2011 Buh-Bye!

2011 Buh-Bye!

Wow, hard to believe another year is over and a new one is about to begin again! There was a lot that happened in the world this year, and it always feels refreshing to begin a new year with a clean slate. We at McKinney & Associates would like to thank you for following our Comm in the Storm blog with us all year, and hope you will continue to do so in 2012. We have a lot of exciting things coming up, a new website, a new look for the blog, and lots of PR Tips, and important stories to share. We'll be taking a brief hiatus from blogging until after the New Year, when we'll be returning on January 3rd. We leave you with this very funny 2011 year-in-review video from JibJab. We think they pretty much hit it all the major headlines in this video. What do you think? Is there anything they missed? Happy New Year everyone!

Helping Doesn't Have a Season

Helping Doesn't Have a Season

By: Shannon Mouton

From Thanksgiving to Christmas, the downtrodden, the less fortunate and the those generally in need find themselves the beneficiaries of kindness, care and generosity. They receive traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas meals; they receive gifts and their children receive toys. Many people give during the holiday season. This is when they make their annual donation, when they give or do extra and for some, it spurs them to giving for the first time.

This is wonderful! America is giving country and her citizens a giving people, with a spirit for helping those in need. America is blessed beyond measure and it is only right that those with more help those with less. Americans should be proud of themselves...for 31 out of 365 days, you take time to see what you daily ignore. Bravo! Yes, you are reading sarcasm.

What about the rest of the year, the other 334 days?

What will they eat?

Where will they sleep?

What will their children play with?

This is not an indictment of what Americans don't do, rather it is a clarion call to keep it up throughout the year. Let this season be the beginning of a life of giving, sharing and caring for your neighbors, not just a one time event.



Trade Tip: To Be New, You Have to Do New

Trade Tip: To Be New, You Have to Do New

By Nicole Hayes

Albert Einstein said, "If you want different results, do not do the same thing." He makes good sense but why is this easier said than done? Humans are creatures of habit and often times "new" or "change" can mean "scary."

The fear may be real but shouldn't paralyze you from taking the first step. As we enter another new year, we may have hopes to lose weight, repair relationships, arrive to work on time, improve public speaking skills or begin a new business. All of this is possible with some tips to bring you closer to reaching your goals. Last December, friend and colleague Kareen Riviere, PhD, desired to begin a nonprofit to help protect girls and women in Haiti from violence but knew nothing about beginning an organization. She read books, learned the processes step-by-step, overcame her fears and launched The Empower Foundation this April. She shares these tips for setting and reaching your goals and identifying 'success:'

1- Write it down. Write your goal(s) in measurable, practical steps you can actually achieve. Trying to lose 20 lbs in two weeks is unrealistic. Be specific, not ambiguous. If you want to get up earlier for work, say "I will get up 30 minutes earlier" rather than "I'll get up earlier."

2- Tell others. Share your goals with friends, family or partners to keep you accountable.

3- Lighten up. Let go of emotions that make you feel bad about why you need to make the change (overweight, not so great speaker). Improve from where you are now. Right now is the perfect place to start. Refrain from saying, "I can't workout at the gym because I'm too overweight to exercise in front of people." Or, "I am a poor public speaker so I can't join Toastmasters because others may speak better than me".

4- Today counts. Speak about your goals in present tense. "I'm losing weight right now instead of "Someday I will be slender." You are working toward your goal everyday, achieving your goals in the moment. It's happening right now.

5- It's all good! Don't throw away your plan if you make an error, mistake. Get back on the bike and ride! Every day is new.

6- Every day is full of possibilities. What's your possibility for that day? What are you creating for today? Think about today and not the past.

7- Silence the hype. Don't let your mind talk you out of your goal. Your mind operates in survivor mode, working to keep you comfortable and pain-free as possible. It doesn't really like change. Your mind will perceive change as being "dangerous." Feel the fear, push through and do it anyway!

8- You are success. You create what is successful for yourself. You make your own ruler.

