number one priority, this fairy tale will turn out to be real. Autry Cartelli Second Place RAMS Grade Mr. Ueland Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination are directed at many different groups of people in our world. I chase to write about how these actions are used against gays and lesbians. I chase to write about this topic because I have a personal connection, my parents are lesbians. I am proud to have lesbian parents; it gives me a different look at the world. These are some examples of how people stereotype gay and lesbian people. Some people think that gay men are feminmeand very happy. Some people also think that when you're gay your house is very decorative. With lesbians, some people assume that they are manly and that they love power tools. Also, people think that they love to do the work that is supposedly meant for men, like carpentry and building things, People are prejudice against gay and/or lesbian people by saying that they don't like the way they look or act. Some people might not want to be associated with gays and lesbians. Some religions believe if you are gay or lesbian you will go to hell. Some adults say that if you are gay or lesbian they don't want you to teach or interact with their chid. People also call gay and lesbians bad and rude names. If you are a child who is gay or lesbian, some kids might not want to play with you or be your friend. Here are some of the ways that people discriminate against gays and lesbians. If you are gay or lesbian you and your partner are not allowed to legally marry in the U.S. The United Nation has adopted t Declaration of Human R One of things that it states is that ""Men and women of full age, without any limitation to race, nationality or religion have the right to marry and found a family. They are entitled to equal right as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution." It doesn't say that women have to marry men; it just says that men and women should be aloud to be legally married. The U.S. has not adopted this declaration. The Bill of Rights doesn't state that marriage is between a man and a woman. There is a movement to amend the Bill of Rights and define marriage as only between a man and a woman. This issue will probably end up in the Supreme Court with in the new couple of years. Since my moms are lesbian they had worries that other parents didn't have. one of the things they worried about was if other bids would tease me because they were lesbian. I have been very lucky and have not been teasel because I have 2 moms. They also had to worry about how other parents and neighbors might treat our family. When my parents meet new people, they have to explain that they are lesbians. On our summer vacation to Ely I met new kids about my age, one girl was 7 and the other one was I2. Their r parents and my moms were talking and their mom said "Are you two sisters My mom said "No we're partners." "Like business partners their dad said. "No," replied my other mom "we're life partners." Also the kids said "So which one of you is her mom My parents said that they both were. Then the younger sister said "Haw does that work My mom Andrea is my basketball coach. When we get new players she has to explain that she and my other mom Diane are lesbians. She tells them that because some people don't like the idea of having their child around a lesbian or gay person. So as you can see lesbian and gay parents have to worry about things other parents don't. In my opinion lesbian and gay parents have a harder fife for their kid. Also, they might have it harder then some people or parents think they have it. I think that stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination are related because they are mean and harmful ways of acting and thinking. They are also all a way of hurting someone emotionally and/or physically. These behaviors are also related to each other in a personal way. In my opinion if you do one or more of these behaviors you are just pulling yourself lower and lower. Sooner or later people might do these things to you. To help prevent these behaviors from happening, you can obviously not do these things. But you can also tell other people about stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination and why they are dad things to do. Another thing you can do, if you see or hear someone doing these actions, is take a stand and tell them to stop. If they don't stop, then go to a responsible adult you trust and tell them about what you have seen. So I hope you can see that stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination are harmful things to do, to any group of people. Some gay and lesbian people may have these behaviors directed at them everyday. I think that people should just accept everyone, for who they are and respect what path they have chosen. Everyone �s different and has something to contribute to the world. Just think how boring the world would be, if everyone was the same. f Julia Strauss Third Place P RAMS Grade sl i mmons Human Rights Essay Although stereotyping, prejudice,, and discrimination can be discussed in many areas, such as race, religion, or economic status I am choosing to concentrate ray essay on hove these negative attitudes and actions occur in relation to disabilities. I made this decision because I have a physical disability (spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular disease.) and feel that I have the most to say about this particular area. Because I use a wheelchair, I any going to base most of nay examples on nay oven observations of how many able odied eo p le react when they see someone using a wheelchair. hair. one common g eneral stereotype is that people thin. k those who use a wheelchair are somehow very different From other people, so much so that they couldn't ossibl p y have the same interests or needs as themselves. More s pecifically, I think stereotypes such as people in wheelchairs rust have incredibl boring and limited lives,. or "they all need a great deal of help f" are pretty common. However, the one that bothers rye the most is "they're all mentally challenged as well as physically challenged... Prejudices that relate to these stereotypes are feelings. such as All feel sorry for those people, "I.m uncomfortable around them," or "It would be a lot of work to be friends with someone like that —I'd probabl have to help then all the time, The discrimination I have noticed is not the kind that might spring to mind at first--things life being denied employment nt or refusal to rent an apartment. I'm thinking of actions that are more subtle, but still hurtful. Behavior like staring at a person in a wheelchair, minimizing in what the say as somehow less important, or not including them have the effect of saying that they are less valuable than other people. Sometimes a result from the people that feel sorry for those i n w heelchairs is speaking in an overly s y m pa thetic or senti may. One day when I w about four years old nay dad took m e to a local playground. A lady who was there with another child navy nee and started saying things to dad like The poor angel! She' so sweet!" Peop will also touch you when they wouldn"t touch an able bodied person. I heard about a case w here a politician running for office literally pa tted a woman in a wheelchair on the head! The point I would like to make is that sometimes stereotyp prejudice, and discrimination can be deceiving; at first they night app "just being nice." For e one stereotype I have experienced is the belief that if you are in a wheelchair, you are somehow "childlike no natter what age you actually are. This can lead to the a that the person must need a great deal of help, followed by the discrimination of providing help (especially in the tone of voice that's usually used for thr eye r odd b -fore there' been any real indication it v as needed, I think there's a difference between asking if help is needed and just goin ahead and doing it. The question of what to d o about these feelings and actions is complicated. I do fool that the w schools are organized now (inclusion is much better than when kids with disabilities were all grouped in one segregated school. To nee, the basis for most negative stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination is fear of something or someone. that is unfamiliar. To combat that, the first step is obviously that you have to actually know s omeone with a disability. For example, the kids that I have been to school with since kindergarten usually treat rye more na turally than kids I' ve just reset or adults who did not grog up close to anyone w ith a disability. Another w that inclusion is effective is that just by doing well in y classes, both regular and accelerated, I help to counteract some of the stereotypes I've mentioned. Being able to think of a peifi x f: individual you know w ho uses a wheelchair but can also handle Honors Social Studies is probably much more effective than a spe about hoer to treat others. One factor that sometimes gets in the way of more equal treatment is the cost of renovations. For example, ple, in schools that were built before the days when students with disabilities were included elevators tend t o be tucked away in a far corner of the building. Sometimes entering church or restaurant involves rolling through a alley and coming in the back door past a storeroom. Although no discrimination was intended it sometimes feels like the days when Africa n Ame.ric ns had to use separate entrance because. of segregation. One document that deals with this issue of public accommodations is the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Statute 363A .11 states that "it is a unfair discriminatory practice for a place of public accommodation not to make reasonable accommodation to the known physical disability of disabled person.' For example., one year my family and I visited Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. There w no elevator, so although I could see the rain floor, I couldn�t get to the upper floor. I think it would have qualified as "reasonable" to add a n elevator. (Although they did show video filmed upstairs,, it wasn't quite the sane.) Two other documents seem to nee to deal more with the reasons we believe that all people should be treated equally. The Universal Declaration of Human fights states in its preamble that ""the p of the United Nations have In the Charter reaffirmed their faith in the dignity and worth of the human person Xr Lastly, the B ill of Rights has two amendments that I thinly can be applied to disabled people. Amendment I says Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment v states that ono person shall be deprived of life, liberty,, or property.{ These amendments were actually used as the basis for a suit against a courthouse in Tennessee that was totally inaccessible. If a person cannot enter a courtroom either to defend themselves r bring an action, they do not have the ability to titio the go vernment or have full liberty. I really enjoy this topic and of course much more could be written on it, but these are some of the points I felt it was most important to make. Sarah Augustin Ho norable. M u i n RAMS Gra MS6 Simmons I �A "Mean preps", 'Woman don't belong i ,t x are o ffice the. kitchen is rear the befog. Fie s e a gay look just his shirt, and list to his voice:" O ur society is based stereoty We stereotype. tereotypo. varios gro of people. P eople are categori in roe of hoer they act dress, look, our ethnic so many other things. Us and 1 people tend to place their eers i categories witho a a p to these actually getti t �o� each other. «'s impressions a "wrong bayed o first p d ghat seems to be "right or d B ut, really, what i right? An d hat i s rrong My fingers tapped against the wooden desk in M* Le-ins classroom. it was seventh hoer, 5 min until the bell. J 5 more min of this suspense. m ixture of im and fear sw ar m ed through my head as the clock ticke I had never experienced such a l o ng five m in u tes! Mainly because 1 eras S I was w orried that under any minute, there was the chances. of bei cab. It wo only take one p erson that was there, one p erson that gar r the police to know it was I who had stolen the dab top from room 43 1. Qu ickly, I glanced up at e clock. The hour hard was al set t one �r�ute rea�r��n f stacked boobs and lightl lifted y back pack p t not to damage the $9000 dollar co resting inside. As I w about to leave the rooms, a voce echoed through school on the fond speaker. ors. fake (ease core o the p office, we have information on the stolen l bt. After that, fey sto l I co help but w onder if they kn it was rye: I had deft no traced And after a ll, I was a w boy wi no bad recor ��d probably be the fast arson t they d suspect. Just to rake sure I towards the office to. et t headed {ma�yy■■ g scoop leaving ra boots and bag behind M ear P ,t o h othe r side of the door. f tried to icy as mu p p of their conversation as s possible. Not once, did f hear name. of a with l� For a while, I y it. I said to myself, but i a whisp as relieved, until f heard the name Marcus 19 I' th i n king arcs Granger stoke it r on e o h is friends at feast.. I mean he's the only one that looks like he'd do s that.;) so mething ���e M r a s dropped after that was said. arc tray fry pp y end, he d. never do anything like at a��, the that �r�ras�i t like her a nd ft conversation rasn"t. over, I pushed a agai nst harden so f could fear eve p the door every word of what eras. said. "There's only one e far from the man s p a u sed. "1... differe p ack ground; he's black, The man finished his sentence hesitance, he sounded furious. ce with f coldn't b eliev e one o my hest frie was going to get bared for something f had done. end the w orst �t vas r ,the only reason Marcus was suspected for this act of crime, was cause of his skin color, or ethnicity! y "Extr conse will be s orted for Mr. gager on r#hr notice. The voice of the man s gorse and worse every t ime heard i. "Maybe, we cold j take away is baggy "dew g� and clear rag. Another voce added. Everyo in the roof chckled at b that. I rem ained silent wi h ead faci down Wh ha ve I done? I thought to m What was going to happen to Marcus.? I pressed harder against the door listening �ng in. All h I co hear was �o sto closer aid o�oser. r creaked t door p. Stan ri abov t g e e was Mr.. Watford, the assistant hello fir. fa r�er trying pri get a head start o the case's h we're. i search deep it apt thugs thief, the e. �r what cold do w you ears. he mile his friendly" his dimples smile, his dace. c on each side of ouldr t help but think to m self that 1 acne er w e're searching for the hetto an w what h me he m eant g g rho stoke i. cell, good l on ghat, we can use all the help �e need. lllfr. aord p atted r. a he b M �erc�� dr ift ing w as dr��tr�g the once. Mr. Gran Mr. Pat called down he hail. (arcs tired around with confusion. "Get down!" Slowly 11 arc m elted to the door. What s going on?" Marcus qu estioned. I cold see the fear in his eyes. Mr. Patford was mumbling himsel e�. h� yo u Egger' ra���r� aro thinking you stead wha tever r�dt rer you feel lik not today, Mr. Grang Not ��oSlowly, tears beg to build g day p in Marcus s eyes. coldr t happening right before belie what was g eyes, Yet, I just stood there as if log'. Th was era were a burp n I vas going to stick around and watch humiliate best �r� Watford st friend any longer though, there was s I headed n othing could d abort ded tOWards the b ack door. As. I took art step ou 1 to one �oo� back, Marcus, �nres lying on the y g ground, in tears. the police. cars were pulled op along side. the curb. had to get out as soon as. !could right as f was about to step up onto the bus it hit me.. ley bag and boobs were e l�� r�g y hour classro still. 