Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the crucial importance of protecting and upholding universal human rights within our immediate surroundings. It highlights that these rights do not simply exist on global scales or in grand gestures, but they truly begin and are embodied in small, often overlooked places like our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities. The quote emphasizes that unless individuals are granted equal justice, opportunity, and dignity without discrimination in these everyday contexts, human rights lack significance and progress on a larger scale will be fruitless. It highlights the need for people to act collectively and actively defend these rights at a local level to foster meaningful change on a global level.

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