9- Tick, tock but don't stop. Realize the final outcome/product takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day.

10- Get ready for new in 2012!

Criminal Justice: Finally- A New Sheriff in Town

Associated Press

Finally- A New Sheriff in Town

By: Llenda Jackson-Leslie

Civil rights supporters heard welcome news on a couple of fronts last week. First Attorney General Eric Holder made it clear in a speech at the LBJ Center at the University of Texas that the Department of Justice was prepared, able and ready to enforce the Voting Rights Act, and to seek legal sanctions against states refusing to comply. Welcome news for voting rights supporters busy tallying up the new restrictive voting measures passed in 25 states.

Then in an even more satisfying move, DOJ civil rights chief Tom Perez released a devastating report detailing how Maricopa Sheriff Joe Arpaio, also known as America’s meanest sheriff, had engaged in racial profiling and other civil rights abuses against Latinos. Rinku Sen wrote a brilliant piece in Colorlines titled “Because the Arc is Bending Toward Justice.” You can check out her analysis here.

Poor Joe really had a bad week, after the report was released, the Department of Homeland Security run by none other than former Arizona governor Janet Napolitano announced that it was ending an agreement with the Maricopa department that allowed deputies to enforce immigration laws and use the Secure Communities programs which uses fingerprints collected in local jails.  DHS sanctions Arpaio.

The Supreme Court will review Arizona’s restrictive immigration law, SB 1070 in 2012. Arizona voters spoke last month when they recalled the bill’s author, Senate President Russell Pearce. He is the first state senate president to ever be recalled. More about Arizona law here. Meanwhile Pearce’s followers in Alabama are scrambling to undo the damage their state’s copycat anti-immigrant law has caused the state’s bottom line and reputation. Apparently several traffic cops have been enforcing the strict laws against the wrong immigrants. When executives with Honda and Mercedes were stopped for not having proof of citizenship—Chamber of Commerce types thought they had gone just too far. Despite the fact that the Chamber backed most of the miscreants behind the bill. The Republican attorney general is suggesting several fixes as is the Republican governor who signed the bill. The arrests of the two auto execs prompted Missouri to run an ad encouraging foreign investment saying, “We’re the show me state—not the show me your papers state.”

Mayor Sheldon Day in Thomasville Alabama is worried about recruiting industries. According to Day, "Up until a few months ago, nobody raised the immigration issue," he said. But in the last few months, it's been brought up regularly. Day suspects competing states are portraying Alabama as hostile to foreigners even though he says that is not the truth. Based on the questions he gets from industrial prospects, he also believes competing states are recounting stories from Alabama's civil rights past. "It's bringing back old images from 40 or 50 year ago," he said.

The governor says he's declined many national TV interviews about the law because he doesn't want to fuel comparisons with what he sees as Alabama's long gone past. "It's going to take us a long time to outlive those stereotypes that are out there among people that Alabama is living in the '50s and '60s," Bentley said.  You can read more here.

VIDEO: Black Barbies Get 'Natural' Makeovers For Holidays

Black Barbies Get 'Natural' Makeovers For Holidays

By: Ryan Duncan

It's the holiday season and that spells s-t-r-e-s-s for so many Americans trying to complete their holiday shopping lists. The true meaning of the season, "Peace, love, and good will towards all men" is usually passed over as an after thought, while over-consumption and the race to buy this year's hottest toys take precident. So it is truly refreshing to hear this wonderful story via CNN.com about a Black Barbie Drive. People bring in their barbies and transform them into natural hair barbies, free of alterations and chemicals. Their message:

"I just want them to know it's ok to be who you are. And if you don't accept who you are, no one else will." Helping little girls realize their worth. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving!

Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

President Barack Obama praises troops and announces end of Iraq War (Davis Turner/Getty Images)

Is the Iraqi War Really Over?

