When I got to college, I was surprised to hear that many people didn't know what Amnesty International was. I had been involved with a small group (literally like three people) in high school, but I thought for sure people at a liberal arts school would know who they are and what they do. However, most of what I got when I asked people about it was somewhere along the lines of: "Oh yeah I've heard of it, but I don't know what it is". I would think that as a somewhat globally aware generation, we would be more interested in human rights. And we are, to an extent. If it's happening on our own turf, we are much more aware and much more willing to fight for what we believe in. That's hard to do when it's happening in another country. That's where Amnesty International steps in. Here are three reasons why you should be an active member of Amnesty.
1. They are hyper vigilant when it comes to human rights.
Amnesty is a global community of people who fight for similar causes. By joining Amnesty, you're joining people around the world who are fighting to try and live in a world where everyone enjoys human rights -- regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. Basically, you're joining humans from around the world who care about helping other humans (because if we don't stand up for our own rights, who will?).
2. Amnesty alerts you to news that you wouldn't otherwise hear about.
Just last week, I helped Austin College's chapter of Amnesty table outside of our cafeteria for an urgent action (petitions we send to other governments to tell them they are being watched), something we try to do once a month. The one we picked for September was for a 21-year-old Tibetan Monk who had been imprisoned for peacefully protesting for the rights of the Tibetan people in China. He isn't being given access to legal counsel or his family, and watchdog agencies in the area say he is at high risk for torture (learn more here: http://www.amnestyusa.org/get-involved/take-action-now/help-protect-tibetan-monk-from-tortureill-treatment-china-ua-20816). There were so many people who stopped by, wanting to help. Many people said that they had absolutely no idea it was happening, and grew even more shocked when we told them that there were many others just like him around the world.
3. The rewards are so much greater than one would think.
J.K. Rowling, who wrote the Harry Potter series, once worked in Amnesty International's research department and had this to say about Amnesty:
"Ordinary people, whose personal well-being and security are assured, join together in huge numbers to save people they do not know, and will never meet. My small participation in that process was one of the most humbling and inspiring experiences of my life."
Working with Amnesty has truly been one of the most humbling experiences of my life thus far. It forces you to open your eyes to see that we do not live in our own little bubble where nothing bad ever happens. We live in a world full of wonderfully flawed humans just like ourselves. If I can ban together with other people who believe in this world like I do and believe in a brighter future where everyone can enjoy human rights, I'm going to do it. Because I do believe. Amnesty International is just the first step.
