Today, I worked on the history project again, but this time I looked up things online at UNL. I did some research and discovered more pictures for the project. I do not know if I will have enough to make a decent video, but I do hope that my work will not be in vain.
Also today, I talked with Angie, and she gave me the contact information to a local civil rights activist of Lincoln. His name is Ed Zimmer, and he knows a great deal about the civil rights movement in Lincoln during the fifties and beyond. I look forward to working with him in the near future.
My work on the project had to stop early today because I had to edit and submit my senior thesis to my advisors for final viewing. The paper is titled Water as a Legal Human Right: implications for fresh water conflict. I have a spent many hours on this paper, and I had to make sure the final requirements were met before I submitted the final product to Dr. White and Dr. Cahan. Both of them were extremely helpful and supportive. I do not believe I could have put together a final paper without their support.
After the paper is completely finished, I will attach it to the blog, since it is human rights relevant.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
March 10th: Return to the Society
Well, I went back to the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) and talked with the lead archivist about taking pictures for free. I do not have a budget to work on this history project, and I am sure the City Lincoln doesn't have a lot of money to spend. If the City Council reprimands the fire department for using colored ink on their annual report, then I can safely assume I should not expect funding for pictures with the LCHR history project.
Anyways, I went to look for more pictures on the history of civil rights in Lincoln. Yet again, I was disappointed to find a smaller/irrelevant selection of pictures of Lincoln's civil rights history. I looked through hundreds of photos, but I was not satisfied with what I found.
I decided that I might have more luck by looking online or somewhere else. Also, I will try to talk with actual civil rights activists in Lincoln.
Anyways, I went to look for more pictures on the history of civil rights in Lincoln. Yet again, I was disappointed to find a smaller/irrelevant selection of pictures of Lincoln's civil rights history. I looked through hundreds of photos, but I was not satisfied with what I found.
I decided that I might have more luck by looking online or somewhere else. Also, I will try to talk with actual civil rights activists in Lincoln.
March 3rd: History Research at the Nebraska State Historical Society
Today is history day! (at the Nebraska State Historical Society)
I did a few things today, which was not very exciting. I went to the Society and looked over hundreds of pictures . There were pictures of various American tribes throughout the years, early pioneers, places in Lincoln and other stuff.
I spent my entire time recording which pictures I liked and talked with a staff member about what I was doing with the pictures. I learned about the fees for taking pictures and other important rules.
All in all, it was not an exciting day because I walked away feeling like I was not very productive at all.
I will return NSHS!
I did a few things today, which was not very exciting. I went to the Society and looked over hundreds of pictures . There were pictures of various American tribes throughout the years, early pioneers, places in Lincoln and other stuff.
I spent my entire time recording which pictures I liked and talked with a staff member about what I was doing with the pictures. I learned about the fees for taking pictures and other important rules.
All in all, it was not an exciting day because I walked away feeling like I was not very productive at all.
I will return NSHS!
February 24th: IVAN trip
This Thursday I was unable to work at the LCHR because I went on a state-wide service trip to thirteen different communities with the Innocents Volunteers Across Nebraska (IVAN). The Innocents Society is the Chancellor's Senior Honorary at UNL (13 seniors who are chosen from their junior year), and the Society places a strong emphasis on service.
Even though I am not at the LCHR today, I am happy to be serving across the state doing various projects like cleaning emergency vehicles, reading with kids, doing construction work on an old opera house, and various other tasks. To check out more about what we did, go to unl.edu/innocent
Even though I am not at the LCHR today, I am happy to be serving across the state doing various projects like cleaning emergency vehicles, reading with kids, doing construction work on an old opera house, and various other tasks. To check out more about what we did, go to unl.edu/innocent
February 17th: Human Rights Training Day!
Today was Human Rights Commission Training Day and other fun stuff.
I had to come to the office early so we could set up for a meeting/presentation for the new LCHR commissioner. Every new commissioner has to go through an extensive informational training session to receive all relevant information and tools necessary for the job.
