Pittsburgh to Become a Human Rights City
Councilman
510 City County Bldg.
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Dear Councilman Shields,
My name is Maya Rosen, and I am an eleventh grade student at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School. I am involved in a group called Racial Justice through Human Rights that is sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee. We are a diverse group of high school students from across the city, and we are committed to equality, justice, and human rights.
Our group has discussed some of the issues that are currently facing Pittsburgh. Education, the achievement gap, police behavior in the community, violence, transportation, jobs, and fair housing are all issues of paramount importance to us as young people, as leaders, and as involved and passionate citizens. We believe that these issues, and many others as well, can be solved within the context of human rights.
I am writing to propose making Pittsburgh a Human Rights City. A Human Rights City is one whose residents and local authorities participate in ongoing discussions and creative exchange of ideas in order to more fully understand human rights. When these ideas are incorporated as a way of life, they assist in identifying the issues and informing the actions in our local government, for meaningful, positive economic and social change. Pittsburgh would become the fifth Human Rights City in the United States, joining other Human Rights Cities around the world where inhabitants have undertaken ongoing learning with the understanding that human rights is central in bringing forth a viable vision and mission for the 21st Century.
We care deeply about Pittsburgh and want to eradicate any form of injustice that we see here at home. I believe that declaring Pittsburgh a Human Rights City would have an immensely positive effect on our communities. If the decisions of our city are made within a framework of human rights, and we continue to engage with and learn about human rights ideology, I am confident that Pittsburgh will become a safer, happier, and more just community.
I am enclosing a copy of the resolution that Washington DC passed to become a Human Rights City, so you can see a model of what we are discussing.
Please contact me with any questions.
We would be excited to work with you to make this idea a reality.
Sincerely,
Maya Rosen
