SPEAK TRUTH HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHO ARE CHANGING OUR WORLD TO POWER

Based on the book by | Photography by EDDIE ADAMS and ARCHITECTS OF PEACE Containing excerpts from the play Speak Truth To Power: Voices from Beyond the Dark by ARIEL DORFMAN ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS KERRY KENNEDY

In a world where a common lament is that there are no more defenders are members of groups that have endured sustained heroes, cynicism and despair are too often perceived as repression, and so have come to a natural understanding of the evidence of the death of moral courage. That perception is issues and desire to overcome the wrongs. Others saw injustice wrong. People of great valor and heart, committed to a noble in a community they were not a part of and took up the cause. purpose, with long records of personal sacrifice, walk among And still others had enjoyed the comforts of being among the us in every country of the world. Nearly 20 years ago, I traveled elite in their countries, yet risked banishment—and worse—to the globe to 40 countries and five continents, interviewing the right wrongs committed by their peers. individuals who appear in the pages of the first edition of Speak Despite the overwhelming powers arrayed against them, Truth to Power, and in the Ariel Dorfman play. These are people these men and women are, as a whole, an optimistic lot. In my whose lives are filled with extraordinary feats of bravery. I’ve interview with Archbishop Tutu, he emphasized this attitude, listened to them speak about the quality and nature of courage, saying, “We have a God who doesn’t say, ‘Ah, got you!’ No. God and in their stories, I have found hope and inspiration, a vision says, ‘Get up,’ and God dusts us off and God says, ‘Try again.’” of a better world. Perhaps the stance should be qualified as less optimistic than For many of these heroes, their understanding of the hopeful. Overwhelmingly pragmatic and realistic about the abrogation of human rights has been profoundly shaped by prospects for change, all too aware of the challenges they their personal experiences: of death threats, imprisonment, face, nonetheless they continue to roll their boulders back up and in some cases, bodily harm. But this is not, by any measure, the hill. a compilation of victims. Rather, courage, with its affirmation These voices provide, most of all, a call to action, much of possibility and change, is what defines them, singly and needed because human rights violations often occur under together. Each spoke with compelling eloquence of the causes the cover of darkness, in remote places. For many of those to which they have devoted their lives, and for which they are who suffer, isolation is their worst enemy, and exposure of the willing to sacrifice—from freedom of expression to the rule of atrocities is their only hope. We must bring the international law, from environmental defense to the eradication of bonded spotlight to violations and broaden the community of those labor, from access to capital to the right to due process, from who know and care about the individuals portrayed. This alone women’s rights to religious liberty. These leaders hold in may well stop a disappearance, cancel a torture session, even common an inspiring record of accomplishment and a profound save a life. capacity to ignite change. I grew up in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where our The defenders’ own voices provoke fundamental questions: prophets were painted on ceilings and our saints were sealed Why do people who face imprisonment, torture, and death in stained glass. They were superhuman, untouchable, continue to pursue their work when the chance of success is and so we were freed from the burden of their challenge. so remote and the personal consequences are so grave? Why But here on Earth, these defenders and countless others did they become involved? What keeps them going? What like them are living, breathing human beings in our midst. is the source of their strength and inspiration? How do they Their determination, valor, and commitment in the face of overcome their fear? How do they measure success? Out of overwhelming danger challenge each of us to take up the their answers emerges a sympathetic and strength-giving torch for a more decent society. portrait of the power of personal resolve and determination Today we are blessed by the presence of these people. in the face of injustice. These fundamental questions are of They are teachers who show us not how to be saints, but how special interest to me personally. As a mother of three girls, I to be fully human. deeply wished to understand if there were steps I could take In the Speak Truth to Power lessons, you will find the to encourage my daughters to develop similar attributes, or stories of the world’s most courageous people and ways that if moral courage is something certain people are born with, educators from kindergarten through university can bring those while the rest of us (with our own lesser sensibilities) are left to stories to life in the classroom and beyond. muddle through. And if we are capable of less, are we off the Robert F. Kennedy once called education “the key to human hook? Condemned to be sinners, is there any point in striving dignity”—the key to a more just and peaceful world. to be saints? Several defenders recalled an early moment or incident Onward, that galvanized their social conscience forever. Some told Kerry Kennedy stories of searing childhood encounters with injustice. Many President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

