Grade 12

The Power Of The Black Vote: Shaping America’s Future

Source: Forbes

The author of this article urges Black Americans to exercise their hard-won right to vote this year.

‘The chilling effect’: behind GOP-led states’ efforts to purge some voters from the rolls

Source: The Guardian

Some state governments are removing people from voter rolls in an effort to make sure non-citizens don’t vote illegally. Voting rights activists are concerned–not only that these states may remove some eligible voters in this process, but that these actions will discourage some citizens from voting.

Ben Franklin’s Famous ‘Liberty, Safety’ Quote Lost Its Context In 21st Century

Source: NPR

Benjamin Franklin famously said that those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. What did he really mean?

Iran women’s protests are the focus of ‘Persepolis’ author Marjane Satrapi’s new book

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

In her new book, Marjane Satrapi collaborates with other graphic novelists and cartoonists to highlight the Iranian women’s movement.

Looking Ahead to a Pivotal Year for Global Freedom

Source: Freedom House

According to this article, 2024 is a critical year for democracy and human rights around the world, especially because many countries will be holding major elections this year.

Celebrating the human rights wins of 2023

Source: Amnesty International

Wondering if there is any good news from the front lines of the struggle for freedom? Check out this list of human rights wins of 2023 from Amnesty International.

Activists turn backs on US officials as UN-backed human rights review of United States wraps up

Source: AP News

Is the U.S. doing enough to protect human rights? Not according to a group of activists who held a silent protest at a recent United Nations hearing. Click here to learn more about the protest.

Activists say the human rights movement is failing

Source: Politico

International human rights activists at the 2023 Oslo Freedom Forum expressed concerns about losing ground to dictators and oppressive governments across the world.

Online social change: Easy to organize, hard to win

Source: TED

Author Zeynep Tufekci looks around the world at how social media can both power freedom movements and weaken them.

UN Says AI Poses ‘Serious Risk’ For Human Rights

Source: Barron's

Could artificial intelligence open the door to the loss of human rights and liberties? Officials at the United Nations are concerned about the threats that advances in AI could pose to human rights.

Everyday people were civil rights heroes, too. This is the story of one town’s fight

Source: NPR

This article highlights the struggle for equality in the town of Oxford, North Carolina.

Barbara Johns: The US’ forgotten civil rights hero

Source: BBC

In 1951, 16-year-old Barbara Johns found herself in the middle of the fight to end segregation in American schools, an effort she compared to “reaching for the moon.”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Source: United Nations

Rising from the inhumanity of World War II, the United Nations was established. In 1948, it set forth this declaration of what rights all people the world over should have.

Around the world, protesters take to the streets in solidarity with Iranian women

Source: NPR

This article describes recent worldwide protests against the Iranian government’s oppression of women and girls.

The librarian who defied the Taliban

Source: BBC

Meet Wahida Amiri, a librarian and book-lover forced to flee her homeland after she spoke out against the Taliban and demanded equal rights for Afghan women.

The Purges in the USSR

Source: History Learning Site

The systematic elimination of people viewed as political enemies is nothing new. Learn about Stalin’s ruthless purges during the 1930s.

A Battle between Voting Laws and Voting Rights

Source: Carnegie Corporation of New York

Click here to find out more about the Brennan Center for Justice and its efforts to defend systems of democracy in the United States by reporting on ongoing legislative efforts to restrict voting rights.

What America’s voting rights activists can learn from past movements for civil rights

Source: The Conversation

The author of this opinion piece reminds his readers that throughout our nation’s history, the struggle for equity and equality has always faced resistance. He urges activists to be strong and resilient as they work to ensure voting rights for all Americans.

Constance Baker Motley Taught the Nation How to Win Justice

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Click this link to learn about the nation’s first Black female federal judge and her important contributions to the Civil Rights movement.

How gospel music helped power the Civil Rights Movement

Source: Brown University

Click this link to read about the long-standing connection between music and activism in Black American culture, including the vital role of gospel music as a form of protest.

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