1 turned around and darted back into the school and dog the steps, as I approachedthe doorway Of Ms. Leins classroom, there she was waiting for me with m bag in her hands. left this behind." She told m cal Thanks. f pottered, and grabbed it from her hands, the Bag seemed ligh than before so �r g ter s missing. The lab4op had been taken out. stopped, l turned my head heart up,. and Ms. Leans stood there, with the co i her hands. pater set "ou'e got a dot of e to do:"' S said, sternly. Before I cold sa word, she grabbed my ar and dragged rye back up to the office. the time �re� got theis Marc was already y y agai ore of the p cars, with his hands locked behind his back. "You ha it all wro Let the p oor b bo y go. Ms. Leins exclai the dashed over to where Marcus !ay in pain ag ainst the hood of the car.. I loo away. ISO, it waS yoU?'TJ Mr. Pafford asked me In astonishment. The onl thin I could do w nod. "Huh, f never would have exp ected that from pip yon i R ight. er, something �h��. bout, And race, is o one of the man kinds of discri Often ti peo 4 are stereo t by t heir reoe. I this story you just reed, o reed about ho the average rhite, r�r� has i perfect. Nobody gold Sus i o any cri "Men Prs'y "dumb ioc 99 d epressive Go 0, "gr�g�� ter h o look Ot a ll f these f b els. ire w ord media, with no thou at all. s d that have been put together by the F or one day, forget about the labels, and at ht's inside o p erso n ooh A s you can pl see, our society y d� to forge, that everybody is di ffe ren t, where h_/ /r re .Air000 is, is on the i e yet, got noti until you g et to know the person well e to se e it. Elise Kendall H onorable Mention RAMS Grad Mr. Lauinger Hilman Rights Essay St p reju d ice, and di s c ri min ation things th many peopl mixed although they are each ry difrcnt. These are actions a e�� onl be l earned. We weren't s that can owing hove to stereotype, t p rejudi ce o discriminate against people. even to Stereoty is when you have S generalized belief or o about something. oty�g �s something so comm Ong. ode use �t everyday without even reco zin g it. you may not even be aae ghat o out tcah�g socone to stereot This year I net a gi that didn't like e caul fought �e u�� I don't think for her to jud rr�e cam ors my political beliefs a� age 1�. �'h.en o� Poli beli Svc sec e� toy acne �nd�s} you still be her friend b elie v e in Reuliau ��eas you did e any differ o eon For the last two years, I had the o o Common g to called ro�ct Grounds. �e teamed with an inner .1 cry school �r� fit. u. but goal was to create a conmon gr that is based on our similarities differen We wat novae where they would shoes us a pictur �i person and we to gate them o envy looked. Then �d or ���e about �hcn we rated them cidn't nov that stereo c people d again. until that moment. If I had nee 'nose if I roue nor that I was never watc that judging people s much on their appear l that stercoty�n can one mac. I also o�n anYwher at home, school church Anyone can stereotype, even teachers and med dot of peo es in mi and Inc school thin that all Afri A merican and Hispanic �spanic cod hour be "gh etto" c� They shou always ar clothes an really pare about their a b aggy gh e tto i nclu d ing also des, sea sung, ono dot o act ght�o whites. know ode that o� a dot of and �s cod that aren't "'ghe because the amc have �r� shin odor doesn't rr�e they should autornat�ca�� ca��e that hat. You c your own actions aearance and ou choose your own to live your life should not a #u d Pei ru�d�e when song judgment anyone else. Bone makes a about another erson knowing anything about then. W 4 w When the eighth graders walk �hro n� call f1ra s ve I any in through lockers they'll we seventh grade but they r�othin ens walk through them` locke "eighties ju about us and not like hers and ca�� thcm e� tie that s they rc u on the f �e re a year younger than then. The act are treating me as if I am n as smart as them as ��1��. They l that I am dots of friends. person that likes mu l art and have fiscrinnation is something that people g pie as y aginst a ern r There are o that say they won't discriminate People aye. hens o their stn but then turn around and refuse to help or talk to someone because they are fat nerdy, or unpopular. I don't think people realize that they are discriminating rx�e an maybe someo took the chance t get to know nerd he would fmd out they hav something in common. Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination are all related to eac other. All three of these actions create a chain reaction of hatred and misunderstanding. dmg. If one person could stop stereotyping then less people would be discriminated an les pe ople w ould be labeled with unfair names like nerd or geek. By taking a stand to made a change, one individual can teach through positive example how to show acceptance. eptance. I think the best way to combat these activities is to sun stop. p I' someone stopped making negative generalizations for one weed and made the conscious effort to meet someone who they have always labeled, I feel risin changes in the he atatm would happen. I think that people need tot harder to not alwa act like some is picking a fight or being all sensitive all the tine. If peop started to gust smile at someone and not rudely Mare. It's a lot harder to he prejudice to an individual p dial when y ou're being nice to others or killing therm with kindness''. I learn all the time at school that it's wrong to make fan of eo p plc because of their race, looks, or how they talk. Even the newspaper the have articles about how someone was killed because they wore the color blue and that's a an color the neighborhood. If the people that killed others would use the negative energy to serve human kind then our world would be a much safer and more eautifal place. It would be a place where would not look out only for our own need bu t rather the seeds of all. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights created b the United Nations, says whereas d isregard and contempt for human is have re sulted salted i barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common peop just p p I think about .osa darks who vas a tired black woman who `ust wanted to home on the bus qtr a long day. This one woman's tiny voice that refused to ive her seat g p for one white ma, changed America forever. She wanted freedom and to bee teal. Her race e and sex should have not made a difference. Her one voice was the beginning of America's g a civil rights movement. She recently passed away and her contribution to the Civil Ri is being honored at the White Mouse in Washington D.C. If it only ook one voice to start the Civil Rights movement, then, only one voice should be able to beg in to end re'udic stereotypin and di urination Anybody can be that voice. The United Nations just celebrated their o birth a It stand s for peace m universal language. Its go is to unify th human race and to tear down the misconceptions and mistrust that ha been develope over er ce p nturie It se rves as a reminder that we, as the human race, are all created equal and we are all one fam To stop and think ab our actions is difficult. I give credit t o stand up for their beliefs. Middle school is a hard age to to e dif I dope I a brave enough to stand up and say stop. I hope my actions are a odes f others. I know that one person is able to make a big c Visuals just e got oue person but five people or ten people stood up and said stop. I a p people could get their fiends to stand up and say stop, and then they could g et their they friends to stand up and say stop soon a chain reaction has begin. Instead of buildin the walls and bein afraid of the unkn own, we have begun to reach out and get t know our neigh and rejoice in our own unique qualities. None of this can happen in one dad or eves i year. Trying to stop something this big could take a lifetime. If thi world ever wants peace then discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping has to end. The h only way we can rake a step to ending all these problems is to e i with ours g elf and hope others Will follow in your footsteps. Carson Koepe Honorable Mention RAMS Grade Simmons Human Rights Essay Stereotyping, pre udice, and discrimination. These three actions breed the worst of human behaviors. Collectively they mean; ar ud men o action in di sregard sregarc of one's rights, a prejudged view. They lead to racism and to hatred. hate powerful f can lead to wishing for the death of another. To me the are the basis for people's hurt and in justice. They are the very cause for the reed of ""Human l htsJ'V For millennia, people have suffered from the actions of other people who committed injustices. hristlanity Islam, and Judaism the three religions t hat sprouted from Abraham, have obsessively hated each other for centuries. They have fought war after war with each other, disregarding ost human rights In the g process. The most f amo of these wars were the Crusades. Darla the 2 and 13th cent European Christians fought with Muslims for control of the of Lard. movie called ""Kingdom of Heaven"' is a great historical fiction story of the Crusade gives a fairly accurate portrayal of what life was lie during the period of the first crusade. T hese were bloody, ruthless wars where human rights were virtually nonexistent. stern. They treated each other like 'dogs' and man heads left their bodies. This filled age was filled rrth all sorts of re rdice and discrimination. Life was hard sad and short. My church Pastor recently took a trip to Israel. W hen she returned a fe w eeks later she had many ar story to tell. Most eo le p robably kn about the p p deadly confli occurring there today, but It is substantially different to hear about i firs Hatred was openly shown by the Jews for the Palestinians, and vice versa. The Mus of the surrounding countries would dearly love to push Israel Into the sea het the J ews have the upper hard. one example ple of the racism in Israel was when m pastor and her tour group were trying to enter an important holy building. The Jews who were standing guard refused to let the Palestinian- Americans, w ho w ere Christian to enter wi the group. Generally, thre living conditions of P lestinian eo le there are horrible. p p One of the ways that the Palestinians feel hie can fight hack ag ainst the Jews sui g i's surrde bombings. don't even reed to list off the international laws or human rights violations to tell you that all of this is definitely wron When I was on r trip to Disney World a fear weeks ago there was a cris rs rrr the D e t roit airport. over the intercom carne a voice s that there wa a security breach. They would not give any details. We were told that all flights we re dlad until farther notice. We were on our plane ahead so fi gured that it was ars no big deal and the delay would he over ,soda. has 1 ron oug�hy ►r�rr�at dater the vo care aback on the intercom and announced that the terminal the whole t erminal, ne e d ed to b e evacuated immediately, and everyone is the airport was supposed to go thr security a second time. We had to coo just that, aH 25 of as at the air po rt It was excruc tingr y fra tratin and seemed almost not worth the trouble. t wa be of a giant case of arranoia• Three hours later we took fligh ht. fina Apparently a women had mistakenly grotter through security nchecked and TSB (the air fort po lice) could not find her. This incident made rye realize how obsessed with security �ty we ready are in the United States. Even at D isney world I could feel the sense of p re j udice and mistrust. At the entrance to every theme ark ou have to stand is a li e to get your hags or carried items checked by police ju st like at the airp Si 1 we are actually afraid of being blown up on a plane or being killed a terr y oast. Even our government was so obsessive that they started a "filar on Terror Yet as a society we do not ask ourselves why people in other parts of the world hate us so m than they are w illing to give their lives to kill Americans. This war on terror lead to a war is Iraq, which had virtually thin in crraorr with the terrorist group rho struck A merica ors Did we end Wea of Mass Destruction No! ,So we changed It to a war for "Freedom But consequ errty, over 100 ,000 people, by some reports, have died in Iraq. Many were innocent byst caught in a crossfire of political poorer struggl May w e should change the name to the ""War of Eternal F reedom"! or better et, the "'War for More Oil srrrce we have recently used up half of the world's estimated supply o this fossil fuel and Iraq is said to still have a horde. 1 personally don t think that the United Mates ove rn merrt r cares about the individual people of Iraq The need to control oil resource seems more important to the Bush dr inistration. That's ghat call discrimination! B y the w th U nited States has probably broken International law by invading the c try rarl without adequate provocation. The United .States Military roke arc% 5 of the U niversal D eclaration of Human Rights by torturing helpless Iraqi prisone 1 believe we also b roke Article 12, because thousands of Iraqi p eople were subjected to ar interference with their Privacy family, and or correspondence; rtrc% because many people were restricted from the freedom to move around or leave them ovum ..country, and especially Article 30 by performing accts aimed at the destruction o rights and freedoms started in other, previous Articles• is our r srgnarture u the Universal Declaration of uman i s no sacred? Eves o us and our counr W ell, if riot, It should be! Yet our ov ernmen does not sera to care. F inally, people in the United States are protestin th i s f wa in face rr here ire a rirr lies over i sc and col st uden t s wal out of cusses last week to exclaim to the world that the know this war is wrong. This talk of protests brings us to France, where this week peop are io %r�% protesting French racism against I'm migrant ran Muslims and Africans. For years a Fren a�iscrrrtrrrraeal a g a inst forei irrrrlrarrs a J ew, u r th eir g o v e rnment is b eing stood up to. Through the ages stereotypi prejudice and discri mination have never seemed to end, but fife goes on and dope is on the horizon. a can v� d as rralrrda mace a brighter future for ai p eople? We can be volunteers deers rr our ova c ommun iti es t improve human ri condi W can iden our ur ow s and p rejudices and try to change. We can vote for leaders who suppo h uman ri issu We can contact our congressio gal represe r a Lives acrd ex exp ress our vie We ca rrr s. others o peacefully protest unjust actions or policie Let us hop and pry for inspiration to end human rights violations forever. salam Alaikum. (Peace be with you) I Try T Human Rights Commission 2006 -2007 Essay Contest question and Rules Essay Contest Ouestion: Reflect on what you. have. learned about immigration to United States.