3 THE PROJECT “WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?”

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ Speak Truth to Power (STTP) performance in Doha, Qatar, was transmitted live on the Arab HUMAN RIGHTS ARE THE RIGHTS A PERSON HAS SIMPLY BECAUSE SHE OR HE IS A HUMAN BEING. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE program evolved from Kerry Kennedy’s book Speak Truth news network Al Jazeera and read by 10 of the most celebrated HELD BY ALL PERSONS EQUALLY, UNIVERSALLY, AND FOREVER. to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our actors and singers of the Arab world. It has also been performed Human rights are inalienable: You cannot lose these rights any more than you can cease being a human being. Human World, printed first in English in 2000 and since then in seven by schoolchildren, college students, local heroes, and even rights are indivisible: You cannot be denied a right because it is “less important” or “nonessential.” Human rights are additional languages. Featuring interviews with more than 50 prisoners. In 2014, at the European Union in Brussels, several interdependent: All human rights are part of a complementary framework. For example, your ability to participate human rights defenders, including Nobel Peace Prize laureates members of the European Parliament, including Martin Schulz, in your government is directly affected by your right to express yourself, to get an education, and even to obtain the Wangari Maathai, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, , and its president, performed the play. necessities of life. Muhammad Yunus, the book is a remarkable tribute to the The Speak Truth to Power human rights education indomitable human spirit. curriculum, composed of over 50 lesson plans, has taught Another definition of human rights is those basic standards without which people cannot live with dignity. To violate Alongside the interviews in the original book are portraits by millions of students from kindergarten through law school in someone’s human rights is to treat that person as though she or he were not a human being. To advocate for human Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Eddie Adams, which have Africa, Asia, Europe, , and South America that rights is to demand that the human dignity of all people be respected. In claiming these human rights, everyone also since been developed into a museum-quality exhibition. The they, too, can make a difference in the global struggle for accepts the responsibility not to infringe on the rights of others and to support those whose rights are abused or denied. exhibition began its international tour at the Corcoran Gallery justice. STTP uses the stories of courageous heroes from around in Washington, D.C., and has since traveled to four continents, the world to teach students about human rights and empower Human rights are both inspirational and practical. Human rights principles hold up the vision of a free, just, and peaceful reaching countries such as Cambodia, Greece, Italy, Qatar, them to become defenders themselves. What sets STTP apart is world, and set minimum standards for how individuals and institutions everywhere should treat people. Human rights Slovakia, Spain, South Africa, and South Korea. Most recently it its power to inspire action: As students begin to self-identify as also empower people with a framework for action when those minimum standards are not met, for people still have was displayed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood human rights defenders, they learn to take active roles in the human rights, even if the laws or those in power do not recognize or protect them. Marshall Airport for six months, major train stations throughout work of creating a more just and peaceful world. We experience our human rights every day when we worship according to our beliefs, or choose not to worship at all; Sweden, and in public spaces across Norway. In addition to the curriculum and the play, the STTP project when we debate and criticize government policies; when we join a trade union; or when we travel to other parts of the Award-winning playwright Ariel Dorfman adapted the book includes a video contest, in partnership with the American country or overseas. Although we usually take these actions for granted, people both here in the and in into a play, Speak Truth to Power: Voices From Beyond the Federation of Teachers (and the Tribeca Film Institute, and a other countries do not enjoy all these liberties equally. Human rights violations occur when a parent abuses a child; Dark. Hosted by then-President Bill Clinton, the play premiered music contest, in partnership with the GRAMMY Museum. Both when a family is homeless; when a school provides inadequate education; when women are paid less than men; or at the Kennedy Center in 2000. PBS broadcast a one-hour contests encourage students to create change through film when one person steals from another. Human rights are an everyday issue. video of the performance as part of its Great Performances and music. series. Many of our greatest actors have appeared in the play, Speak Truth to Power encourages governments, NGOs, including , Glenn Close, , Sean major foundations, and individuals to support human rights, Penn, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Sheen, and . It and brings much-needed attention to continuing abuses. But has been produced across the United States and performed perhaps its most lasting effect will be to demonstrate the by prominent actors in capitals around the world. Notably, a capacity of each individual to create change. BECOME A DEFENDER

