Art and the Advancement of Human Rights

A DISCUSSION WITH DR. HAKI MADHUBUTI

MODERATED BY SHANI JAMILA

Art and the Advancement of Human Rights

Agenda

About the Human Rights ProjectWhy Human Rights and the Arts?Introducing Dr. Haki Madhubuti

Third World Press Author and Educator

A Conversation with Dr. Madhubuti on art and its impact on human and cultural rights

Questions and AnswersConclusion

Who We Are…

Shani Jamila, Artist and Director of the Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center

Urban Justice Center

The Urban Justice Center was founded in 1982.

The Human Rights Project is one of 11 projects at the Urban Justice Center, an anti-poverty organization that serves NYC's most vulnerable residents.

Human Rights Project

Founded in 1999.

The Human Rights Project (HRP) evolved from the desire to hold the government accountable to human rights standards.

HRP works at both the local and national levels to equip advocates with information and tools to promote domestic compliance with universally accepted human rights standards.

HRP Initiatives

Human Rights Report Card

Human Rights Institute

Involvement between Human Rights and the Arts Recently, HRP has begun to incorporate art as a

core pedagogical tool during our community forums and events, and we have begun to expand our cultural activism offerings.

Today’s Conversation

Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that we are all entitled to by virtue of being human. They are indivisible and interdependent.

There are five aspects of human rights: civil, political, cultural, social, and economic.

The U.S. has strong legislation in place protecting civil and political rights, there are not laws specifically protecting cultural, social, and economics rights.

Today we will be exploring…

The cultural aspect of human rights.

The importance of art in the advancement of human rights.

How to continue the conversation about human rights in the U.S. and keep that conversation current through artistic expression.

Introducing…A leading poet, publisher, editor, and educator, one of the architects of the Black Arts Movement, and a proponent of independent Black institutions. He is the founder of Third World Press, and recipient of numerous awards including the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships, and the American Book Award.

Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti

As an Author…

Dr. Madhubuti has published more than 31 books, some under his former name, Don L. Lee.

He is one of the world’s best-selling authors of poetry and non-fiction.

His book Black Men: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?: The African American Family in Transition has sold over 1 million copies since it was published in 1990.

As an Educator…

Dr. Madhubuti is the founder of the Institute of Positive Education/New Concept School (1969)

He is also the co-founder of Betty Shabazz International Charter School (1998), Barbara A. Sizemore Middle School (2005), and DuSable Leadership Academy (2005)

All four schools are located in Chicago

Third World Press

Founded in 1967

One of the oldest, independent publishers of Black thought and literature in the country

It is the mission of Third World Press to always honor Black writers and artists and to celebrate artists of all cultures.

Works Published by Third World Pres

An excerpt from Art by Dr. Haki Madhubuti

Art is elemental to intelligent intelligence, working democracy, freedom, equality and justice. Art, if used wisely and widely, early and often is an answer and a question.

Works by Dr. Haki Madhubuti

Studies on Dr. Madhubuti’s Literary Work

Dr. Madhubuti and Gwendolyn Brooks

Contemporaries

Clockwise from left, Sonia Sanchez and Dr. Madhubuti; Amiri Baraka and Dr. Madhubuti; and Eugene Redmond, Nikki Giovanni, and Dr. Madhubuti

Cultural Rights are Human Rights

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization…of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Article 22 of UDHR

The Right to Freedom of Artistic Expression

Art constitutes an important vehicle for each person, individually and in community with others, as well as groups of people, to develop and express their humanity, worldview and meanings assigned to their existence and development. People in all societies create, make use of, or relate to, artistic expressions and creations.

Report by Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

The Right to Freedom of Artistic Expression

The vitality of artistic creativity is necessary for the development of vibrant cultures and the functioning of democratic societies. Artistic expressions and creations are an integral part of cultural life, which entails contesting meanings and revisiting culturally inherited ideas and concepts.

Report by Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

Q&A

At this time we are happy to take any questions. Please press *1 on your phone to “raise your hand.”

Thank You

We appreciate your time and are glad that you joined us today. We look forward to continuing the conversation with you. To keep up to date on announcements and to receive our weekly newsletter, subscribe to the HRP listserv. Please email geigo@urbanjustice.org to do so.

Contact Info

Human Rights ProjectUrban Justice Center123 William Street, 16th FloorNew York, NY 10038www.hrpujc.org