Douglass Dialogues: Are Human Rights Dead? Or, Were They Ever Alive?
Douglass Dialogues: Are Human Rights Dead? Or, Were They Ever Alive?
In his 1867 lecture “Composite Nation,” Frederick Douglass proclaimed, “There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation, but are eternal, universal and indestructible.” While it is endearing to subscribe to a universal understanding and respect for humanity, history tells us that human dignity has been a contested reality. Even the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has not been able to check state actors from committing countless atrocities to humankind. What then do we make of human rights as a concept, universal aspiration and political project? How do we reconcile human rights with humanitarianism? In the spirit of Frederick Douglass’ struggle to bring moral clarity to the sins and stains of the American project, we come together to find meaning in humanity in our own times.
During this Douglass Dialogue, faculty experts from the University of Maryland will be joined by Associate Professor Loretta Ross from Smith College to discuss the ambiguities of human rights in Africa, Latin America and the United States. Panelists will question and explore the universality of human rights, with respect to women and populations in the Global South, and their indestructibility.
Speakers:
- Loretta Ross, Women and Gender Studies, Smith College
- Karin Rosemblatt, History, UMD
- Ampson Hagan, Anthropology, UMD
Moderator:
- Erin Mosely, History, UMD
Requesting Disability Accommodations:
Please contact the Douglass Center at douglass-center@umd.edu at least one week prior to the event to request disability accommodations. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.