- Contributions of immigrants to the USA in years past and today, Treatment /mistreatment of immigrants past and present. Historical background of responses to immigrants (laws &policies). Your own experiences. Write your thoughts on all or some of these questions: Do people have a human right to Live wherever they choose on this earth? Why or why not? 'What recommendations do you have regarding the current controversy surrounding immigration to the United States? Include thoughts on: How should the Universal Declaration of Human lights, the Bill of Rights and the Minnesota Human Rights Act affect Immigration Policies? Contest OT)en To,, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade students living or attending school. in the Roseville area. All entries are to be. based on the Universal. Declaration of Human Rights, the Bill of Rights and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Lem of Essa Up to three pages in length. Essa s Judaed On: Content and composition. Form; Fill in the attached form and staple it to back of the essay. Do not write your name on the franc of the essay. C l- 8 G rade RAMS Mr. A rea. Human Ri Essay 4/0 T o some people, the word immigration signifies p fresh tart to life. for others, the word immigration strikes fear into the center of the heart. Some are rem of a paw past, and others wonder what immigration does to help Americ With immigration comes an endless wave of estions and qua yet answers are rarely reached. I believe the main question people will often find crossing their mi is th How greatly does immigration really benefit the U.S.? Our nation wouldn't be what it is today without the ire infl o immigrants. Therefore, lot is somewhat i rope that the issue of 'mmi tl gra raising s eontrversy. After all, o 1.5 percent Of th e S. o elation today y s or iginal N at i ve A mer i can roots (U.S. Census Bureau News, June 9, 2005 Even so did Native Ame n also have to migrate here from other lards` Irl theory, not a single ale souk on this earth i eligible to call themselves 100% Ame can, because no on trey is. I have lived here i the U.S. all my life, a s have my parents and their parents, But that does nothing to change the fact that at a point in our farnl l sto eat y r' ran€lpaerrt passed thr Ellis Island. One came here to escape eomrnunism i y gosjavia, and an came for better job opp ftniti s and a chance to own his own lard. At what post can someone call him or herself an American. There are many ways that immigrants enhance our count They con t the rieh diversity of our nation. emigrants give our citizens s rre Ala and perspectives of how to d things, and in some ways the bring different y groups of people together. America is known for all of our different ethnie roe s an p immigrants help deep the d ifferent ethnieities fl owing. We could all lean a lot fr om immigrants. Some help our economy b taking up the jobs that no one wants, and for less money too. In spite o p o p u l ar befie not aH mi=gr ants tie the job labor and miniscule pay. Four out of t a six households on my block are ore to eole who immigrated from ChiDa, -a, South Africa Viand. These peo curre hold gobs ranging from professional musiciaDs in tile Mnne sta Orc to com p rogrammers for banks. Where would the U.S. be without their valua ale contutiou to our count? Others help our economy by sharing umque Professional sly skills s and arts, Take Albert Einstein, for example. He ffium ate to this country from Ger and opened the rinds of millions of scientists to new and im discoverie Witho him, wh ere would we e` Another example of an individual i sculpting America is Levi Strauss, who also emigrated from G ermany. His jeans ins hundreds of fashion designers around the U.S. and proved used to many peo I n addition to all the positive things that come with gration, mere are also some negative aspects. If we allow every person that Wishes toe in the U.S. to enter our borders, our country would become cong ested. The ever g growing problem o p ollution would escalate, and we would he forced to expand dour areas into the 5 wilder ess. Over the years, our coin would become less ss axed less d where would People emigrate to next. At what point do we draw the lie on how many peo can come to our country` To some, the answer would seem simple: Why not Just control the amount o People who can come into our borders` But sadly, plan does oe not control the amou o illegal immigrants in our nation.. As of March 2004 there ere mere an estimated numb of ill immigrant acc to the Star Tun, gage A 10 October 7. 2 This number was far greater than the 40 000 immi grants w e the U.S. l men asked my opinion o what we could do to co ntrol this pro I w sad that the U.S. should try helping ether countries rather than turnin their peo away. if the oditio, for Iiig and working in o c es mere better their peo there road be less of a dead for them to immigrate. B he l p i n g other peo we odd b egin to help orsele. We co seed org a n i z ati on s ors lik the eaee CorPs out to the areas of co un tri es w living is ro and pay is low. We cold supply the with rh water and food for their family and education for adults a ehidren. I believe t while we all have different ideas on �tfity, homer children sod be ta food should be prepared clothes sold be nor, and how l s be lid, we are still all in this w together. er. erhas, like glo war and other enirorimeW uses immigration sho be thought of as a goad issue and seeds to e addressed as such. Accordmg to the Declaration of uma Ri gts, article I "ITo one shall e arbitrarily deprived f� his nat�o al n or d t eyed the right to cage his n ationalit y Who are we to deny them of is right? t ft to to stye together, and stay together. One country alone eaRnot tackle this p robl em. We all come from different backgrounds yet we are all still It �s not up t one group of people t o decide who should live where. If a w case en to examine the evidence e1 sel they would see that none of u would be who we are today without immigrants. econd Place Ellie Krien e 7 Grade RAMS Ashk Mr. Lauinger 7 Human Ri Immigrants from around the world have been coning to the United States for hundreds of years. They come to escape poverty, hunger, discrimination, war; the list goes on and on. For years now, immigration has been a solution. for some people. It allows them to receive equal rights, an income, and overall a better life, However, immigration has raised p roblems for America and its legal citizens. fn order to solve some of the immigration problems involvin the g United States, I believe that immigration laws should be enforced on U.S. immigrants. Roberto Martinez, the director of .S /Mexican Border Program,, believes that the presence of American troops will cause more problems for the U.S and Mexico. He explains in a Motion Magazine Interview that Representative Jim Tra icant Introduced legislation to bring 10,000 troops to California. That doesn't even include the 5,000 border patrol agents that are on the Mexican o rdcr, approved by congress recently. Martinez believes that this is a bad decision because it will interrupt movc ent, and that it will interrupt free trade. I disagive, because having lots of protection on the border allows fairness to both American citizens, and immigrants that are legally applying to be a citizen of America. At the same time, human rights are bein g resp ected; immigrants who apply legally, will have a better chance than an illegal im ant does when it comes to living in this country. Once imm igrants get into this country, they need jobs. Because the amount of good j obs is already taken by Americans, lesser educated immigrants are left with the dirtier, lesser paid jobs that Americans don "t want. when immigrants are hired to do those jobs, they are often paid less money than an American born citizen would make on the same job. Some people may argue this to be discrimination, or against the immigrants' human rights. This is a problem, however most immigrants with low class jobs do not complain or ask for a raise because their income is more that likely higher than what it was in their previous country. In my opinion, generalizing immigrants as one class of people is sort of like generalizin Americans. It is an impossible thing to do. However, it appears that Knowing English and havin g a good education make a difference in how immigrants succeed in Arnenea. For example, Y sister's doctor is a legal immigrant from South Africa, and extremely well educated. M friend's dad is another example. He is an educated engineer, and he legally emigrated from Sweden. These two people have greatols, and know perfect English. Then there are the people who are legal immigrants that barely know how to speak English. They appear to he low income and most likely struggle in their new homeland. All three examples are of legal immigrants and yet their view of America is probably much different. The biggest human rights issue today in America., is the act of illegal immigration. f believe that human's have a aright to live wherever they want to on Earth, but e er thin g has to be legal, and laves should be enforced. A current controversy in Congress right now is an idea that the U.S should a]Io v illegal imm1grants live here, and require them to pay our taxes. I think that this is extremely unfair to those who wait gears to come here, but now they can not, because some people are illegally running across the border. Illegal immigrants should not be any exception to consequences of breaking our laws. Imagine the life of Ritu, a girl who struggles her days in Bangladesh. Because she has to take care of her brother's and sister's, she has no education. She has tried to apply for a visa, but the American Embassy tells Ritu that because of the amount of room in America, It will he at least 8 years before she could get in. Now, imagine a poor family living in Mexico. They have no job, a chance for an education, or money. Surviving is a struggle, and as they look at Texas on the other side of the river, they imagine a better life. The family kDo s that applying for a visa could be impossible, so they sneak into America illegally. Because millions of illegal immigrants are taping up space, the people who are w aiting in line to get into America for years have a. slim chance. What's what I believe to he the biggest issue. verall1, immigration cannot be a problem for A meriea alone to solve. Fo r dears, imm'gratlon to the n e Stat has been the solution when dictator have persecuted p eop l e in other countries. I think immigration has been overused. other countri m to some atien, and adopt lags that allow middle class citens to get an eduction own Iand, and have jobs that the y can work to get. in order to have a better world for immigr an American c i ti zens we need countries to be good place for people to live. Immigration and Hunan Rights issues are complex and controversial. T he United States is a nation of'mm grants. They have built our count into a eat nati i ton. owever, our greatness 1s also due to following laws Instead of dictators. In order for our country to contin to be a free and strong country for all citizens,, the laves must be respected. When we as a country consid changing laws about illegal immigrants, we should remember people aro und ound tie world w a i t i ng for them turn to make a new life, and cone into this coun f rd Pl aee. Ellie Wilson 8" Grarl e AM Mr L a, w Human Rights Essay /f 2 %NF Last night, while voring on this essa i a 0 r started t o rnagrne an immi gration experience. f imagined m fanny and I on a small raft w e had built to cross to America like some families m Cuba still do today. to leave family behind because we didn't have enough room or enough h foods What if my lounger brother Peter, the most loveable and ha child but the most vulnera d ied. on the may to America? mat if I survived and no one else did? fir, what if, after o threatening, overcoming all the dangerous,, life- depressing, and stressful obstacles we finally immigrants made it but fund we per considered undocumented, illegal immigrants and were sent back to were we came From? Or. what if we were actually accepted for who we were and het into the country that w understood. w as founded on human rights Then, I Nought about. great-grandfather g Martin Sorenson con�rrr throe Allis lrrd from ferurnar in 1920 she he was 1 g dear's odd and n great-grandmother lartha coming through Ellis I from Germany in 12 when she was 19 dears odd as well. Immigration world for them. The met each other they i n Ne wh they settled. and stared 1rl a faily, an gears later I was horn into that an��'� .l� and hav end many stores and a on. have met many rich cultural tradition. relatives es mho have either immigrated to America or who have vi us. I feed connected to other areas of the world and care greatly about safet and peace in the world so everyone can stay safe People fee their countries for man reasons. �o Some immigrants come under heir own volition to provide safer and more promising g r for themsel and their children, ether Immigrants were forced to cone to America as slaves or in servants. Slaves had little or no human rights Even when they were freed r they were still d�sc rrrnrnated against. The Europeans that came to America as indentured g servants were om�nitted to work for the person that had paid for their j ourney for seven dears or more. Then. their employer would give them money or laird to start a new life for themselve This year at �y Mi nnesota State F I pi cked up a button that stood out to me haven in my mind my h um a n rights essay. It said "Immigration atron ul Our N and listed this site:. �.ener ofantion, I gent to the weite and rnl that our rmmi gration policies and lames have developed over the past Naturali i dears. In th.e Act began to limit immigration a rn that g And alien being a free whrte ersorr rrra be dn�itted to become a citi of the United States." Immi doubled the T.s,'s population between the scars of 1800 and 1 900. B 1850 immi from places die Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and Germany had i ettled rrr America. ca. 'here immigrants worked n the factories, farmed, and help our overall econ groom. In the rrrrd to late 1800 our go ern- ent started. limiting i mmig ra tion b setting quotas for g overnment 1 g each country and the U.S. g became responsible for inspecting, admitti ng re'ec t come into the U.S. I tin all who w to Immigration stations like Dills Island were set up "process" immigrants. the Today, depending upon their status irrrmi �r li ants may not get full rights to things ir health care and education. some people want r t to l imit immigration. even more lockin illegal rm�grts with �a�s and policies such g as the secure Fence Act, T'lxer want to send illegal immi currently li here b to their then homelarris. Other people grant to create more options and opportunities for immigrants to enter g r the 1_J.