In our
lessons, your learned that the United States says it does not have to submit to
the United Nations' rules and oversight because the United States already
respects human rights. It commonly is said that "human rights are as
American as apple pie." While it seems to be a silly quote, what it
captures is that human rights are meant to be part of America's creed. The
United States reminds us that our nation literally sprung from notions of
"human rights". But, a review of history reveals that human rights
simply have not been applied to all. Most commonly, we recognize the history of
oppression suffered by African Americans. But, in the lessons for 10/5, you
examined the history of Native oppression. While you might have heard about this
history in a general sense, little discussion occurs in the United States
regarding the true extent of Native genocide. The destruction of Natives
extended beyond the killing, and extends to the taking of their religion and
even "Native" or "Indigenous" identity itself. These
examples are aplenty. You now can earn points by showing you can use these examples
to explore how the United States has violated the same "human rights"
doctrines it requires of other nations.
Instructions 1) Consider our lessons on the
human rights doctrines (see UDHR and the covenants)
2) Choose three
(3) of the below human rights of interest to you. To learn more about the right, read the Textbook chapter. (the book can be accessed here) Textbook: Human Rights - A Short History: --Chapter
4- Torture –Chapter
5- Deprivations of life and liberty –Chapter
6- Speech and Belief –Chapter
7- Food, education, health,
housing, and work Chapter
8 – Discrimination and
equality
3) Watch or read about (you
don't have to do both), Native history from the lessons for 10/5. As you watch,
apply your understanding to these chapters by finding an example for at least
three (3) each of the below human rights: Textbook: Human Rights - A Short
History: -- Chapter 4- Torture -- Chapter 5- Deprivations of life and liberty
--Chapter 6- Speech and Belief --Chapter 7- Food, education, health, housing,
and work --Chapter 8 – Discrimination and equality 4) In approx. 500-750 words
(1 - 1 1/2 pages if single spaced), use specifically cited references and
explanations from each: the documentaries or textbook regarding history,
supporting materials, and our course lessons, to address each (note, you can
answer it in one combined essay, or separated into each short-answer): For each
of the three (3) human rights you choose answer:
(4a) For the first human right
you chose from the above list, answer (4ai) List the human right (4aii) Show
you understood that human right by describing it briefly (a few sentences) in
your own words. Do not just cut and paste from the internet, you must
specifically cite our course materials. (4aiii) In about a paragraph or two,
describe at least one
(1) scene or scenario from
the textbook or video where Natives were denied that right. Your answer cannot
just generally say "Natives were discriminated against" or
"Natives were killed." To earn points, you must do both: (4aiii-1)
Prove you watched the documentary or read the textbook by describing the
scenario you are applying that right to. (to illustrate: "In the Trail of
Tears video, there was a scene showing children and elderly people unable to
walk through the snow being left on the side of the road to die....")
(4aiii-2) You must explain how you are applying that human right to that
scene. (to illustrate: "Being forced to walk miles through the snow is
torture under the United Nations' Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment because according to Chap. 4 of
Short History, nations cannot do ....") (4b) For example
2, answer each of the questions (4ai-aiii)
(4c) For example 3, answer each of the questions (4ai-aiii) This means, there
are three sets of answers, one for each of the human rights violations you
identify in Native history (as evidenced by the videos or textbook). Grading
Criteria Check to see you have answered all parts of the question. You are
challenged to: 1) explore those "entitlements"/rights that the United
Nations claims to protect (e.g.,
right not to be tortured); 2) illustrate the depth of your understanding by
explaining how these rights could exist across settings - applying it to Native
history,
3) form an opinion about what the violations tells you about US Policies on Human Right, 4) explain and support your position using specific references to the course materials. You are required to review all the Native history in our lesson 10/5, but you can choose to learn the history using the videos or textbook (you are not required to do both). Regardless of whichever you choose, you do not need to keep detailed notes on every name or date. But you will want to be able to generally describe specific scenes to support your opinion. There is no "correct" answer or response. Do not feel the need to master the topic or conduct extensive outside research. Rather, your answer should reflect your ability to: Recall and retrieve relevant knowledge from your course material; Recognize pertinent examples that specifically illustrate your understanding of the example you chose. You must decide which examples are relevant and apply to the problem. Critically analyze the course materials by making and explaining the connections between concepts and historical accounts. The more on-point your example is, the greater your points; Summarize and highlight the main points briefly. Duplicate, irrelevant, inaccurate, and/or loosely-related excerpts will affect your grade. More than a citation to the course materials is required. You must explain the example/excerpt in your own words so we know how the lesson is being applied.
Torture is against the United
Nations covenant, but the US government has, in most cases, been on record for
violating human rights. Torture is an act of subjecting an individual to
suffering to extract confessions and get actual proof to be used for their
convictions at trial (Clapham, 2007). Despite the common law prohibiting
torture, the king allowed it to torture people under a particular procedure. An
example is torture was in 1605 when Guy Fawkes was caught trying to blow up the
House of Parliament (Clapham, 2007). Fawkes was tortured into giving the name
of the accomplices.