By: Pam Taylor

 

I truly understand Pyrrhic victory, and I get that war is complicated—even, and perhaps especially, for the ‘victors.’  Fascinated by mythical conquests such as the Trojan War, for example, it is the very real and modern wars including Viet Nam, Afghanistan and Iraq that leave me with the sense that “war is not the answer.”

I certainly join President Obama and all those who salute the brave men and women who go to war for their countries, their beliefs, and for sure—freedom and justice.  But in the case of Iraq and to quote the President are we really leaving behind a “sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.” 

In fact, if this war was about ensuring that Iraqis are fed, clothed, healthy, and secure, hundreds of thousands are still in serious jeopardy. If this war was about bringing democracy to the Iraqi people, we haven't even begun that project. If it was about removing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, we never found any. If it was about reducing the threat of terrorism, we arguably have made things worse. If it was about stabilizing the region, well—you get my drift. 

Clearly there were strategic interests in toppling Hussein, but I'm not convinced that those interests outweighed the costs to this nation. Nearly 4,500 Americans died in the Iraq war; countless more are injured and maimed. And the cost in dollars—estimates range from hundreds of billions to at least a trillion dollars. 

Yes, I do understand the meaning of Pyrrhic victory.

Trade Tip: Stay Relevant

Trade Tip: Stay Relevant

By Nicole Hayes

A shoe is a shoe, and a car is a car, right? Why so many brands of shoes and cars? Doesn’t each product fulfill a fundamental purpose at the end of the day? Yes, but if Adidas, Nicole Miller, Nike and Reebok thought this way, we may only have one choice for shoes. Same with Ford for automobiles…but BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota and others added their flavor to the mix. So what makes you relevant in a sea of fish? What makes you stand out among the crowd and keeps people coming back to you?

There is only one you, and fortunately, this is your advantage and greatest asset. Here are a few tips for staying relevant with your public:

1)   Be true to your brand.  It’s important to remember why people were/are drawn to you in the first place.  You, your organization has specific beliefs, offerings, qualities, talents and voice that have separated you from the pack. Stay true to your company voice and personality. Don’t change this in an attempt to join the pack. Honor your differences. Your brand is also your story, which is bigger than the product you sell.

2)   Relationships: Stay regular with your people.  The people who know and like you, your organization don’t need further convincing of your great work. However, in our attempts to grow and reach new people, we may neglect those loyal to us. Similar to not calling grandma but twice a year, it’s important to thank your fans/customers for their support and express interest in their needs. If you have a blog, maintain it with fresh content. Same with your Facebook, Twitter and other networks. Remaining relevant greatly hinges upon relationships.

3)   Keep your ears to the ground.  Listen to what is being said about you (positive or negative) via social media channels, or other to better gauge your organization’s current standing. Also know what is happening with similar organizations/people in your industry.

4)   Ask questions. If there are areas needing improvement within your organization, find out what your public (internal and external) would suggest. New ideas can breathe life and give access into spaces you desire to enter. Though your brand is in part what brought you to this point, it’s good to analyze areas for growth. However, don’t stray from your core competencies.

5)   Value down time.  After you’ve received feedback from your team on areas for possible improvement, take time to plan how those changes will emerge. Preferably, think about these ideas when you have real time to unplug and aren’t juggling replies to 50,000 emails, voice mails and meetings.

6)   Avoid “surprises.” Most everyone likes a good surprise. We don’t like those surprises that reverse our progress, and possibly take time away from remaining relevant. Such “surprises” could be communication/company crises, unharmonious clients and employees who operate incongruent to your brand.  The fable of the scorpion and the frog is often true to how some of us approach people (clients, employees, corporate partners), not seeing them truly as they are (even after they’ve shown us). Recognize people in full earnestness to determine if they complement your brand. If you do this, there really are no surprises and you assume responsibility for the partnership, aware of their potential tendencies.