Everyone can become a defender, whether they have one day 1 DAY: If you have one day to take action, plan an activity that or an entire academic year. Following are a few examples of is simple and focused, such as writing letters or organizing an “PEOPLE OF GREAT VALOR AND HEART, COMMITTED TO how you can support students in their efforts to be defenders. information day in your school. A NOBLE PURPOSE, WITH LONG RECORDS OF PERSONAL TIPS: 1 WEEK: If you have a week to take action, focus on an event or SACRIFICE, WALK AMONG US IN EVERY COUNTRY Have a strategy: program that builds from awareness to action. For example, begin by educating your target community about the issue, then provide • Identify the problem to be addressed. OF THE WORLD.” a series of actions people can take over the course of a week. • Research the problem: Why is this a problem? What –Kerry Kennedy solutions have been tried? (Some of this will have been 1 SEMESTER: If you have a term to take action, build a covered in the lesson.) program that integrates your classroom learning with a comprehensive, multilayered project. Consider designing a • What change is required? human rights-based service learning project. • Define action steps and specific target audiences. Who can make the change happen? To learn more about the music and video contests, visit www.speaktruthvideo.com and speakupsingout.org • How can the group involve other supporters? • How will the impact of the group’s efforts be measured? 4 5 ANDREA JAMES BRYAN STEVENSON

“I DIDN’T THINK THERE WAS MUCH “EACH OF US IS MORE THAN THE ANYBODY COULD TELL ME ABOUT WORST THING WE’VE EVER DONE.” HOW BROKEN AND IN NEED OF –Bryan Stevenson FIXING THE SYSTEM IS UNTIL I WALKED INTO THAT PRISON AS AN INCARCERATED WOMAN.” –Andrea James

Andrea James is the founder and executive director of Bryan Stevenson is the founder and executive director of Families for Justice as Healing, the founder of the National the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Montgomery, Alabama. Under his leadership, EJI has won major Women and Girls, a 2015 Soros Justice Fellow, and the legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, author of Upper Bunkies Unite: And Other Thoughts On exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse the Politics of Mass Incarceration. of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children Ms. James worked within the criminal justice system prosecuted as adults. for more than 25 years, as a youth worker and later as Mr. Stevenson has argued multiple cases before the United a criminal defense attorney. In 2009 she was sentenced States Supreme Court, winning a 2019 ruling protecting condemned to serve 24 months in federal prison. After a lifetime of prisoners who suffer from dementia as well as a landmark 2012 work seeking justice on behalf of disenfranchised people, ruling that banned mandatory sentences of life imprisonment she was stunned at what she encountered upon entering without parole for all children 17 or younger. Mr. Stevenson and the federal prison system as an incarcerated person. his staff have won reversals, relief, or release from prison for over Ms. James uses her experience to raise awareness of 135 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row and won relief for the effects of incarceration on women, children, and hundreds of others wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced. communities, and to shift from a criminal legal system to Mr. Stevenson has initiated major new anti-poverty and anti- a system focused on justice. discrimination efforts that challenge inequality in the United States. He led the creation of two highly acclaimed cultural sites that opened in Montgomery in 2018: the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. These national landmark institutions chronicle the legacy of slavery, lynching, and racial segregation, and the connection to mass incarceration and contemporary issues of racial bias. Mr. Stevenson is the author of Just Mercy, a bestselling biographical book about the people he represents and the importance of confronting injustice that was made into a movie in 2019. Mr. Stevenson is also a professor of law at the New York University School of Law.

