How I was introduced to human rights and social justice issues

From a very young age, I was always interested in learning about helping others. I also loved to learn about different cultures from all around the world. I remember watching middle eastern news such as Al-Jazeera and Press TV with my parents and pestering them with questions to the point where they would sigh in exhaustion and send me to my room to read a book or do something more elementary school girl-like. Not that my parents forced their political beliefs down my throat or brainwashed me into believing certain things, because they definitely didn't. I just often overheard their political conversations and watched the news with them, only half paying attention because I honestly couldn't keep up with the dense issues they often talked about. 

My interest in social justice didn't come until later around 8th grade and freshmen year when I joined a social blogging platform called Tumblr. Tumblr and I became inseperable. I spent almost every day on Tumblr reading about others' lives, reblogging pleasing pictures, and liking hilarious posts. Naturally, I also came to learn a lot about the world especially many oppressed people in the America, including women, LGBTQ+ advocates, and other minorities. I at first thought that these people were making a big deal out of it and complained about very minuscule things. But after a while, I came to realize that when thought about, these issues are actually very significant in affecting the bigger picture. I slowly became introduced into the world of progressivism, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. 

Learning about the flaws of the world often made me angry, sad, and upset that changes in the world aren't happening fast enough. I will admit that I still sometimes get angry and upset about the realities of the world. But it is important to know that change comes very slowly, and that it also comes with many people making the effort, instead of sitting around waiting for others to do it. If you are just being introduced to social justice issues and human rights, you should be reminded that you should always stick up for what you believe in, and fight for it too. While we may think we are just one average human in the world of billions of humans, it is also important to remember this quote by Libba Bray, "And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time."

My first experience at a human rights protest

On July 24th, 2014, I attended my first pro-Palestine protest. The recent events in Palestine that summer ignited reactions from all over the world, whether in Japan, London, Chicago, or even Israel, people came together to demand an end to Israeli apartheid and the inhumane bombings in Gaza. One protest took place in Iowa City which was the one I was fortunate enough to go to.
It started with a friend who texted me about the information a day earlier. Because I wasn't able to go to a protest in Chicago I was originally planning on going to, going to the one in Iowa City instead seemed like a perfect opportunity. I told my parents and a few friends in Cedar Rapids about it who I felt would be interested. A friend contacted me back and we decided we would both drive to Iowa City to participate in this protest. I bought a poster and wrote "END ISRAELI AGGRESSION. Free Palestine." As pictured below. We took the 40 minute drive from Cedar Rapids to downtown Iowa City.

When my friend and I finally reached the Pentacrest, where the protest was held, we were surprised by the amount of people showing their support. There were a good 40-50 people which definitely wasn't as much as the thousands that showed up in Chicago or the hundreds of thousands in London, but it was definitely a strong group who made their voices heard. 

We chanted things such as "Free Free Palestine!" and "End the Siege on Gaza Now!" I was even interviewed on KCRG, and the protest was featured on the evening news. Despite our permit not specifically saying we could do this, we marched through the streets and continued assertively shouting slogans. Many people honked in support, raised their thumbs up, and shouted encouragement. Some also insulted, called us terrorists supporters, and threw things at us. 

Despite the little hate we got, coming together with people of all backgrounds and ages to unite for an important cause was a good experience. I met many people who were from Palestine, went to Palestine, or just merely wanted to show their support --like me-- and had very interesting stories and experiences there. I also met a few Veterans for Peace who shared their poems and experiences in the military and the Middle East. By the end of the event, my throat was scratchy and my legs were tired. 

Being at this protest made me feel proud to show my support. It was also a good experience to meet new people who shared my ideas. I would definitely like to attend more of these protests and maybe even organize a few of my own. 

I encourage you to join protests about causes you feel passionate for. Whether it's about exercising your freedom of speech, or standing up for a good cause, your support truly matters. 

Police Brutality in America

To be a police officer, you are meant to protect and serve the citizens. However, in modern day America, this may not be the case. An increasing amount of police brutality has been going on in America, including the  case with Michael Brown, a post I wrote about earlier this weekend.