7)   Extend a hand. Being #1 and staying relevant doesn’t mean trampling others in your industry. Show collaboration on efforts where possible while remaining true to your brand. Don’t shy away from helping or lifting up others by thinking “if I help them, there won’t be enough (resources, supporters, etc.) for me.” Don’t think in scarcity, think in abundance and that more than enough people will continue to follow you.

We’ve given you our recommendations for remaining relevant in a world where being #1 is often dog-eat-dog. How do you stay relevant?

Criminal Justice: A Tale of Two Prosecutors

A Tale of Two Prosecutors

By: Llenda Jackson-Leslie

Two recent events showcase the difference a prosecutor can make. The first is the decision to reduce the death sentence against Mumia Abu-Jamal to life imprisonment, and the second is the exoneration of Thomas Haynesworth after serving twenty-seven years for rapes he did not commit.

In both cases, Abu- Jamal and Haynesworth had family, friends and advocates who fought to prove their innocence, and legal teams who donated their services. Mumia has become an international cause célèbre, known for his radio broadcasts from prison, stinging political commentary and media interviews. Both men struggled for years to be heard and in both cases, a prosecutor played a critical role in the final outcome. In Mumia’s case the prosecutor chose not to seek the death penalty again. For those of us who believe in Mumia’s innocence—this is a bittersweet ending but a victory nonetheless.

In Haynesworth’s case, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli known for his tough-on-crime stance, decided that Haynesworth’s case deserved a second look, two state prosecutors agreed and supported exoneration. Cuccinelli became so convinced of Haynesworth’s innocence that he gave him a job after his March parole. Read about Haynesworth’s exoneration here.

Troy Davis was not so fortunate.  In that case Larry Chisholm the current district attorney refused to even consider withdrawing the death warrant, despite the flimsy evidence and flawed prosecution meticulously documented by Troy’s legal team. The former prosecutor Spencer Lawton refuses to acknowledge even now that the case was flawed and Troy was put to death on September 21, 2011. Apparently for some prosecutors, preserving the façade of infallibility matters more than a man’s life.

VIDEO: Watch Hillary Clinton's Speech Declaring 'Gay Rights Are Human Rights'

Watch Hillary Clinton's Speech Declaring

'Gay Rights Are Human Rights'

As you know, McKinney & Associates had dedicated their blogging last week to focussing on the upcoming United Nations' (UN) Human Rights Day. This event was officially observed on December 10, to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the United States hasn't always had a spotless record on the subject of Human Rights, it was quite encouraging to listen to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton's speech in front of the United Nations in which she declard that it is a "violation of human rights" to commit violence or discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. This was a bold step for U.S. foreign policy as the speech was delivered in front of ambassadors from many countries in which discrimination and/or violence against homosexuals is allowed or even encouraged. Here is a very discouraging map of Africa which highlights penalties targeting gays and lesbians for each country. In her speech, Clinton tackled many of the common stereotypes leveled at gay people and called on other nations to eliminate laws that criminalize or marginalize homosexuals. 

Tribute to a PR Icon

Tribute to a PR Icon

By GwenMcKinney

  

My post on Ofield Dukes on November 10th was an enduring tribute to an iconic force who made a difference in so many people’s lives.  I celebrate that those words were not posthumously delivered. 

Today,  I join many friends and colleagues in mourning the passing of Ofield who made his transition after a period of illness.  I repost my message knowing that Ofield has left an indelible impact!  For that, let us miss him but celebrate that he was here.

Human Rights: We Still Have A Ways To Go

We Still Have A Ways To Go

By: Shannon Mouton

At the birth of a nation, over 235 years ago, Thomas Jefferson penned these famous words in response to the tyranny of British Empire.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

The General Congress of the United State of America signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

After the Second World War, 172 years later, the Commission on Human Rights presented international bill of human rights to the UN for approval.

Preamble: Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world…

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…

Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

The United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.

As a country founded on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and had a leading role in the “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights” of all people, are we practicing what we preach?

