The police shooting of Mike Brown and other incidents of racial profiling and police abuse have escalated fears and concerns for young people about their safety and security. The St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights hopes to provide an opportunity for students to express themselves on the issue.
The 18th annual human rights essay contest theme is “Are Police Department Policies and Procedure in Violation of Citizens’ Human Rights?” The essay contest deadline has been extended to November 15.
Every year the essay theme connects contemporary issues with articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 3 of the UDHR guarantees all the right to life, liberty and personal security. The goal is to take a global framework and apply it to a current issue so that students’ understanding of human rights is broadened in a practical way.
Cash prizes are awarded to the top three essay winners in the high school and middle school categories. In the middle school division, 1st Prize is $100, 2nd Prize is $50 and 3rd Prize is $25; high school division is $150 for 1st Prize, $100 for 2nd Prize and $50 for 3rd Prize. First prizewinners are required to read their winning essays at the Human Rights Celebration at the Missouri History Museum on December 10, 2014.
Essay entries must be no more than 500 words and preferably typed. The essay can be mailed to the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights, P. O. Box 5277, St. Louis, MO 63115 or email to stlc4hr@yahoo.com. Please include a cover page that gives full name, address, phone number, grade and school of student. For more information, visit www.positiveyouthdev.com.