�, legally and become citi with the same human rights that we have. f thin. we should. open up the poss for immigration every more because I want everyone who may he n tough situ to feel ire they have. a place to safe an free from discrimination stated i ted �n Article. o Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It's clear to rye that without immigration, most of us would not be hire right no because our ancestors immigrated to America. Without immigration, the US w ould not benefit from our unique divers it r and rich cultural tradition s and values, vve get to eno variety of food, music, and artistic o salsa spaghetti, t fortune cookies, lefse, ja and soccer were all either introduced or influenced by other cultures. I absolut love the Swedish meatballs, turkey, mashed potatoes, red cabbage lef sa, green beans, cranberries, and stuffing from nay grandmother's cultural backgrounds that our family and gets to enjoy ever Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, I enjoy learrrin about rn heritage as my grandmother prepares these special meals and tells her stories. I'm thankful. for the opportunities e opportunrtres I have to learn about and be exposed to different rent cultural traditions o the mangy wonderful and interesting friends I who immigrated to the. U.S. Maybe rn r I will fulfill my childhood fish to travel around the world where I can 1 knowledge pp and un d e rstandings as i experience each country I stop in. f think I'm only beginning to understand Why immigration g r such a controversial issue today and how complicated it is for immigrants. s I tr "decode" to decode this complicated topic, f have concluded that some people are afraid of the cultural differences and are afraid that will be a problem concerning their safety. others are c oncerned oneerned that i may start to over populate the nationals and begin to overrule the U Some e p ople worry that scarce resources will become even more limited due to the greatly t increasi seems tha rrro g popult1on.. It most of the current controversies are related to ontrolli undocu mented g immigrants. I', con used as to why n our government think that they can keep Mexican immigrants out of the U.S. by constructing a large w all to blo illegal immigrants i crossing the her g grants from g der, when the wall on ly covers half'the p ossible entrances. feel, that b i p ar setting up a fence or all on the border between Mexico and the U.S., the nations are stunting the progress needed to follow the Universal Declaration of Duman Rights.. So, do people have a human right to live wherever they choose se n this earth? to article l of the Universal Declaration of Duman Rights, ev to a nationality every has the right t and the right to change his or her It seems to nationality. .e that people should be able to live wherever they want, but 1 understand needing g to set limits e if resources are getting scarce or need to be protected or if our safer is at rise lirr��its the If 'we need to set n the I�m should not violate the Universal Declaration of um.arr Rights, the United States Bill of Rights, and the Minnesota Tan Rig Act. In fact, those documents shoed be the guide and foundat for our irr mi ration oli p ores and laves. I believe that everyone has the right to live in a safe lace tha h p at protects his r her human rights. I also believe that with those rights comes the responsibility r to care for each other, protect our environment, and appreciate the contributions rhutrons w are all capable of gMn.. The diversity that immigration has broug to the United g State s is im helps our communities to b e successful in daily life and in major conflicts. If J everyone were able to learn hove to work. together in their smaller communities men the world community would b mach up of cooperative groups f`people. Knowing people from g p p or all over the w orld helps us understand, ,respect and see each other 'as equal. These x eonnectIons can lead to cooperation and peace among countries. Honorable Mention Julia Jacobson 8' Grade t ar view ft Ms. Black Immigration is an emotional topic where discussion can turn hostile q uickly. We need to sort out the. positives and negatives of immigration to agree on a plan for making ing im igrati in America better for e veryone, including immigrants, employers o f immigrants, and U.S. citizens. People need to encourage immigration, but prevent immigration that hurts America. To cove to a decision on what laws America needs, I've explored contributions of immigrants, mistreatment of immigrants, and problems that immigrants can cause in America. The United States needs government policies that are effective and enforceable to make a im igration good for everyone. Overall, most immigrants have improved the United States. For hundreds of years, immigrants have been contributing and successful members of our country. Some a am-ples of successful immigrants would be the British immigrant Alexander Gram Bell, inventor of the telephone, Russian immigrant Irving Berlin, a writer and Norwegian egian immigrant Rosika Schwimmer an advocate of women's rights. Immigrants have taken unpopular jobs that have stimulated America's economy like being in the army, and working in laund mats, cleaning services, construction services, or becoming ing farm laborers. Immigrants have also believed in ideas. that our country firmly support today like anti' slavery. Without the support: of immigrants, Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents, would have never been elected immigrants. were the majority of his votes. Immigrants also rake the United. States a more interesting and diverse country. 1 Mistreatment of immigrants nts has been evident in the United States for centuries. The Jewish i migrants, who escaped from Europe due to harassment were persecuted in America because of their religious practices and beliefs. The Irish who rriv d in the 1800's were r looked on as a drain to society because they tools jobs away from Americans. In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented Chinese from entering America .nd becomin citizens for 10 years. Many immigrants who arrived in Ellis Islarnd. or Angel Island found the lengthy medical exams offensive and shameful. In today's w rld roan immigrants are taken advantage of by con people who tries there into schemes that steal their money and lure them into poverty. Immigration has also hurt our country, especially Illegal immigration. Illegal immigrants crowd American hospitals, receiving medical care they cannot afford. Many criminal illegal Immigrants flee to America to ca p law the l in their home country, and some er n commit tine s in the U.S. Too many immig .n load to disagreements or even fights between ethnicities. Unskilled and uneducated immigrants live in poverty and the. require public assistance. Immigrants also sometimes have little understanding of American culture and daily life like driving, shopping, money manag nt, and filling out pape hi -h can make communication difficult.. Many immigrants can't speak English, therefore more money has to spent in shads to teach the language, which can become challenge for school di is with many immigrants. mmigrati n can help or harm our country. The key is determining which practices will work and only create problems. Legal immigration from 2 other countries should only be right after the immigrant has learned English, learned more about American culture and history, and have made plans for housing and jobs. Preparing for American life is necessary. America is a beacon of immigration, and has been so since its beginning. With the understanding that we need to analyze data surrounding immigration, I think immig ration can become less a problem and more beneficial for everyone. 3 2010/2011 Essay Contest Question This year we ask students: How do Human Rights apply to you and your peers in your school and community? Reference: Minnesota Human Rights Act Chart: Who Is Protected? Human Rights Essay Name: Sophia Miliotis First Place RAMS 8th Grade Teacher: Mr. Lee Thao It's 6:35am. Again. Time to get up and head to school. On some days I would rather stay in the warmth of my bed. Then, I remember how fortunate I am to be in a school, getting an education. So I wipe the sleep from my eyes and get dressed. As I pull on my nice sweater, I think of the children who wake up to another day of hurt. They're afraid of school because they get teased and face discrimination. Some children don't eat a breakfast or even have the opportunity to wear nice sweaters. 1 believe that everyone deserves an education, sufficient shelter and food, and freedom from discrimination. To me, going to school means preparing for life. Everything you learn, may it be in elementary, middle or high school is used in your future life. People become doctors, teachers, even construction workers, all because they learned the basics: Multiplication, how to spell, the parts of an atom, and so forth. However, in many other countries, people don't get to choose a career because they never went to a school or obtained more than a grammar school education. This issue isn't noticed or attended to nearly as much as it should be in the world. In fact, according to the Central Intelligence Acfencv World Fact book, approximately 785 million adults across the globe are illiterate. Two thirds of them are women. Article 26 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that every person has the right to an education. If this were heeded, more of the world would have the ability to read or write. This Human Right is often taken for granted by those that do have access to a free public education. Article 2 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights contains another right often taken for granted: The freedom from discrimination. Peering across the room at this instant, I see a number of students from different racial backgrounds and ethnicities. "Aamira ", a Muslim student wearing a hijab, is sharing a laugh with "Toua", a Hmong student. While walking down the hallways of my middle school, I see classmates in wheelchairs, people of different mental abilities, and those who struggle with obesity. In addition to my own middle school, schools across the nation are equally diverse. There is no doubt that many varieties of discrimination take place at one time or another in my school district and elsewhere. When my sister was in elementary school, a boy was bullied because of his weight, and he transferred to a different school. Another example of discrimination widely reported in the news lately, is cyber bullying of teenagers that express their sexual orientation. Tragically, some of them have committed suicide. Article 2 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights indicates that "Everyone can claim the following rights, despite a different sex, skin color, speaking a different language, thinking different things..." School is for learning purposes, to change and grow. To be discriminated against would make the everyday pressures a student already feels seem unbearable. Home is the only sanctuary, providing safety, warmth, and food; but for some, a home is yet again another impossible dream. Going home after school relieves my stress. It is the one place where I can unwind and prepare for school again. Finishing homework, eating dinner, showering and going to sleep; it's all part of my routine. For dinner tonight 11 had leftovers. Yuck. But compare my meal to that of a homeless child. What does he eat for dinner? Where does he go after school, if he attends school at all? Again referencing The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25: The Right to Adequate Living Standards, states "You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: Do not fall ill; go hungry; have clothes and a house..." Yet there are still many homeless people in our world. Ii have running water and heat. I have an education. Finally, II am free from any obvious form of discrimination. Though N am granted those three rights, most others in our world are not. I ponder this as 1 lay my head down on my pillow. If everyone were entitled to an education, there would be more educated people everywhere, who could continue to make the world a better place. If everyone had a shelter and food, many more humans wouldn't be starving and homeless. Discrimination would be a part of history if The Universal Declaration of Human Rights were more than just a list on paper, and everyone lived by them. Name: Aleksandar Guzina Second Place Parkview 8th Grade Teacher: Mr. Lucas Ebert Planting the Seeds to Open the Shells "If you judge people, you have no time to love them " - Mother Teresa "True peace is not merely the abstinence of tension, it is the presence of justice " - Martin Luther King Jr. "Blessed is the influence of one true, loving, human soul unto another " - Author Unknown. Having human rights apply to all people has been a goal to mankind since the beginning of civilization. It has never been fully achieved, only partially. Equity and human rights have failed time and again all around the world, and are just now taking root in the luckier nations. Roseville has a strong equity vision that, if put to use correctly, can be the start of a peaceful and harmonious community. With it we can remove racism from our community, get people trust and be more open and compatible with one another, and allow people to express their true selves freely. There is a chance that human rights may prevail magnificently in Roseville, but only if we start acting now. There are racists, bigots, or at least groups or people who do not like specific groups of people in each community. There is no denying that, but we can actively support and advocate human rights in a community, which Roseville is doing. This will curb the hate that people have for each other. Humans naturally believe what they hear and see. If members of the community see posters or TV ads that depict equality, they will believe and accept it. But not only depictions of equality and acceptance will stop the hate. It may not be enough to change the views of some people. That is why action needs to follow up the belief. If a person sees a community where people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and beliefs work and live together in harmony, and where racism is widely disapproved of, they will be deterred from committing acts of racism. If people learn to accept and treat each other fairly, then they will become more open to one another. This is what I believe my community is trying to achieve. If someone is accepted they will eventually be trusted. People will have no problem socializing with each other, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they think or believe. Showing equality will break down the barrier of difference that has set so many people apart for so long. People will not view each other as black, white, Christian, Muslim, poor, rich, man or woman. They will view each other as people, as equals, without stripping them of their identity. If people see that they can be accepted in a community, they will fly their true colors. If they are around people who trust and support them, they will feel at ease and show who they really are. People put their true selves into an indistinguishable shell, worn by all members of a community. This shell is worn around the world by every type of person imaginable. The shell is what separates people from their actual selves and molds them into what others want them to be. One person shows their true identity, and the masses will follow and take off their shells. The people who dictate who people should be -the shell molders, will be overthrown. People will be free and equal together. It is a vision of communities and community members alike all around the world to see this happen, myself no exception. But this is only a vision. It has yet to be carried out. Human rights affect me by allowing me to be an equal with my community members. They give others and me around the world so many rights we rarely think about. The right to life, the right to be innocent until proven guilty, the right to believe what I believe and think what I think, the ability to practice my free will in the laws of my nation, which must be equal to all they apply to, to name a few. The rights that are given to all members in my community that cannot be taken away and let us live how we do. In Roseville, in Minnesota, in the US. But only in a nation as powerful as ours and others like it are basic human rights prevalent. Around the world, people are still persecuted for all manner of things. Human rights need to be established elsewhere, and need to be improved in countries that already have them. For example, the utopia mentioned previously still needs to happen. It is a seed that may grow into a strong tree, and then a forest, which will cover the entire world. But only if we plant the first seed. Human Rights Name: Noah Livingston Third Place RAMS 8th Grade Teacher: Mr. Jeff Bibeau Human rights are what every single person on earth is born with, regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or age. