amnesty, international Options

[innovation]

Dear Createblog,

As a high school sophomore, I have been constantly discouraged by the apathy of my peers for human rights violations around the world. Whenever I discuss with them the detriments of international human rights deprivation or urge them to join Amnesty International, a human rights relief cause, they respond mockingly, as if the prisoners of conscience in developing nations are not worthy of their attention.

The problem is awareness. Teens today are too absorbed in their comfortable worlds of designer clothes and $300 I-Pod's and do not realize the magnitude of universal human rights. People are being imprisoned for their religious practices and peaceful expressions; women are being forced to abort their unborn babies; children are being pushed into armed conflict and oppressing labor; young girls are trafficked and sold into the sex trade against their will. It is absolutely crucial that this generation realizes that we, as an international community, must unite and take action.

Therefore, on behalf of Amnesty International, I would like to inform you about the organization and urge you to follow our lead in taking international action.

Amnesty International is a worldwide campaign that fights for internationally recognized standards of human rights, as stated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These include the essential liberties of society: the freedom to life, verbal expression, and basic education, among many others. Amnesty is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or region. We are devoted solely to the prevention and termination of widely spread human rights deprivation, as well as protection of the victims. As an international body with over 1.8 million members in over 150 countries, we, the members of Amnesty, are united in our unflagging concern and effort in combating human rights violations. The solution is not immediate; however, through promoting these values, we are setting examples for the rest of our generation.

So how can you help? We ask for no monetary donations. Our mission is achieved through sending letters of concern and disapproval to various political leaders around the world. In pressuring and urging them to take action against human rights violations, Amnesty International has freed religious prisoners, suffering citizens, and child laborers from the burden of injustice. In taking this personal initiative, you are helping the world to combat human rights violations and promote international justice.

We are asking you to contribute to the cause out of integrity, respect, and genuine sympathy. Too long have we been sheltered both physically and emotionally from the world’s realities. We urge you to look past this world of I-Pods and Saturday night movies, past the grades and SATs, past the comfort of SUV’s and cell phones. While you wish for a new car, others across the world wish for the right to speak. Please realize that these international issues are not simply an Amnesty International thing; this is your world, your generation, and your action. Therefore, once again, we urge you to take the responsibility to display your concern by simply sending a letter or two. You were given the right to express, the skill of literacy, and the gift of communication. Please utilize these benefits for a greater cause. If you have any questions, feel free to direct them to me through email or through posting.

Visit www.amnesty.org for more information for participating in relief missions or starting your own chapter.

With utmost concern and encouragement,
Mindy Zhang
Amnesty International
nerdish@gmail.com

[RiddleMeWonders]

Actually alot of my friends are getting into the movement stuff.. I am too... My boyfriend actually told me the other night that I don't have a voice.... and that made me angry. I do have a voice. We all do. And it's our responsibilty to use it, because there are people that don't have a choice.

Lindsey