Description
Book SynopsisMany young people aren’t aware that determined individuals created the rights we now take for granted. The idea of human rights is relatively recent, coming out of a post–World War II effort to draw nations together and prevent or lessen suffering.
Righting Wrongs introduces children to the true stories of 20 real people who invented and fought for these ideas. Without them, many of the rights we take for granted would not exist.
These heroes have promoted women’s, disabled, and civil rights; action on climate change; and the rights of refugees. These advocates are American, Sierra Leonean, Norwegian, and Argentinian. Eleven are women. Two identified as queer. Twelve are people of color. One campaigned for rights as a disabled person. Two identify as Indigenous. Two are Muslim and two are Hindu, and others range from atheist to devout Christian. There are two journalists, one general, three lawyers, one Episcopal priest, one torture victim, and one Holocaust survivor.
Their stories of hope and hard work show how people working together can change the world for the better.Trade Review" Righting Wrongs plunges readers into not only the achievements of a group of influential human rights advocates, but also the how and why they came to undertake such daunting and complex work. This book provides thorough context about the complicated and ever-changing environments in which human rights activism takes place, while also sparking curiosity. The study guides, glossary, and list of sites to visit invite readers to see the text as a jumping off point for their own engagement with human rights activism down the street and on the other side of the world." Kyle Knight, senior researcher on health and LGBT rights, Human Rights Watch
Table of ContentsIntroduction
The Man in White: Henri Dunant
Europe’s Conscience: Fridtjof Nansen
The White Flame: Eglantyne Jebb
The Towering Intellect: Peng Chun (P. C.) Chang
Equality, Not Special Status: Hansi Mehta
Masters of their Fate: Carlos RÓmulo
The Incurable Optimist: Ralph J. Bunche
A Case for Humanity: Benjamin Ferencz
Imp, Crusader, Dude: Pauli Murray
Art as Protest: VÍctor Jara*
Determination, Patience, Insistence: Juan E. MÉndez
The Tightrope Walker: Shirin Ebadi
Refusing to Be Silent: Judith Heumann
Humans Are Animals Are Humans: Ingrid Newkirk
Reclaiming the Meaning of Peace: Jody Williams
The Long Road: S. James Anaya
The Reporter: Anna Politkovskaya*
The Accidental Environmentalist: Catherine Coleman Flowers
Sacred Rivers: Berta CÁceres*
The Tigress: FannyAnn Eddy*
Acknowledgements
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Sites to Visit
Time Line
Glossary
Selected bibliography