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that describes thirty of these rights. They cannot be taken away by anyone. Just a few of the most prominent rights that affect me, my peers, my school and my community are the right to education, the right to no discrimination, and the right not to be treated cruelly. In my mind, one of the most important human rights is the right to education. Getting a good education will exponentially affect a person's quality of life forever. College education leads to getting a better job and having a better understanding of the world. According to Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone is entitled to free elementary and fundamental schooling. Some people think of school as a chore, but they should be thankful. There are many children in the world who don't have the opportunity to go to school. Another important right is the right not to be discriminated against. Roseville Area Schools is a relatively diverse school district. Therefore, it opens the door for potential discrimination. Everyone has looked at someone with a disability, or of a different color, and made assumptions about them; it has always happened, and probably always will. This right of no discrimination affects me and my community directly, because where there is diversity, there is discrimination. I hope someday we can live in a world where this is not the case, and everyone is truly equal. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "I have a dream..." Last but not least, article five of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no one should be the victim of cruel or degrading treatment. One of the most common violations of this right with me and my peers is cyber - bullying. Cyber - bullying is when someone posts hurtful images or texts online aimed at harming an individual. It can be emotionally crushing and degrading, especially when it is severe. In too many of the most serious cases, this has even driven victims to commit suicide. Based on a survey by iSafe, an internet safety organization for teens, 40% of students have had their passwords hacked by bullies. Though cyber- bullying isn't physical, it is as real as any other form of bullying, and is a definite violation of the right not to be treated cruelly. These rights belong to everyone, no matter who they are. Unfortunately, human rights are violated every day. My peers, my school, my community and I are affected every day, not only by the rights to education, no cruel treatment, and no discrimination, but by all thirty of the human rights. If human rights were universally accepted, the world would be a place where people could live together in peace. When Good Rights Go Wrong. Name: Christian Favazza Honorable Mention Parkview 8th Grade Teacher: Mr. Lucas Ebert Do you use Facebook, Twitter, My Space, Form Spring or other social media? If you do, have you ever written something bad about someone you did not like? Do you think you have a right to trash, bag on, put down, spread rumors or even imply harm to someone on the internet? How about at school? According to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights article #19, which states freedom of expression as a basic human right, you have the right to say anything you want about anyone. However, there is a point when one person's right violates another person's rights. That's when a good right goes wrong. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, article #3 states everyone has the liberty and security of person. If you are putting someone down, making them sad and scared, you are violating their right to feel safe. If a person is afraid to walk down the halls at school because someone will taunt them, that violates their right to freely and safely walk to class. What about Human Rights article #26 the right to an education? If someone is afraid to go to school because people can say anything they want about them, aren't those same people are violating the person's right to an education by exercising their own rights to freedom of expression? -2- What about when the audience is the World Wide Web? Is the right to freedom of expression still a right when it violates someone else's Human Rights, article #12: the right to privacy? If someone divulges personal information about someone in the form of gossip, slander, personal photos and other private information and makes it public online isn't that violating another persons right to privacy? Sometimes freedom of expression leads to freely expressing discriminating words against someone such as anti -gay or anti- (fill in the blank) statements, these words can impact others to discriminate and in turn impact their thoughts and actions. Isn't that violating the Human Rights Article # 2: freedom from discrimination? In conclusion, the right to freedom of expression is a right that is often misused and abused. It is a good and necessary right except when it goes wrong. Name: Tim Schnell Honorable Mention RAMS 8th Grade Teacher: Mr. Jeff Bibeau Human Rights for the Disabled Human rights affect me, my peers, my school, and my community. Human rights are very important. What did Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks stand up for? How did women get the right to vote? They stood up for their human rights. II will be talking about disabilities and how people should be treated in relation to their human rights. A couple of students in my class are disabled and in wheelchairs. They aren't Tess able in any way, except for their ability to walk, run, or jump. In fact, one person in my class is a good friend of mine who's in a wheelchair. Our school and district have an equity vision. One of the rights protected by this vision is respecting people regardless of whether they have a disability or not! For example, I have Autism. Kids at school treat me slightly differently. They are a bit more odd towards me. They sometimes speak slower. They sometimes will ask me weird questions. These random questions make me feel odd and make me wonder why they are asking me these questions. My dad, my brother, and II went to our community center. They have a water slide there, and a little while ago, a manufacturer installed a music and light show display to experience while you're riding down the slide. The music is projected through the entire pool area. As you go up the stairs to the slide launch area, there's a sign that says people with Epilepsy and /or subject to seizures by flashing lights or loud noises are advised not to ride. My dad and I thought that this sign was absurd because this would exclude some people from going down the slide. We stood up for disabled person's rights by speaking to the Shoreview Human Rights Commission. Even though this slide wasn't a violation of our human rights, kids who have Epilepsy should be able to have the same experience other kids have, but still have a comfortable atmosphere without the Tight and music show features. We suggested that they should install a lights and a sound off option. Human rights are very important to me because of the positive impact these rights have had in the world and because people have had to fight for these rights. The reason I chose this topic is because the Roseville Area School District has an excellent equity vision for disabled students' rights. There are many important human rights, but this was the first that came to mind. Since I have Autism and I have friends that have various disabilities throughout the school, I felt I should use that human right. Human rights are important to me, my community, the state, the nation, and this earth. Name: Isabela Silverio Honorable Mention RAMS 7th Grade Teacher: Ms., Kerry Gamble Human Rights Essav Have you ever got treated unfairly because of your race, religion, culture, nationality, money conditions, or any other characteristics that you have? Do you know how it feels? Racism, discrimination, has you ever felt that? Yes, it does hurt. I felt that and I know how bad it can feel, so why people keep doing it? What is wrong to be different? So in this essay I decided to focus in one article, which is Freedoms from Discrimination, number two, from, CRC (The Convention of Right of a Child). Freedom from discrimination is important for me because I think nobody should be treated unfairly on any basis, in any conditions, independent of anything. And this affect me a lot because, sometimes people think just because I am an immigrant I should not have the same rights, I shouldn't go to the same school as them, I shouldn't go to the same doctor as them, I shouldn't live in thee same place as them, and my parents shouldn't have the same work as theirs, and why? Just because I have a different nationality. And just not affect me, affect millions of people, especially immigrants, because some of them don't even know their rights. If you don't know your rights, how are you going to "shout" for them? Do you know that children of illegal immigrants can't study after high school? Just because they are here (in U.S.A) with out a little paper called VISA, they are not consider citizen, (even if they have been living here since they were babies). So they will not finish their education, and in consequence will not get a good job, not have a good life condition and give one for their family. So how are they supposed to move back to their P43 home country or give a good way to their lives? What do you expect from a person with no education? And what about their rights? Our differences should not be a problem, they should be a benefit. Why not get to know new cultures? Before judge, disrespect, or discriminate, think: Would you like to be treated in that way? Is that going to hurt somebody? What are the consequences of my actions? The CRC rights and the humans' rights are valid for anyone, in any conditions, everywhere. And I think we should try to improve. Like Benjamin Disraeli said "The action does not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." Just try, do your part and for sure you will already be making the difference. p Z Human Rights Commission 2013-14 Essay Contest Prejudice and stereotypes affect the way we perceive and interact with each other, even when we don't realize it. How do stereotypes affect our society and how do they damage human rights? Reference the US Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Bill of Rights or the Minnesota Human Rights Act in your answer. Elijah Sailer- Haugland, 1st Place Grade 8, Gary Schwingle /Jeff Bibeau Roseville Area diddle School People encounter many different kinds of stereotypes. It does not matter who you are or where you are front, you probably have been stereotyped or have stereotyped others at one point in your life. Many stereotypes can impact one person, or a group of people like a family. one way to examine how stereotypes impact families is through personal stories. By sharing mine, I will demonstrate a real life example. of stereotypes and their negative impact on peoples lives. For example, stereotypes involving disabilities, sexual orientation, and race can influence the way families are treated, and even damage their human rights. I know first hand how it can feel to be stereotyped because of a disability. often people make assumptions about disabilities that are not true. when people see that someone has a disability such as Cerebral Palsy, they often think. the differently abled person can not walk and talk correctly or possibly not at all. I know that is not true. I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy which affects the way I walk and talk. Cerebral Palsy is condition that affects thousands of babies and children. The word "cerebral" means having to do with the brain. The word "palsy" means a weakness in the way someone moves their body. Because someone can not walk or talk the same way as others, sometimes they are perceived as slog, dumb, or stupid, but physical disability is not the same as cognitive disability. This is similar to how some people talk louder to blind people, when blindness doesn't affect hearing. The disabled person is made to feel less than normal. Human rights violations can sometimes be hidden. This is omen true with Article 1: Right to Equality from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). often people with disabilities are denied the "Fight to Equality" because someone else assumes we are 44less important ". For example, when I ant trying join in with my friends and they are running off, I can not keep up with them because I run a little slower. My friends assume that I ant not interested in participating because they think the activity will be too hard for me, they think I any too slow to be involved. This is often a stereotype of all people with disabilities. This violates Article l of the I DHR. It might not be obvious, but my human rights are being restricted because my friends are not treating nee in the same way and are acting in an unfriendly manner. Families like mine around the world are being treated unfairly just because someone in the family is gay, My family has two gay parents, and they are often judged for being gay and having a family. Some