To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit: http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

Human Rights Trade Tips: Good Campaigns Make Us Move

Human Rights Trade Tips:

Good Campaigns Make Us Move

By Nicole Hayes

 

Photos that grip us with compassion, disbelief and horror.  Powerful words and statistics that punch our guts if we weren’t already awake and cognizant of the realities. Victims’ stories too real to fake—digesting the truth would be easier if their stories were fake. Each of these elements among others is commonly folded into successful media campaigns to garner public participation or support for a particular cause. Whether the support requested is monetary, spreading the word and creating awareness or a call to action, an effective and strategic media campaign can convict consciences, stir emotions and open wallets. Media, if done right, can make us move from apathy and indifference to compassion and, “I need to do something.”

 

For more than 20 years, McKinney & Associates has been bound by the value conveying meaningful communications to advance human rights and social justice. McKinney’s early projects included work with the anti-apartheid movement and promotion of the new South African government under Nelson Mandela. The firm also managed the communications campaign for the promotion of the first conference by the people of color on environmental justice and a campaign supporting a coalition of civil rights organizations’ push for renewal of the federal Civil Rights Act.

                    

In addition to McKinney & Associates, I’ll present you with a few more human rights campaigns whose messages and missions I support:

1-   Be a STAR (Show Tolerance and Respect).  An anti-bullying initiative I’m currently associated with, created by concerned celebrities and organization leaders.

2-   It Gets Better.  The campaign uses creative videos, social media outreach and other tools to inform those being bullied that people care and “yes, it does get better.” 

3-   Girl Effect. Through a very creative use of imagery and messaging, Girl Effect works to encourage education and health opportunities for girls worldwide to escape poverty to raise the standard of living for her and her family. Human trafficking and early pregnancies of young girls and living in war-ravaged countries are challenges to this dream.

Girl Effect's creative use of images and words can be seen in “The Clock is Ticking” video:

With today’s advances in media and technology we are no longer worlds apart, but connected by the click of the mouse. Media has forced us to acknowledge that your issue is my issue. My issue is yours.

Human Rights: We Have A Right To Work Without Sexual Harassment

We Have A Right To Work Without Sexual Harassment

By: Joyce Taylor
Swath Leadership, LLCProviders of Cutting Edge Management Consulting & Training Services
(703) 590-7003

Since the inception of the regulations on the prevention and elimination of sexual harassment (29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1614.11), I’ve trained thousands of managers and employees on the prevention and elimination of this behavior. During this time, I’ve also heard numerous jokes, rebuttals, and justifications for this inexcusable and unlawful behavior. Those who have not been impacted – women as well as men – make comments of unbelief, denial, and even jealously that such incidents would even occur. Many of us, me included, would like to believe that with the education and awareness that has occurred since the early 80’s there would be greater sensitivity and intolerance to sexual harassment occurring in the workplace and our society.

Enter the allegations against Herman Cain and here we go again. In recent weeks I have heard such unenlighten comments as, the Europeans are laughing at our prudish attitudes; who cares; you know there were out to get him! Conversations on Facebook have confirmed that there are still people who believe, “If you compliment a woman on her dress, you will get hauled into the HR or EEO office”. So lest we forget here is a brief primer on the regulations that were added to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that sexual harassment is:

• Unwelcome sexual advances,
• Requests for sexual favors
• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when,
• Submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment,
• Unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

·     The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.

·     The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker or a non-employee.

·     The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

·     Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.

·     The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

And for the record, sexual harassment can impact employees and applicants.

So, is Herman Cain guilty of sexual harassment? Without review of the facts, which remain under legal confidentiality agreements, it is impossible to tell. For many of us in this field, the reactions and payoffs by the National Restaurant Association, his employer at this time, is the most disturbing part of this story. Did they cover for a senior executive in violation of their legal responsibility to maintain a harassment free environment? Did they intend to send the message they are open to unsubstantiated payoffs, which amount to character assignation and blackmail? Either way, the decision of the employer to provide such payoffs opens another entirely different and compelling debate on organizational responsibly under Title VII, which is a debate that will continue with the legal scholars.

