The Cyrus Cylinder is the first charter of human rights in the world. Do you know why? It is because of the record of decrees found in cuneiform on the baked-clay cylinder in Babylon. As the army of Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, they freed all the slaves, established equality among all the races, and declared the freedom of religion. Undoubtedly, it formed the foundation to inspire more social rights activists to fight for human rights henceforward.
1. Martin Luther King Jr.
When there is a discussion 1about the 20th century’s social reforms, the name of Martin Luther King Jr will be always at the top. The person became the most popular advocate for social changes through non-violence.
- Martin Luther King’s oratory skills became the medium of expression, and the courage became the inspiration to draw the attention of the Government in 1955.
- They protested against the policy of blacks surrendering their seats to the whites in the bus.
- The great leader fought against racial discrimination and encouraged millions through the “I have a dream” speech. The Congress surprisingly enacted the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
2. Eleanor Roosevelt
The lady whose quotes still instill hope and faith in many was the First Lady of the USA and a continuous social reformer. Her demand from the beginning was equality. She wanted women to enjoy equal rights as men and the same for the depression-era workers and African-Americans. She spent her entire life fighting against racial discrimination and taught people to dream bigger. She is the person to encourages millions to explore themselves and try hard to achieve things. If your dream is big, you will also work harder to fulfill the dreams and surpass self-expectations.
3. Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was the Mexican-American labor leader, civil rights activist, and simple farmworkers. His sole aim was to improve the conditions of the farmers. Chavez has always witnessed the harsh conditions that the farmers endure right from his birth. The employers didn’t pay them well, and they had to live in shacks. Chavez raised a voice against such oppression and dedicated the entire life to win recognition for the basic rights of the farmers. The activist received the most prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.
4. Desmond Tutu
Among the human rights heroes of South Africa, the name of Desmond Tutu deserves special mention. Being a teacher professionally, the person became the first black Anglian Archbishop at Cape Town and Johannesburg. He became the voice of the voiceless and oppressed black South Africans. He was the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission during the time of Nelson Mandela. Still, the person is doing the job and encouraging millions just as the eleanor roosevelt marine quotes do.
5. MK Gandhi
Violence is not always the way to protest. Peaceful protests through non-violent movements can be the ultimate weapon to stand and fight against the rulers who forget the limitations of tyranny while ruling over India. The British colonial expansion became more like conquering India when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi took the nation and the British by storm with the Dandee March to make salt in the homeland. He has been an idol of every generation to prove violence cannot be the only way to protest.
6. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was the significant symbol of human rights and always cherished the idea of having a free and democratic society. He believed in the harmony of human beings, which is possible through equal opportunities to people from every class and caste. The just activist served the sentence of life imprisonment for protesting against the growing anti-apartheid movements. He became the first black President of South Africa in 1994.
7. Jimmy Carter
Being the 39th president of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter established The Carter Center in Atlanta to carry on social works to alleviate the suffering and pain of the public. The person received Nobel Prize for formulating peaceful strategies for solving international conflicts.
8. 14th Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso is the present 14th Dalai Lama, who is the Tibetan spiritual leader. He led the nonviolent movement for liberating Tibet and won the Nobel Peace Prize for the same in 1989. Even during times of extreme aggression.
These heroes will teach everyone how to protest against discrimination and believe in equality for a better society and future.