people think that gay couples should not be able to have a family. These people are believing a "gay is unhealthy" stereotype. They think gay people should not be allowed to have kids because it may make the kids. gay. The stereotype somehow assumes that 2 gay parents could not possibly be as good as two straight parents. I personally know this to be false. My parents care deeply about my brother and I and are very loving and sometimes strict, just like other parents. In other words, our family is pretty similar to.all the other families in the neighborhood. we are similar even when we are unfairly teased. Even though gay families are very similar to other families they are often denied the same human rights. For example, until this summer, nay dads were not allowed to get married. This violates Article 16 0- Right to Marriage and Family from the UDFIb. It states that everyone has the right to marry and have a family. Now that my dads are married, and federal laws have been changed by the Supreme Court, our family is protected by over 1, 100 lags. The purpose of the constitution is to protect human rights. The government should never use the Bill of bights to deny our freedom. In the Bill of bights, Amendment IX states that "certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others ". Fortunately, my family is protected by the Minnesota Human bights Act (-IRA) and new marriage laws. However, many of my friends and their families who live in other states still do not have the same Human Rights as we do. Stereotypes are often linked to race. People make an assumption about an entire ,group -of people just based on their skin color. Sometimes people who have never met me or my family judge us by our race. This happens to many families and can limit their rights. My ;brother and I are Asian; we were born in China. My parents are caucasian. Some people do not like to see mixed race families as they think it is wrong simply due to stereotypes. This can lead to misunderstandings or inappropriate questions about our family. There, are many stereotypes about Asians. People think Asians are good at math. This sounds positive, but sometimes it can create unreasonable expectations for an Asian person that is not good at math. Each of us performs differently at math because of our brain differences, and our education not race. Stereotypes can have a huge impact on people of color. often we get lumped together as a group instead of being seen as an individual. This can result in people making negative assumptions about us based on their misunderstanding of an entire race. The result of this can be seen when groups of people are harassed or discriminated against in schools, ,fobs, and housing.. Thankfully the (MHRA) protects people that have specific characteristics such as race. There are 13 protected classes in the MHRA. Linder MHRA, Asians are protected against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and 0 business. As you can sec through the stories I have shared, my family has experienced first hand the issues of stereotyping and their impact on human rights. Even though our family sometimes faces misunderstanding because of stereotypes involving race, disabilities, and sexual orientation, we are fortunate to live in a country where we are protected by the Bill of Rights, as well as many Human ][fights Laws and Declarations. These are just three of the many stereotypes in the world. we can eliminate them by speaking up and sharing our stories. By doing so, we break down misunderstandings of each other and start to protect each others human rights. Ailsa Schmidt, 2nd Place Grade 8, Lee Thad Roseville Area Middle School Beyond the Law In our society there are great divides, bath of socio -econo i m c class and race. Both inequalities and tensions between different groups of people spring from an - p p p g and reinforced by our own stereotypes and prejudices. By making stereotypes and forming e • udices g p .� towards groups of people, we create and perpetuate cycles of violence and poverty, well as revers �, prevent ourselves from developing p g nondiscriminatory and effective attitudes to . �.x these problems in our community. We see one example of this when looking 'in Americans our legal system.. It has now been 150 years since .Abraham Lincoln issued the E • n�anc�pation proclamation and 48 since Jim Crow was abolished, but discrimination against African Americans lives .on. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one in three black men can expect to � • p go to prison �n their lifetime. Because I I states have laws saying that people with past felony convictions are not allowed to vats, 13% of African American men can't vote in America, Through discrimination rn.ination era the justice system., the USA violates articles six, seven and twenty -one of the Universal Declaration . _ oration of Human fights. 'These articles state that everyone should be treated equally before the law everywhere, and everyone should have the right to engage in politics by voting or running for office. when we di spraportzonately lock up African - American men and prevent them from being involved in local, statewide and national government, we cripple black communities, and without stable role e models we can trap youth xn the cycle of poverty. This prejudice against people of color arises from discomfort. I�' 0 _ xfference is scary to people; humans don't like for their beliefs about society be challenged. F � t o � . g r many people �t is easier to think that all African American young men wear their ants down and . p their sweatshirt hoods up. This appearance, this fraction of an identity, is associated with crime and fear and inner -city grime, and society doesn't want to think that our life could be like that. Judging people on our false preconceptions has tragic consequences. A recent reminder of this was the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent trial of George Zimmerman, when a teenager was killed just because he looked "suspicious" The instinctual reaction to what we perceive as "dangerous" has not taken rights away from African Americans only, though. The terrorist bombings of the world Trade Centers in I2001 sparked widespread distrust of Middle - Eastern Americans and people of Islam faith. Many people believe the stereotype that all Muslims or all Middle Eastern - Americans are terrorists. Twelve years later we have built our memorials and mourned our dead, but we have no more resolved our aggression towards Muslim people than we have brought back our beloved friends and family. In the aftermath of 9111, airline security was tighter than ever, and this spawned a new era of racial profiling. Innocent citizens of the United States were pulled over, tracked, searched and frisked just because they looked Arab, and this degrading treatment continues. My family sponsors a Syrian student, Farah, who attends Macalester College, .and she has told me stories of her experience traveling across the border to Mexico while attending United world College last year. As the teacher presented the students' passports, from countries all over the world, the border guard asked for "the Syrian ". Farah was questioned for an hour, because of her homeland. we may like to imagine this type of discrimination is in our past, but this American assumption of guilt by association is a fact of life for some people and scares them out of their light to Free Movement in and out of the Country (UDHR., Article 13). This persecution is not compatible with human dignity. By listening in on phone calls, frisking people on the streets and interrogations without legitimate cause for suspicion, we use fear as a tool to control travel, international communication, public assembly, standards of education and the demographics in certain occupational fields. This blatant discrimination has been decreed as unjust on a state, national and international scale, being denounced in the core of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Amendment Iv of the Bill of Rights, and Article 30 of the UDI- R, which says "...no society, no human beings should act in such a way as to destroy the hrights which you have just been readin g about" . Even though our law and policy is no longer blatantly discriminatory, the public attitude often overrules and our mindset is prejudiced. This discrimination and fear is overwhelming our society and controlling our behaviors. In order to fix our mistakes we must change the instinctual reactions, and lead people to recognize the similarities between `them" and "us ". when we impose stereotypes on people we deny them' their right of individuality, and limit their ability to develop into a full and complete member of society. As Article 29 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, "The law should guarantee human rights. It should, allow everyone to respect others and be respected." In Minnesota the people that enforce these laws prevent us from moving forward. only when all people can see one another as an individuals, free of stereotypes and group prejudices, will we achieve equality under the law and the society that all people deserve. Ashley Chavez, 2nd Place Grade S, Lee Thao Roseville Area Middle school Humans Rights Essay Stereotypes have turned our society into an oppressing, horrifying monster. It is pulling our country apart and disrupting human rights, The voices of the victims are not being heard and because of that they are becoming afraid, when they shouldn't be. Americans are only those who are white, the poor are less valuable than the rich, and Mexican illegal immigrants are villainous are only some of the stereotypes, though, they play an important role, that have turned the society into what it is today. If you are American, you are expected to have an appearance similar to white eo le and p p speak English just like them. If not, you are most likely to not .receive the same services ' as those who do Look or speak. like `Americans ". It sounds ridiculous that this kind of discrimination is still going on today, even after all the laws that have been made to stop it. But there are many people who experience this daily at work, stores, and through phone calls with businesses. Last year, during world of Cultures class, we saw a video in which a -person was investigating this topic. He called a company who sold houses and using a different accent each time and asked if one of the houses on their list was still available. The lady on the other side of the phone said yes only when he spoke fluent English. Another example, is my personal experiences. Although, my mother has lived in the United States for several years, she -still has an accent when she speaks English. My mother comes from Mexico, and she does not look life' a white person at all. My father is the same, although, his English is a bit better. when we need assistance at a store, once in a while there are, employees who deny their help to us just because of the way we look and speak. They usually don't let us finish asking for their help, instead they act very rude and make up excuses and leave right away. Then, later, we see them helping other customers who just happen to look "American ". Everyone makes the stereotype that Americans are only those who look and speak like White people. It is discriminating those who do not look or speak like that. It is also offending their race, skin color, and national origin, which is against the Human Rights Article 2 and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Another stereotype made frequently is that the poor are less valuable as a person than those who are rich, I will tell you they are completely wrong. How much money you have or how much you own will never determine how valuable you are as a person. I strongly believe we are all important and special in our own way, Though, there are people like those who make this stereotype that think differently than I do,- I agree with Article 19 of the Human bights and Amendment 1 of the Bill of lights, that it is their right to opinion and to say what they'd like and not be stopped. But it is not their right to treat there as if they weren't as good as others. we see many examples of this on the news where people in desperate need of money, whom are usually poor, are being taken advantage of and paid very little for their job. As long as they have a job, some may say that it's not a big deal, Unless you ever listen and connect with those below the poverty line or are below it yourself, you won't know what really goes on. People below the poverty line have the same needs as the rest of us. They need to pay for where they . ive, they need to buy food for their families, and they also need clothes. They have to work harder than others to afford all their necessities and support their whole family. For them, having to work hard and not -getting paid enough is extremely a big deal, Even though there are many organizations that benefit the poor in the United States, because of The stereotype that the poor are less valuable as a person than the rich, most of the society is still turning their backs to those who are poor. Article 1 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that when children are born they are free and each should be treated in the same way; they have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner. Rather than helping them., the society 'I's ignoring and not treating them equally. This stereotype is also going against Article 2 in the Universal Declaration of Human lights because it is discriminating those who own less. The final stereotype is that Mexican illegal immigrants are villainous. They sneak into the United States and hide from the law to not get caught. Their intentions are misunderstood by the society so they are thought to be bad. But I think that the people of this country are forgetting that we are all immigrants from other places who carne for the similar reasons, we need to remember how and why we are here, and have empathy for these people who are just like us. Mexican illegal immigrants are very hard working people. The United States takes advantage of this by taping a certain percentage of their paychecks because they do not have citizenship. Their hard work is helping the economy raise, which is what the country needs right now. Even though the government knows this, they are still trying to kick them all out because of the stereotype that is made about them. police officers make up excuses to be able to stop Mexicans to find out if they are illegally here or not. Most of the Mexican illegal immigrants have-no license, so if they are stopped they can be sent to the police station and straight to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration. Services. Although, there are illegal immigrants who are caught because of cringes they committed, it does not include all of them. Some are send back to Mexico because of police officers who make up excuses. For the government, it may be marred as one less illegal immigrant they have to take care of, but it only adds to the list of children in the United States without their parent. More and more children of Mexican