3/13/2025

This week we'll explore the next ten Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Again, if you want more information about this document, please go to the following website: Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations. 

This document ensures fundamental human rights to people around the world, including us in the United States. It's difficult to define or explain what we mean by the phrase “people have a right…,” and these articles describe what that means. We're fortunate to live in the United States where our founding fathers included similar language in our constitution.

Please note that each Article depends on how we interpret actions associated with the human rights being discussed. In fact, professional lawyers and experts working full-time build their careers find ways to analyze and support our human rights. 

Let’s dive into each Article and ask ourselves crucial questions. 

Article 11 aligns nicely with the rights we have as US citizens – presumed innocent until proven guilty. During our history as a country there have been times where this has been more difficult to maintain. How are we doing in this time period? 

One of the Articles most open to interpretation is Article 12, as it speaks to interference with privacy, family, home, honor and reputation. Can you see some room for interpretation related to social media posting and posts?

Article 13 – 15 are particularly interesting in the context of the debates we are having around immigration in the United States. It may be helpful to remember the context of human rights no matter which side of the political debate you stand on. Article 16 relates to marriage which can also be a divisive political discussion. Can human rights be seen through the lens of politics? Does that in effect negate the whole reason to build a structure around human rights?

Articles 18 – 20 may be some of the most difficult Articles to interpret. These deal with freedoms to hold opinions, express them, and be independent. All too often we're comfortable with people having their own opinion as long as it fits within our experience of the world. But in the context of human rights people can have their own opinions and it may sometimes appear to be quite different, even from another world. How do you react when someone has a different opinion than you? 

For those reading this and wondering how this fits into the education theme for this week…..it is imperative that we keep learning, growing and exploring the world around us to broaden our understanding of human rights, for ourselves and for others.

Take a moment and imagine what we’d ask ourselves after receiving devastating health news. Will our health insurance cover this (if you have it)? Do we have a way to consistently get to our appointments? Do we have a safe place to live? Can we keep our homes if we miss work due to this? Will my friends and family be there for me?

For those we help, unfortunately those questions are met with extreme uncertainty. For this reason, PWA urges you to consider making a planned monthly donation to PWA. For as little as $30 a month, you can help heat a home in the winter and have A/C in the summer. For $50 a month you help children get a healthy breakfast each day. For $100 a month, you can help provide a housing deposit that allows a single parent to move into an apartment. 

In today’s challenging times, let’s come together to make sure that we can help as many as possible.

This past weekend, you and countless others took part in our popcorn fundraiser, powered by Double Good. 

Thanks to supporters like you, we were able to raise close to $1,000.00 in one weekend! 

We appreciate all who participated! We hope you enjoy your popcorn watching the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, and Championship Game!