6 7 CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ANTICIPATORY SET THE NEW JIM CROW • In small groups, ask students to consider the quote and respond LESSON GRADE LEVELS 9–12 UNDERSTANDING THE NEW JIM CROW “More African Americans are under the control of the criminal to the following questions:

justice system today—in prison or jail, on probation or parole— { What are the defining characteristics of Jim Crow laws?

than were enslaved in 1850. Discrimination in housing, education, { Who benefited under the Jim Crow laws? HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES employment, and voting rights, which many Americans thought { Who suffered under the Jim Crow laws? Justice, fair treatment, discrimination STUDENT SKILLS was wiped out by the civil rights laws of the 1960s, is now { How were the laws ultimately overturned? • Critical analysis perfectly legal against anyone labeled a ‘felon.’ And since many { What are the defining characteristics of the new Jim Crow UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS • Compare and contrast more people of color than whites are made felons by the entire laws? • Article 1: Everyone is born free and equal in dignity • Statistical analysis system of mass incarceration, racial discrimination remains as { Who benefits under the new Jim Crow laws? and with rights. powerful as it was under slavery or under the post-slavery era of { Who suffers under the new Jim Crow laws? • Article 3: Right to life, liberty, and personal security. VOCABULARY Jim Crow segregation.” • Have each group report out and write findings on the flip chart. • Article 6: Right to recognition as a person before the law. • Jim Crow –From The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of • As a class, ask students to highlight the similarities and • Article 9: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, • Mass incarceration Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander differences between the focus and impact of Jim Crow and the detention, or exile. • Racial justice • Economic justice new Jim Crow. GUIDING QUESTIONS • Criminal justice system • What is the new Jim Crow? • Racial caste STUDENT ACTIVITIES • How have drug, criminal justice, and economic policies contributed to institutional racism? CONCEPTS • How do Andrea James and Bryan Stevenson address • Justice ACTIVITY 1 { How did their personal experiences continue into their discriminatory policies and practices through their work? • Civil rights Policy analysis: Students will analyze criminal justice law and current work? • Economic rights economic policies in two states. { What aspects of the new Jim Crow do they focus on?

OBJECTIVES • Identity • Ask students to research state policies and laws on the topics { What are the primary challenges they face? By the end of the lesson, students will: • Power listed below, and report key findings: { How have they addressed the challenges?

• Know who Andrea James and Bryan Stevenson are and why • Decision-making { Bail { Based on your research, what aspects of Andrea James’

they are human rights defenders. { Sentencing: mandatory minimums and death penalty and Bryan Stevenson’s work do you find consistent and

• Understand the issue of the new Jim Crow. MATERIALS { Education spending for incarcerated people inconsistent with what you have learned?

• Understand the connection between policies and the • A copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights { Parole and early release • Did you discover new information on criminal justice issues?

communities they affect, specifically economic, drug, and { Housing for the formerly incarcerated TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED CULMINATING ACTIVITY criminal justice policies. { Voting rights for people with criminal convictions • Internet Access • • Have students read the Universal Declaration of Human • Examine the relationship between policy and institutional • As a class, discuss how students believe the above policies racism and the new Jim Crow. and laws do or do not contribute to the new Jim Crow. Rights and answer the following questions: { Does the new Jim Crow violate human rights as presented ACTIVITY 2 in the UDHR?

Statistical analysis: After learning about the above policies y If the answer is yes, identify five human rights violations.

and laws, students will collect and present data in both graph y If the answer is no, explain why. and narrative form. • Ask each student to write a letter to the editor of their local • Ask students to select one of the above topics and collect data paper or to their state representative highlighting state related to how different populations are affected by the policy policies and laws. The letters should address either how or law. these policies and laws violate an individual’s human rights • Students will present findings in both graphic and narrative form. and contribute to the new Jim Crow, and what needs to be • Within the narrative, students will draw conclusions about done to advance basic fundamental human rights for all, underlying patterns and trends. or how they advance human rights but require consistent enforcement, acknowledging the good work at the state ACTIVITY 3 level and thanking the public officials who strive to advance • Ask students to research the work of both Andrea James and human rights for all. Bryan Stevenson in pairs and answer the following questions: 8 9 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS FRAMEWORK BECOME A DEFENDER

EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE EQUAL JUSTICE USA Since the United Nations created the Universal Declaration of { Article 16: Right to recognition as a person before the law. eji.org ejusa.org Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, many other international documents { Article 10: Humane treatment of persons deprived of liberty. – Find out more about EJI and what it does, and access public ejusa.org/wp-content/uploads/EJUSA-DP-factsheet-race.pdf have been drafted to develop these rights further. These documents Article 14: Right to equality before courts and tribunals and educational materials to accompany the Just Mercy book and film. – This organization is dedicated to healing justice, violence include declarations and resolutions, as well as treaties—also to fair trial. reduction, trauma-informed policing, repealing the death called covenants or conventions. Countries commit to protecting • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE AS HEALING penalty, and racial equity. the rights recognized in these documents. Sometimes a specific Racial Discrimination (CERD) justiceashealing.org/resources institution is created within the UN to monitor countries’ compliance. { International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural – Check Families for Justice and Healing’s list of resources for THE MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES Rights (ICESCR) information about criminal justice reform. m4bl.org Here are examples of relevant international documents: • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – In this space, Black organizations across the country can • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) { Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR INCARCERATED AND debate and discuss current political conditions; develop { Article 2: Right to be free from discrimination. Against Women (CEDAW) FORMERLY INCARCERATED WOMEN AND GIRLS shared assessments of the political interventions needed to { Article 7: Prohibition of torture and of cruel, inhuman, or https://www.nationalcouncil.us achieve key policy, cultural, and political wins; and convene degrading treatment or punishment. For more information, visit the Office of the High commissioner for – Learn more about how this organization is creating the shift organizational leadership in order to debate and co-create a { Article 9: Right to liberty and security of person. Human Rights’ website: www.ohchr.org. from a criminal legal system to community-led human justice. shared movement-wide strategy.

UPPER BUNKIES UNITE LAW FOR BLACK LIVES bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/ /2013/09/10/ law4blacklives.org oitnb-upper-bunkies-unite-goes-inside-prison – This national community of radical lawyers and legal workers – Read a review of Andrea James’ book, Upper Bunkies Unite. is committed to transforming the law and building the power of organizing to defend, protect, and advance Black liberation NPR INTERVIEW WITH BRYAN STEVENSON across the globe. npr.org/2014/10/20/356964925/one-lawyers-fight-for-young- BECOME A DEFENDER blacks-and-just-mercy 8 TO ABOLITION – Bryan Stevenson talks with Fresh Air host Terry Gross about 8toabolition.com wrongful convictions and his book, Just Mercy. – This organization seeks to build toward a society without • Both Andrea James and Bryan Stevenson have classmates, and family members who may not be familiar police or prisons, where communities are equipped to provide founded nonprofit organizations dedicated to ending with new Jim Crow and encourage them to take action. TED TALKS for their own safety and well-being. mass incarceration in the United States. Andrea James • Write to your state representatives urging them to pass ted.com/speakers/bryan_stevenson founded Families for Justice as Healing and serves as the legislation that will reduce the incarcerated population – Bryan Stevenson discusses injustice, civil rights, and freedom. PROJECT NIA executive director of the National Council for Incarcerated and result in a fairer, more effective criminal legal system. project-nia.org and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Bryan • If your state has such a law in place already, send a THE SENTENCING PROJECT – To end the incarceration of children and young adults, Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative. With the thank-you note to your government officials and ask them sentencingproject.org this grassroots organization promotes restorative and help of your classmates, organize a fundraiser to donate how the law is being implemented. – This organization has been dedicated to creating a fair and transformative justice practices. to these organizations. { Remember, passage of a law is step one, and productive justice system for the past 30 years. { justiceashealing.org implementing the law is step two! ARE PRISONS OBSOLETE? { https://www.nationalcouncil.us • Research local organizations within your community that PRISON REFORM ORGANIZATIONS theanarchistlibrary.org/library/angela-y-davis-are-prisons- { https://eji.org serve the families of incarcerated people, and ask them centerforprisonreform.org/prison-reform-organizations obsolete • Research statistics associated with mass incarceration in the how you and your classmates can help. – The Center for Prison Reform maintains a list of organizations – In this book, Angela Davis argues that the time for prisons is United States. Create a pamphlet to educate your friends, that help fight unfair prison systems. approaching an end and that “decarceration” will transform society as a whole.

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