illegal immigrants who are taken away and send back. to Mexico are being left with uncles, aunts, or friends of the family. These children are Americans that are part of our communities; still the- government is not considering the struggles they have to go through when their families are separated. A year ago, my younger brother and I almost became like these children. My father was a Mexican illegal immigrant; three days before Christmas Day at 6.40 a.m. the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services came to our home and arrested my father. Twenty -four hours passed before we got to talk to hire through a phone call. He told us that they were - apparently reinvestigating the car, accident he was responsible for 12 years ago, but that they would release him and not send him to Mexico if we paid a fee . of 10,000 dollars. Though, we knew that my father had already completed all his penalties for the accident, we still paid. My family isn't rich so it.took,us a few days to collect all that money. But since it was the holidays, it took a whole week before my father was released. By- then Christmas had passed, not having my whole family together during that time was one of the worst things I have ever experienced. I had to make myself strong, though, inside I felt like I was going to burst into tears any moment, and help nay mother with everything that had to be dons so my father could come home. I can't imagine how children who don't have their parents right now are able to keep going to school and continue with their lives. This stereotype is causing Mexican illegal immigrants to not be able to become citizens of the United States. when in. Article 15 of the Human bights it clearly states that you have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to a country if you wish. It is also causing families to be separated from one another. Human Rights Article 16 includes the government of your country should protect your family and its members. Even though, Mexican illegal immigrants are not Citizens of the United States, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights still apply to there. As you can see, stereotypes have already turned our society into an oppressing horrifying monster, It is shown through the three stereotypes of Americans are only white people, the poor are less valuable as a person than the rich, and all Mexican illegal immigrants are villainous. The society does not realize that the stereotypes we make are causing actions that are destroying the Human Rights, More importantly, the act of destroying the-Human Rights is violating Article 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, That is'how stereotypes affect our society and how they damage human rights, Olivia Ogwangi, 3rd Place Grade 8, Crystal Archer Roseville Area Diddle School Human Fights Essay When I was in first grade I was pulled aside and asked if I could.s eak English and if rn p g y parents had gone to school. Just because of my last name and I was a minority, I was picked out of among other kids in my class and was asked that question. Now think for a moment anal ut ourself in p �' Amy shoes; how would you feel being stereotyped and profiled by another people because they think you are different you are not capable of doing anything. As you 'reflect on this thought, the rest of my paper talks about how, many people get racially profiled and they just don't know about it. what is' the definition of stereotyping? A. stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Why do people stereotype? Well there are any answers to that question but for me I still can't answer that question to you if you asked, me today. But many people are constantly stereotyping others for much reason that is what causes racial discrimination and false information. Stereotyping hurts us as human being and deprives us of our human rights. But many people have been stereotyped because of their race or accent. It always happens to my nom when she meets new people; when she starts talking them start asking her where she comes,, what her nationality. Sometimes people ask if she is able speak English and if need to go to an ELL class (English language learning). That is just because of her Kenyan accent, she that always tells people English is her third language, (you should give credit for learning knowing three languages fluentl y) . I have to admit that I have stereotyped people, but now I realize that I am going against their Human Rights (A- rticle 2: Freedom from discrimination). Many people encounter this issue every single day and that's wrong. Illy mom told that being black women will always be hard because I would have to work 2 times harder because I am a women and 3 times harder because I am black. mother thing my mother told me is there will always be people that will bring you down and say because you are black you will always be a static. Time after time I came across the discrimination from other peers and adults. The way they treated me and put me down it made it harder to do my work and have a good life. These people made it harder for me to be recognized as a person this hurt, Duman Rights Article 6; Right to recognition as a person before the law. Now I felt like I was worthless, I felt like nobody cared about me and nobody really liked me for me. But I came to find me -asking myself did my life really have any meaning. But the two things my mother told always went through my mind. I had a teacher that didn't really like me, I don't know why but she didn't like me. Throughout the first half of school she would never answer nay question she would always say, ;Ask your partner" but when my partner would come up to her with the same question, she would answer the question, When we had to do a paper I would never get 10 0% on a paper there would have to be one mistake I made, this damaged niy Human Right (Article 1; Right to Equality). This kept on going; I gat so stress and it started to affect my grades. My parents started noticing the effects of what was happening at school and they didn't like what there were seeing. My parents had to tackle this issue and they had to tackle it fast; it started to affect my life outside of school. My mom talk to me about how people will tell you things to make you feel bad and you just have to prove them wrong. You got to kill there with kindness; ignore there discrimination just show them that you are just like them, HUMAN! The things my mom told stuck with until I went back to after Christmas break. So throughout the rest of the school year I proved that teacher that even though I am black I am capable of doing work as hard and as good as everyone else. So let's go back to the beginning paragraph and let's picture our self in first grade now. How do you think would handle the situation now after to reading this paper? Well 1 could answer this question for you but that won't help you. But one I can tell you stereotypes is everywhere and we as people should prove others who stereotype that they are wrong by our actions. Where is quote that always a stick with me every day I go to school; whatever is popular is not always right and whatever is right is popular- Albert Einstein. Human nights Essay -- Google Drive ht' Anne Benser , Honorable Mention Grade 8. Lee Thao Roseville Area Middle School Our Imperfect Society There are problems everywhere. Problems with poverty or the economy. People know about those and they care about those but they often overlook the biggest problems that are sitting right in front of us, These kinds of issues are harder to see and easier to ignore just because some people don't see the harm in them; stereotypes and prejudice. Judging people before you even know their first names. Damaging the Human Rights has become some Armericans first nature because most of the time they don't even .know they are doing it. Stereotypes have been wired into their brain by society and they don't know a way around it. Everyday I see stereotypes everywhere I go, some people wouldn't give it a second glance but I notice. I wake up in the morning to may mom shaking me aware. "It's time for school honey." she says "I've made you your breakfast." Morn makes me breakfast every morning along with all the other house work she does. She doesn't work to make money in the city like dad. The house is always tidy and clean thanks to her constantly cleaning it. Mom tells me all the time how she wished she could contribute to the family financially and not make dad do all the work, but she also knows how much we need her here. Personally I think that if mom wants to work she should, it doesn't matter that she's not the man of the house. At school we learned that the Minnesota Human Rights Act says that employment is open to all genders so I don't know what's keeping morn from going out and getting a job. She's a really hard worker so I guess she must just feel it's her job to stay home and be bored all day. I don't understand why. 1 of 4 11 /1 /13 9.13 AM Human Rights Essay Google )Drive https:lldoes .google .com/a/apps.i sd623 .org /document /d/ I THfj9... I'm now on any way walking to school. It's not very eventful until I see a car way up ahead of me speeding super fast! Thankfully a policeman pulls them avers my curiosity gets the best of me and I run up to see what's going on. There are two people in the car probably friends one is a white man and one's black. The white one was driving however the cop seems more interested in the other guy. Shouldn't the one breaking the law get in trouble? The policeman is asking the black man to, get out of the car he sounds angry to, I don't remember seeing the black man do anything wrong. He seems to know this to because he starts telling the police officer that he doesn't have to get out of the car. I wouldn't do that if I were him, why would you want to make a police officer read? He could arrest you! I'm not very smart though the man must know more than me because he starts saying stuff about how he has rights and that the 4th amendment says he doesn't have to let the officer check anything on him unless it was him who broke the law. In that case he made the right choice to stand up for himself, the police officer had no reason to think he had done anything wrong. He is the same as everyone else. oops! I stayed and watched that scene for too long I barely made it to school on time. There's a lot of people at my school because we go all the way up to 12th grade. The high schoolers are really nice to us kids that are younger but they seem really mean to each other. Not all of them, but for instance there's a group of people that always hang around outside the school. They all wear black with a lot of chains and a lot of makeup, I don't see what's so wrong with -it but other people say mean comments to them. They call them em.o and make fun of them because they say they have too many problems. I don't think that's true though because I've talked to some of there and they're really nice, I see no reason to think all those things other people say about them. The older classmen should- really read all the human rights like I did then 2of4 1Wl139;13,AM Human Rights Essay - Google Drive https://docs-google-com/a/apps,'Isd623.org/document/d/ITHfj9... they would know that the people they call emo really are gust expressing themselves through clothing which is not against any rules. article 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says they have the right to express themselves how they want. Sure that goes for the bullies too but the right shouldn't be used to hurt others, just to show people what you like. Z hope the people who stand outside the school don't tale the mean words to heart because Z know what good people they are. We all see people in our own way and that's what makes the world so great. Different ideas and purposes with each new person you meet makes life really interesting. Getting to know them is even more fun hearing their stories, celebrating their accomplishments, and learning from their mistakes. when you start to think something about someone before you take the chance to listen to them., then that's where the problem starts. Every person on the planet has something they can contribute to us. women all around the world are great scientist, lawyers, and doctors. People of all races are volunteering and helping our community. People everywhere are expressing themselves to show what they care about and work for. Society is beautiful when you look at all the great things happening in it and as long as we stop telling people what's right and wrong about them, it can stay a wonderful place, People everywhere need to take a second to see that they are only responsible for themselves. Everyone has flaws and roles they feel they need to uphold, those roles can only be set by themselves though. Be who you are, it's your right. 3 of 11/11139 :13 AM Teague Bogenhold, Honorable Mention Grade 8, Gary SchwinglelJeff Bibeau Roseville Area Middle School Human Rights EssaX Right now the `perfect society" doesn't exist, but with some simple and little improvements we can get closer to that mark everyday. Portraying certain races in a negative way, the way others use your family's economic status to determine how educated you are, and brainwashing people into thinking that everyone must be a perfect "Barbie doll," are ways that our society is demolishin g and taking advantage- of our human rights. Putting all races behind white only makes people of color more conscious of being g differ ent from the others. The only way to stop it is by reminding ourselves that all are created equal. The first article of the Universal Declaration of I Turman RiThts,, states; `everyone has the right to equality and are to be treated in the same way." The second article states that "everyone is free from any discrimination." On my way out to dinner with my family, I noticed that the police had pulled over an .African American man but I didn't really think much of it until I noticed on our way back that they had pulled over another African .American man. That made me think about how unfairly some races m our society are treated like how often racism occurs everyday. How well you do in school cannot be measured by how much money you have but by how hard you're willing to work, According to the Minnesota Human Ri hts Act, one should receive the necessary education without knowing your economic status. Although some have more money, that does not mean that the wealthier individuals are smarter than lower income individuals. Even in my school, this situation is true, with a poor boy being immensely smarter than a very privledged boy. Y Finally, the "perfect image" is destroying our society by lifting some over others and making people believe if they're not up to that "flawless" standard than they are not good enough. The Bill of Iii hts amendment Yv justifies that "people have the right to be secure in their person" and the Universal Declaration. of Human Rights articles one and two also apply to this as well. Prejudices life this are slowly chipping away at our society's individual image and making the world a maze of mirrors where everybody looks