Rhinebeck's Anne McGrath weighs in with essay below-- join her online with your thoughts!...

Hi all...

Recently Rhinebeck's Anne McGrath submitted this essay below for this blog as part of this contest:

[email us @ joeltyner@earthlink.net with your essays-- 500 words or less to us by the end of January on what you think Eleanor Roosevelt might say and do if she were here today in Dutchess County in 2009!]

"On the sixtieth anniversary of United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights I wonder what the drafter, Eleanor-Roosevelt, might think about how “We the Peoples” are doing with respect to upholding the rights contained in the Declaration. With her unyielding optimism, boundless energy, and passionate belief in human dignity, I think Eleanor would actively promote public awareness of the vision behind the declaration and its relevance to our daily lives.

Unlike myself, she would not focus on the substantial ground lost in the advancement of human rights around the world since Sept. 11, 2001. While Americans proclaimed the virtues of democracy and plastered American flags across their SUVs, our government was actively involved in undermining struggles for individual rights and freedom. We lost our moral credibility on the subject and must recognize our mistakes if we are to reaffirm our commitment to universal justice. I’m reeling from stories revealing our government’s reckless abandonment of habeas corpus, lack of involvement with the United Nations, and ongoing violence in Bosnia, Rwanda, and Dafur. In the Hudson Valley, as around the world, there are still people who live in extreme poverty, are denied access to health care, education, or work and are discriminated against because of their gender, religion, race, or beliefs. It is overwhelming.

But Eleanor, as Adlai Stevenson said “would rather light a candle than curse the darkness”. She would more likely see this as an unparalleled and historic opportunity. President-elect Obama is uniquely equipped with eloquence, vision, and the obstacle-bashing background to lead by example and speak out against injustice and oppression. His win shows that the majority of Americans found these qualities necessary for global stability. Eleanor wanted as many nations as possible to espouse that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, but she believed these rights begin in our own small neighborhoods, schools, and places of work. She said “without concerted citizen action to uphold (these rights) close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” She would say, above all else, get involved in the issues important to you and don’t become complacent.

We all, each and every one of us, can decide to demonstrate good character towards one another and speak out when human rights are violated. We can get involved in our local communities and defend actions to improve the lives of our citizens. Some of these actions are small and go unnoticed. Others may require heroic efforts. All are important to the global conscience raising. We must remember that no matter our differences, every person deserves equal justice, opportunity, and respect without discrimination."