When I arrived, I worked with Angie (my supervisor) and Margie (my second supervisor) to find a conference room. It is important to know that the LCHR is located in a very small space in the brick building on K and 9th street, and because of this small space the LCHR has to borrow a conference room from other offices in the building. However, the original conference room did not have outlets for the projector and was the size of a large walk in closet. So, Angie and I looked at other locations (all were taken), and we finally had to settle on an office in the back of the LCHR. The reason for explaining all of this situation is to demonstrate the current situation for the LCHR. Within the recent past, the City of Lincoln has considered to cut funding everywhere, and the LCHR has usually received the short end of the stick for funding. It was not until the last two years that the LCHR was moved from the mayor's sector to the judicial sector. This move has proved to be positive because the LCHR will now have a new location in a remodeled section within the city building. Hopefully, this will give the LCHR more space and visibility to the people who need help with discrimination problems.
After we organized the back office, I went to work on my list of possible ideas for a history project about the evolution of civil rights within the Lincoln area. Not long after I had my list ready, I went to the office meeting about the history project. Everyone in the office discussed what they wanted to do. We talked about slideshows, lengthy documentaries, and the possibility of a short commercial-length video. All in all, we agreed to culminate American Indian, Pioneer, Early-Twentieth Century Immigration, Women's Rights, 1960s Civil Rights, African American, and Modern Immigration/Refugee history into a short video. We hope to show this video on the local television station and future civil rights conferences.
After this meeting, Angie invited me to go to training meeting with the new commissioner. I was able to participate in the meeting with the commissioner and a high school volunteer and listen to Angie and Margie talk about the function of the LCHR. They shared information about what they do, the recent history of the LCHR, and what a commissioner should expect to see when dealing with cases. Going through this meeting, I was able to come away with a greater perspective and understanding of how the LCHR serves the citizens of Lincoln. I learned how discrimination laws changed over the years and continue to change. Overall, I came away with an even greater appreciation for the ongoing fight for equality in Lincoln. Also, I am excited to work on a history project that will show others how Lincoln is continuing to change for the better.
I had to come to the office early so we could set up for a meeting/presentation for the new LCHR commissioner. Every new commissioner has to go through an extensive informational training session to receive all relevant information and tools necessary for the job.
When I arrived, I worked with Angie (my supervisor) and Margie (my second supervisor) to find a conference room. It is important to know that the LCHR is located in a very small space in the brick building on K and 9th street, and because of this small space the LCHR has to borrow a conference room from other offices in the building. However, the original conference room did not have outlets for the projector and was the size of a large walk in closet. So, Angie and I looked at other locations (all were taken), and we finally had to settle on an office in the back of the LCHR. The reason for explaining all of this situation is to demonstrate the current situation for the LCHR. Within the recent past, the City of Lincoln has considered to cut funding everywhere, and the LCHR has usually received the short end of the stick for funding. It was not until the last two years that the LCHR was moved from the mayor's sector to the judicial sector. This move has proved to be positive because the LCHR will now have a new location in a remodeled section within the city building. Hopefully, this will give the LCHR more space and visibility to the people who need help with discrimination problems.
After we organized the back office, I went to work on my list of possible ideas for a history project about the evolution of civil rights within the Lincoln area. Not long after I had my list ready, I went to the office meeting about the history project. Everyone in the office discussed what they wanted to do. We talked about slideshows, lengthy documentaries, and the possibility of a short commercial-length video. All in all, we agreed to culminate American Indian, Pioneer, Early-Twentieth Century Immigration, Women's Rights, 1960s Civil Rights, African American, and Modern Immigration/Refugee history into a short video. We hope to show this video on the local television station and future civil rights conferences.