What is important is to remember that although this regulation has been in place almost 30 years, the behavior still continues. We are not talking about people who willfully enter into relationships, but research shows them as being disenfranchised, who are in nontraditional career fields or environments that are insensitive to their category, who tend not to be in positions of “value,” are financially dependent on their jobs for survival and who lack the necessary support or networks to be heard. It is important, even critical, we understand the nature of this illegal and inappropriate behavior and that we each do more to educate ourselves on this matter.

Whether it is an employee, friend or a family member reciting what they experience or observe at work, we should be open to these stories, listen without judgment and help people who feel they are victims understand their rights and options. The history of these complaints shows the alleged victim does not want a payoff, they just want the behavior they are experiencing to stop and go away. Given the number of complaints still filed yearly with the EEOC, maybe reviewing the issue is not a bad thing. Maybe, hopefully, we can shed more light on behavior that should not be a part of the workplace or our lives.

To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

Video: A Quick Minute with Gwen on Human Rights

Video: A Quick Minute with Gwen on Human Rights

Gwen McKinney, President & Founder of McKinney & Associates Public Relations in Washington, DC introduces our week long tribute to Human Rights. For the next ten days through December 10, International Human Rights Day, our Comm in the Storm blog will be all about human rights. To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

Human Rights Matters

Human Rights Matters

By: Llenda Jackson-Leslie

For the next ten days through December 10, International Human Rights Day, our Comm in the Storm blog will be all about human rights. To learn more about International Human Rights Day click here. For too many Americans, human rights is a discussion that happens once a year at the UN or when the State Department releases its annual report about other people in other countries.  But as our president, Gwen McKinney says- human rights is no foreign affair.

We’re going to spend the next ten days talking about human rights, because human rights are fundamental, all inclusive and universal. Human rights can’t be stratified by county, ethnicity, gender, race, sexuality, ability, religion or class according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They are the basic and fundamental rights to which we are all entitled simply by virtue of our humanity. The one quality we all share. 

American exceptionalism leads some to believe that human rights are a foreign affair. A yardstick by which we can judge others, without ever checking our own reflection in the mirror.  But the real measure of human rights is the extent to which we treat the most vulnerable, marginalized and powerless members of our communities.

Sometimes the international headlines depicting ethnic and regional violence, and fraudulent elections, starvation and the corruption of megalomaniac leaders can lull Americans into believing that we are in a position to offer the world a lesson on human rights. Don’t be fooled.

Ask yourself --how do we treat our homeless, our prisoners and the formerly incarcerated, the poor and unemployed. How do we treat those who suffer from mental illness or physical disability? Why do race and ethnicity and gender and zip code affect the length and quality of our lives?

McKinney & Associates is proud to work with a coalition of civil rights, labor and community groups  led by the NAACP who will march from the Koch Brothers corporate headquarters in New York City to the UN Plaza on December 10^th International Human Rights Day in determined defense of our most preservative right—the right to vote. You can learn more about the rally here .The Koch Brothers, have provided much of the financing to undermine that right by financing restrictive voting measures in 14 states, the Brennan Center for Justice estimates that as many as five million voters may be prevented from registering or casting ballots in 2012. And those five million will most likely be disproportionately older, poor, African American and Latino.

Not by accident, the unprecedented turnout in 2008 was a watershed moment, the largest number of young, African-American and Latino voters cast ballots in the history of our nation. Exercising our right to vote is still the most basic and fundamental way we can expand the human rights of all Americans. 

McKPR Celebrates Human Rights

McKPR Celebrates Human Rights

McKPR is proud to launch a new blog series in honor of the upcoming Human Rights Day. We'll be posting daily blogs related to human rights issues from around the world.

"2011 has been an extraordinary year for human rights, UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay says in her message to mark Human Rights Day."

Human Rights Day is marked annually on 10 December, it commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948.

 

Stay tuned for many more posts related to this important issue.