"Les droits de l'homme ne sont pas seulement violés par le terrorisme la répression ou l'assassinat mais aussi par des structures économiques injustes qui créent d'énormes inégalités."

Human rights are more than just about freedom from violence and oppression. They’re about fairness in how we all get to live our lives, too. This quote is peeling back the layers to show us that it's not just the big, dramatic events—like terrorism or political assassinations—that harm our fundamental rights. It’s also the seemingly mundane, systemic issues, like economic disparities, that chip away at our dignity and opportunities.

This idea is not new. Think back to the 20th century, particularly the post-World War II era, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. This document was born out of the horrors of war and genocide, but it also recognized that for people to live with dignity, they need more than just safety from violence. They need economic security, education, and the chance to participate equally in society.

Imagine a bustling city with glittering high-rises and luxury shops, but just a few blocks away, you find crumbling buildings and families struggling to put food on the table. A stark real-life example is the city of San Francisco. It's a tech hub, where companies like Google and Facebook thrive, creating immense wealth for some. Yet, there’s also a severe housing crisis. The sky-high cost of living has pushed many into homelessness or into working several jobs just to survive. It’s a clear picture of how economic structures can be just as oppressive as more direct forms of violence.

So, how do we take this wisdom and run with it in our own lives? Start small. Think about where you spend your money—support local businesses or those with fair labor practices rather than big corporations that might exploit their workers. Vote for policies and leaders who prioritize economic justice. Educate yourself and others about the ways economic inequality manifests in your community.

Here’s a story for you. Think about a friend of mine, let’s call her Carla. Carla grew up in a low-income neighborhood. She’s brilliant and hardworking, but the schools in her area were underfunded. While Carla’s family struggled to make ends meet, her counterpart in a wealthier district had access to the best resources and extracurriculars. Fast forward to adulthood—Carla has to juggle two jobs while attending community college, whereas her counterpart graduates from a prestigious university with no debt. The economic structure Carla grew up in was as much of a violation of her rights as any more obvious form of oppression.

When you’re sitting in a coffee shop, chatting with friends about the world, think about Carla and the people in San Francisco. Consider the small actions you can take that contribute to a fairer society. It’s not just about donating to charity, though that helps. It’s about understanding and advocating for systemic change that addresses these deeper, less visible violations of human rights. And remember, you have more power than you think. Your choices, from the products you buy to the votes you cast, all add up. Let’s use them wisely.