International Human Rights Day

My Labor Brothers, Sisters, and Siblings,

On this day we mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We mark a proclamation that every person, through sheer virtue of their existence, is entitled to unalienable rights. We are all imbued not by our creator, but by our own shared universal humanity with the right to life, equality, freedom, liberty, and security of person. 

It is our responsibility as humans to stand up for our siblings when we see injustice; that is what it means to be an ally. It means speaking up when you see the oppression of someone else. It means protesting unjust actions and unjust governments. Protecting another person’s human rights often requires that you risk your own safety, your own reputation, your own human rights. It means not just showing solidarity with those most vulnerable, but standing with them in solidarity.  

All over the world there are atrocious, heinous, inhumane acts being committed. Within our local’s constitution is the promise to work with our labor siblings locally, nationally, and internationally toward the improvement of life and work for all laborers and toward the genuine solidarity of all workers. We are called to stand against war, oppression, genocide, racism, and more, not just on the other side of the world, but at home in our communities, too. 

So, as we acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I implore you to look around your community: reach out a hand to those in need, offer to help, and be vulnerable with them. It’s the most humane thing you can do. 

In the words of the singularly magnanimous F. M. Rogers, “peace, like love or like hope, is an action one can take, something that can be done, not just something that might arrive.”

Humbly,

CG Brothers

DEIJ Committee Chair