Wikepedia defines police brutality as "the wanton use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer." Police brutality is no longer a few policemen making making wrong decisions or going crazy, but rather a systemic issue. Police brutality happens for a number of reasons.
First off, Police are expected to use force because their superiors and the citizens expect them to, so gradually and over time they develop a sense of superiority and authority over others. Because of this higher feeling, they typically feel as though they can do anything, including misconduct of violence. Another, more pressing issue is racism. It it no coincidence that minorities, including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Jessica Klyzek, Darrin Manning, Neykeyia Parker, William Pryer, and most recently Daniele Watts are unfairly targeted more than white people, due to systematic and institutionalized racism and the increasing violence towards minorities especially African Americans. 

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If you don't believe me, listen to these statistics: 89% of the people who died in NYPD custody between the years 1990 and 1994 were African American or Hispanic (Elisha, Joshua, & Zenobia). In 2012, at least 313 African Americans were killed. Which means that every 28 hours, another African American was killed due to brutality by security officers or police men. (found here) Not to mention that while African Americans make up 13.1% of our nation's population, nearly 40% are in prison. Still don't believe me? Watch this video of a man maced and arrested by a security guard merely because he was passing by a white man aggravating a group of pro-Palestine protesters.
So how do we solve this problem? Well ending police brutality isn't as simple as signing a petition or going out on the streets to protest, while that does certainly help shed a light and raise awareness on the current injustices, as well as show your support, ending police brutality means all of us, but specifically police, must put an end to racial profiling and violence. Laws must be put in place to give police the adequate training they need to deal with situations where violence is unneeded, as well as to only use violence as a very last resort. Police officers need mental and psychological training as well as complete a test to make sure they're the right kind of people to maintain and protect justice and the law.
So, take to the streets, vote out politicians who condone police brutality, join organizations and movements in your town, and if you don't have them, start them. Ending police brutality is definitely something that requires many people, no matter how big or small, to support.

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Remembering Michael Brown and the Aftermath

Michael Brown was born on May 20th, 1996 and was the son of Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr. He attended Normandy High School and graduated 8 days before his death. Teachers though of him as a "gentle giant" and "a student who loomed large and didn't cause trouble." Brown had no previous criminal record or serious felony convictions.

Michael Brown was an amateur rapper and posted his tracks online under the name of "Big Mike." He planned to attend Vatterott College and become a heating and cooling engineer. While most of his friends wanted to be sports players, he wanted to own his own business. (Source)

Then suddenly, on August 9th, 2014, Michael Brown, unarmed, walking home with a friend, was shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

Your first question must probably be: "Why? Why did he shoot Michael Brown? Surely something else must have happened."

Now, it is said that prior to the incident Brown and his friend went to a convenience store and stole cigars, however, police clarified that at the time of the shooting, Wilson was unaware of this, and stopped Michael Brown for jaywalking and not the robbery.

Video tape of Brown allegedly robbing store

The simple, yet controversial answer is this: it's because of the ongoing police brutality among minorities and lower-class citizens. Racism and ignorance unfortunately played a big role in Michael Brown's death.

Wilson never faced serious consequences for his actions and is currently on paid leave.

The reaction of the Ferguson citizens was what you'd expect. Peaceful yet assertive protests demanding justice for Brown and his family. Slogans such as "Hands Up Don't Shoot" and "Black Lives Matter" were chanted and written on posters.

 A few protesters began to loot shops during protests, so police came in and began to throw teargases at the entirety of protesters, use violence, and shoot rubber bullets. The media reported the protests as "riots," which led to let most people assume that these protests were violent and the police were coming in to keep it calm, when in fact it was the other way around.

Ferguson protests continue, and so does the demand for the justice of Mike Brown. The question is, how do we prevent this from going on? Well many argue that we must improve the counselling for police officers and force them to go through psychology and mental health classes, and make sure they're not only physically, but also mentally prepared for becoming an officer. However, another solution is even more difficult to get rid of, and that is the rampant racism our country has been built on. Even though we may feel like racism is long gone in America, we still have a long way to go, and Michael Brown's murder is a clear example.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Donate to Michael Brown's family
Help the citizens and city of Ferguson
Demand an end to police brutality