First Full Day of Work

I am sitting in the Palais Wilson, one of the United Nations buildings in Geneva Switzerland. I am listening to the testimony from activists and advocates around the United States testifying about the many ways that racial disparities affect our country. They are testifying before the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, made up of 18 diplomats from countries about the world. It is a very sobering and yet empowering experience.

I am particularly proud of the young people from CCA who are testifying here today. They are two of four youth on the entire panel. Malik is speaking about his experience in detention after he was arrested as a juvenile. Jaquia is speaking about her experience being suspended from mainstream school. They are both talking about the changes that should take place - the ending of Zero Tolerance policies that send so many young people out of mainstream school and into the “school-to-prison” pipeline, changing laws that allow children to be prosecuted in the adult court system. They are also speaking for positive changes that can be made - more funding for schools, and particularly urban public schools, more programs like CCA that help young people stay in school and stay out of the juvenile justice system.

While Malik and Jaquia testify, the two other young people from CCA, also on the trip, Stash and Janiese, are documenting the entire experience. They are providing support for Jaquia and Malik, and speaking with lawyers, organizers, other young people who are also here in Geneva. There are many people here talking about issues related to the criminal justice system including testimony from children of incarcerated parents. Other issues that are being addressed include housing, infant mortality, the privatization of hospitals, Native American rights, immigrants’ rights and Katrina.

There are more than 120 people from the United State here as part of the U.S. Human Rights Network. Because of the many activists in Geneva, the U.S. government delegation is larger than at any time in the past, demonstrating that the government is taking the testimony and reports from the US Human Rights Network seriously. There are 24 members of the U.S. Delegation coming, including for the first time, a person from the state level, the Illinois Division of Human Rights Fair Housing Manager. This government attention bodes well for the possibility to improve human rights at home.

We are in Geneva, Switzerland!

I'm just thankful for having the opportunity to be here--to spend one full week in Geneva.

Hello! We are finally here. Meeting a lot of new people and experiencing new things. We are getting prepared to testify this afternoon. More to come.

It was a very long flight. This is not like an everyday opportunity. When you get an opportunity like this you have to run with it. A wise man once told me "Always shoot for the moon. If you miss, a least you'll be among the stars."

More later. Okay....