Event Summary
This fall, the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy turned its spotlight from human-rights violations in far-off places such as Kosovo, to intolerance and human rights abuses in the American heartland.
At the home of Gregory Carr in Sun Valley Idaho, the Center convened a workshop in November to address human rights issues in Idaho and to come up with a plan for action.
The workshop, organized in partner-ship with the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC), was born of the recognition that immediate action is necessary to prevent Idaho''s national image of intolerance from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Idahoans worry that their state''s negative reputation repels businesses from relocating there and attracts bigoted individuals to their cities and towns.
The day-long workshop sought to assess human rights awareness, protections, and controversies in Idaho. Participants included members of the AIC and representatives from the Idaho media, business community, and human rights organizations.
The group reviewed the highly-visible problem of hate groups in the state as well as other human rights challenges that stem in part from changing state demographics and in part from tensions that have existed for more than a century.
Tough questions were asked, including: How well do Idahoans respect diversity?; Does the growing Hispanic population create tensions?; How are Native American concerns addressed?; What sorts of tensions does the Mormon population face?; Does the existence of hate groups hurt business and tourism?
The workshop participants were concerned that these problems decrease the quality of life for all Idahoans, but wondered how to frame a human rights campaign in Idaho using language that would appeal to a broad segment of the population.
The participants brainstormed about action plans to enhance human rights consciousness and protections and to increase respect for diversity in the state.
They also examined the positive steps already taken by the business community, law enforcement agencies, schools, churches, and civic groups and discussed strategies for a full-fledged human rights campaign.
Concluding the conference, Carr hosted a reception for Harry Wu, the Chinese-American human rights activist and former political prisoner who spoke about his work exposing the Laogai, the Chinese forced labor system. (www.ksg.harvard.edu/cchrp/)