After this meeting, Angie invited me to go to training meeting with the new commissioner. I was able to participate in the meeting with the commissioner and a high school volunteer and listen to Angie and Margie talk about the function of the LCHR. They shared information about what they do, the recent history of the LCHR, and what a commissioner should expect to see when dealing with cases. Going through this meeting, I was able to come away with a greater perspective and understanding of how the LCHR serves the citizens of Lincoln. I learned how discrimination laws changed over the years and continue to change. Overall, I came away with an even greater appreciation for the ongoing fight for equality in Lincoln. Also, I am excited to work on a history project that will show others how Lincoln is continuing to change for the better.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Third Day at the LCHR
Another day and week has gone by, and I did more work for the LCHR. However, I was not at the LCHR this particular Thursday because I had to fly out for a graduate school interview at the University Kentucky for a spot within the Patterson Schoool of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
While on the plane, I look over information about the history of the LCHR and civil/human rights within the city of Lincoln. Though I did not have internet, I was able to read over the mission and goals of the LCHR:
While on the plane, I look over information about the history of the LCHR and civil/human rights within the city of Lincoln. Though I did not have internet, I was able to read over the mission and goals of the LCHR:
Mission
- The administration of the Human Rights Division supports the enforcement of all provisions of Title 11 of the Lincoln Municipal Code. To receive, settle, conciliate, investigate, issue findings, hold public hearings on complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, familial status, age, ancestry, marital status, and retaliation. To perform functions and activities with community groups, businesses, schools, and governmental entities for the purpose of promoting understanding between races, cultures, and sexes, and to work to eliminate inequalities and sources of inter-racial friction.
- Review all City of Lincoln procurement bids and awards in excess of $10,000.
- Review DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) program of minority and women-owned businesses and maintain directory.
Goals
To eliminate and prevent all forms of illegal discrimination, to assure and foster equal opportunity for all citizens of the City, and to act in all matters within its jurisdiction.Significant Accomplishments
- The City of Lincoln Commission on Human Rights continues to upgrade its complaint processing in order to protect an individual's state and federal rights.
- A complete review and implementation of changes in the Contract Compliance Program for the purpose of streamlining and effectuating its mandate.
- Obtained a Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) grant contract for all Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaints.
Projected Changes
- Expand educational outreach into our elementary schools.
- Solidify the development of a Friends of the Commission, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which will support educational outreach in the community
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
First day of Work at the LCHR
This is my first journal entry about my internship with the Human Rights Commission of Lincoln (Lincoln Commission on Human Rights - LCHR). I initiated the internship when I knew that I was going to take this course for my Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs minor. Though this is technically is my second day at the office, I truly started doing work today.
Before I write about my experience and the things I learned today, I would like to write a little bit of information about the Commission and what the people do for people in Lincoln. LCHR is charged with the mission of investigating complaints of discrimination, striving to prevent all forms of illegal discrimination and to assure and foster equal opportunity for all citizens of the City. The LCHR also provides community education and assistance in order for people to know and understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. The jurisdiction of the Commission is only within Lincoln. I also learned that the LCHR hosts one of the largest Civil Rights conferences in the Midwest every year.
As for my duties, I am responsible for displaying the records of the LCHR in their annual report to the city, creating a historical timeline of civil rights in Lincoln for the LCHR’s city outreach on television, and interviewing individuals who come in with discrimination complaints.
The first couple weeks are dedicated to the annual report, and I think it is interesting to learn about the discrimination cases conducted by the LCHR. Here are the facts I have recorded for the 2010 year.
In 2010, 91 complaints were recorded. 34 were male, 56 were female, and 1 complaint was made by a family. As for ethnic and national origins represented, there are 17 Blacks, 7 Hispanics, 1 Iraqi, 2 Biracial, 2 Asians, 1 Cuban, 1 Croatian/Serb, 1 Honduran, 1 Guatamalan, 5 Mexicans, and 48 Whites. As for the number of complaint topics, there are 18 Age, 33 Race, 27 Retaliation, 22 Disability, 32 Sex, 4 Color, 2 Marital Status, 23 National Origin, 4 Religion, and 5 Familial Status related complaints made by 91 clients. On average, there are 5 to 7 complaints of discrimination recorded by the LCHR per month. Lastly, there are three areas the LCHR deals with for discrimination: employment, housing, and public accommodation.
After my first day at the office, I started to make a lot of connections between human/civil rights on a local city level with human rights on an international level. Though there are a number of complaints made by individuals, only a small fraction of those complaints are upheld by the Commissioners during their monthly hearing. This reminded me of how the European Court of Human Rights also upholds a small fraction of cases despite the number they address within an year.
I look forward to going back and learning more from my advisors about their thoughts on human rights as well as experience the work of real human/civil rights issues.
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