and does the same. As soon as we get rid of the `white empire," all races will be equal and hopefully no one will judge people by race, letting education be equal to all, and getting rid of that crowning standard. Stereotypes only wreck and ruin everything in our community by putting some people on top bf others. Next time really think about whether you'll be the person that others want you to be or will you be what the world needs. Hannah Bruns, Honorable Mention Grade 81 Crystal Archer Roseville Area Middle School Stereotyplon 9 A. women is the full circle. within her is the power to create, nurture and transform, -- Diane Mariechild Women have empowered and persevered since the beginning of time. Females have been treated as 2. d class citizens since the beginning of time. women have been stereotyped as uneducated, not power and not able to hold their own since the beginning f time. No female discrimination atron breakthrough has been made since the be g of time. Due to the social construction of reality men have not let women reach their full potential and break through the glass ceiling. You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and t o practice It either on your own or with other people." — Human. Right Article 18, In religion female discrirm'nation is opprobrious. Catholic women cannot become ' pP om.e priests, l�iusl�rn women are not eligible to lead prayers in numberless mosques. Scarcely any female rabbis are to p of class A synagogues -. Tibetan Buddhism has yet to thoroughly appoint a female to their branch. it is highly disappointing knowing how many people stereotype women as not powerful leaders. It is also disconsolate to know the uttermost of humanity has yet to comprehend the great deal of religious female discrimination and to recognize their violation of Human Fight Article 18. "You have the right to take part in your country's political affairs by either belonging to the government yourself or by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal.' � m Human Right Article 21, Female politicians have been treated in various degrading ways throughout the years. Of course the most recognizable discrimination shown in politics is that there has yet to be a female, president of the United States of America. Some might say that the argument for this would be that only two women have ever run for President of the United States of America. Jf only two women have ever had enough courage to endeavor to take the occupation of this highly exceptional job, that means men ire just running the female society farther and farther away from success, women only hold twenty percent of the Senate seats, eighteen percent- of seats M the house and twenty three percent of state level offices. if women could be more involved in politics they would, yet we are still resented those opportunities and resented to be treated as Human Right Article 21 states. "You have the right to work, to -be free to choose your work, to get a salary which allows you to support your family. If a man and a woman do the same work, they should get the same pay." - man Right Article 23. There are numerous ways that females are disefinfinated against financially. only sixteen percent of US companies have paid maternity leave for women, the United States is the only developed country where paid maternity leave is not enforced by law. Out of the 500 CE "s on CEO's of Fortune 500 companies list, only four percent are women. women could not even obtain credit cards in their own name until 1974 when the Equal credit opportunity Act was passed, years after, the Universal Declaration. of Human bights was declared by the United Nations. 'These discriminatory actions clearly show how humanity stereotypes women as not being responsible and not being as capable of leadership as men. 'The majority of our society has yet to realize the discriminatory actions they possess and their violation- of Human Right Article 23. Through carrying on listening and watching these degrading treatment towards women it's time for someone to put their foot down, Since the beginning of time we have unfortunate) lived y in this eommumty where stereotyping one another and treating women and each other oorl has become � Y acceptable. Its now time for that to be over, we have carried on with our past too long, its time we start learning from our past instead of living with it. Our Human. Rights are here to protect us from all of these things that now are supposedly acceptable in toda y 's world millions are people around the world are not even aware they have Hannan Rights or what they are. I am here to change that, I am here to help educate others, I am here to stop the violations and the are , stereo r esyou with me? P �' Isabel Lieb, Honorable Mention Grade 8, Gary Schwingle/Jeff Bibeau Roseville Area Middle School Race, Homosexuality, and Immigrants Article one of the JLm �ypj�Ll DUIaTafion P-Mman Rights states that you should have the Tight to equality. Yet in the United States, one. of the founding countries of the United Nations, you can still get stopped by the police because of your race, and denied housing, healthcare or an education because of YOUX sexual orientation or your national migin.. There is never a reason to violate someone else's human rights, so why do things like this happen? Many ignorant people think all blacks are criminals, and unfortanately some segments of our society have acted on 'that stereotype. Adcordm'g to a 2003 University of Minnesota report to the state legislature, blacks are more likely to be stopped for racial profiling, which means a police officer can pull you over because you have the saine race as the person they this committed a crime, And in states with the death penalty, if the victim is white, black defendants are three times more likely to be put to death fhan if the defendant is white. The M 11-n-&&Qla.,H m . Righ--tspct should protect blacks from this but it still happens. Stereotypes may be harmless if you never act upon them, but when you do they can create racial discrimination which violates article two 'of the Univer al Dgcil.ara 011 of -ul J all R 1 P-rhts. Many people believe in harmful stereotypes about homosexuals, For example, they might believe gay men carry diseases or that homosexuals are nefarious. Because of these stereotypes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will not allow blood banks to accept any blood from gay men, even though most medical experts are open to it. Sometimes people don 't want to house homosexuals thinking that it would be Knmoral and disgusting, which would IMP ly homosexuals are below humans -- like pets banned from apartments. But homosexuals are entitled to their n*gllt for equality before law. Remember that just because you believe in something, doesn't make it true. Finally, despite a common stereotype, not all immigrants come to the U. S, illegally to steal 0- Ur j obs, If they get J ob s here, they are o ften the ones that we don't want to do, and they can't get very good J obs because , some states have laws that make it difficult for them to receive an education, In the Forth Amendment of the Bill of ffigUt it claims that someone cannot search you without a good reason, and yet m" some southern states police can ask someone for proof that they are a I.J. S. citizen based on their skin color, If they don't have an ID, the U. S, can send them back to where they carne from, even if that means sending them back to a place with a raging drug war. That doesn't sound like the land of the free. So before, you act on a preconceived idea, look at it through your victim's eyes first. As for the blacks who have been discriminated against for their rare, the homosexuals who still aren't completely accepted in our society, and the other thousands of i-MMIgrants like me who came here legally, don't stereotype us for who we are.,, We are all still human and we have our rights. And you -never know, the blacks, homosexuals and immigrants might create the laws in the future. Katie Nguyen, Honorable Mention Grade 8, Lee Thao Roseville Area Middle School Human Rights Essay Igo you embrace your diversity? Your gender? Your race? Religion? Culture? You should. You should be able to take pride in in all those things. Those things that g g make you who you are. You should be able to stand up tall and say o wh you are with � y h confidence, without fear of someone stripping you of that pride or questioning y our equality. But you can't. Not right now , in this society. Because there are, unfortunately, vast amounts of prejudice holding you down, burdening you. Stereotypes defy fy our human rights and injure and damage our mental being and ride of who we are. � All i p � ddlem Eastern people are terrorists, people who are smart are nerds women can't la p y sports, these particular stereotypes just isn't right to society, and therefore , I would like to elaborate in them, so you, the reader, can understand and see from the victim's s perspective. It's true that Middle- Eastern people have done acts of harm against u g s, and we feel constantly threatened, I understand, but the entire race shouldn't be blamed for a certain group's doing. Middle. Eastern people can't even o out in public g p c i without someone being suspicious of them for terrorist acts. And if they want to travel somewhere or has their presence at an airport, the security ake unnecessary ary safety precautions that doesn't apply to other civilians. And Middle- Eastern e ' p ogle can't help but feel insulted for their race. They can't het but feel that criticizing p we are them for their skin color. They can't help but feel disgrace upon their own blood and family. . No one should ever experience that, as human beings, we have to look g � out for each other. we should never make someone feel that way and ' someone just b . judge y his/her skin color. If we do, we are violating Hunan Rights article #12. No one shall he subjected to attacks on his honor and reputation. we have no right to discriminate someone just by his or her exterior appearance. Including Middle- Eastern people, because they have as much reason and right to be anywhere as you. Being intelligent and successful in school is good. Good grades. rood education. Good future. So, why are we calling those who are exceedingly smart, such hurtful names, such as `nerd" or `6loser "? Is it jealousy? or delight of being cruel? whatever it is, bright students are under assumption that they are "nerds" and that they are "uncool ", without even knowing them. In school, they are avoided and shunned. They were rejected in society before they could even get a chance to prove themselves friend-worthy or normal. They didn't have a say in any of these assumptions. Instead, they stay quiet and accept the fact that because they are clever and too sharp-witted, the school community has turned their backs on them for no good reason and that they are labeled as the "geeks of the school ". This damages seven human. rights. Like Human Rights Article 429: Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his/her own personality... purpose of securing clue recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. If someone were to be exceedingly intelligent, shouldn't we praise him/her, Instead of labeling him or her such low names? In the past; women have overcome many struggles and earned themselves rights and freedom., but even now, they aren't treated very equally. The stereotype of how (.6 -women are no good at sports" is a perfect example of modem sexism. half of our entire populations are women. we gained our rights and now we are close to standing on equal footing as men. Though, this false stereotype has been degrading our confidence in physical ability. True is the fact that women are loss famous at sports than men (opinion), but that doesn't mean that we absolutely have no ability to be able to do so. But since we live in a society where certain sports are unisex and certain sports are expected to be (.6men only ", we do not have the courage to do something that society has commented to be `odd" and `gout of place ". If we do, we will be teased and insulted until we prove to be just as physically talented as men. This lowers our self - esteem and strips us of our conviction of our physical ability, and therefore will leave us embarrassed of doing the sports or activities that we want to do and stick to the make -up and princesses. Anyone who discriminates women for playing in sports is damaging her human rights. Human Fights 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. And to deprive women of their confidence in sports and athletic ability is an act of sexism. Stereotypes diminish our rights as humans. But we can't really stop them. They're like an inevitable plague. And no one really has a cure. But, there are organizations out there that try their best to preserve our rights and try to prevent them from being absolutely broken. Such as the Minnesota Human Rights. . Act (MHRA).who enforces the g Bill of Rights (BOR) and the UDiversal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and follows their written text, which was all establish to ensure humanity and it's success. Though the fact that the stereotypes that all Middle - Eastern people are terrorists, intelligent students are `nerds ", and women aren't good at sports is quickly diminishing my hope for a prejudice free society where all human rights are respected and obeyed. g p y And you, the reader who has read nay point of view as a victim, have something to thinly about. How do stereotypes affect our society and how do they damage human rights? I think that stereotypes are really hurtful and they negatively affect our society and human rights by damaging it and giving the impression of doubt in our government. But I also think that there are a lot of people out there who are trying their utmost best to protect our human rights and cease stereotypes and hopefully, someday we'll eventually reach our dream society. 2014-2015 essay contest question Jokes or comments are commonly made, both accidentally and intentionally, at the expense of certain groups of people. Some individuals and organized groups actively work to stop hurtful speech. Provide at least 2 specific examples of how language results in the violation of or protection of human rights. Be sure to identify the message, who it is from, who it affects and how it affects them. Reference the US Constitution, the UN Declaration of HR or the US Bill of Rights in your answer . FirstPlace EliteThor 7thGrade,RAMS Mr.JeffBibeau SecondPlace #12 ElizabethHansel 8thGrade Ms.Crystal Archer ThirdPlace JuliaBrand #28 8thGrade Mr.LeeThao Prejudice and stereotypes affect the way we perceive and interact with each other, even when we don’t realize it. How do stereotypes affect our society, and how do they damage human rights? Where in your life have you seen prejudice and/or stereotypes, and how has seeing/experiencing that affected you personally? What ACTION can you take regarding this experienced or witnessed discrimination? Reference the US Constitution, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or the Bill of Rights in your answer.