Human Diversity and Human Rights Disability Studies

Response posts are expected to be at least 200 words each

Required Textbooks:

Garcia-Irate, E., McConkey, R., & Gilligan, R. (2016). Disability and human rights: global perspectives. New York: Palgrave.

Obrien, R. (2001). Crippled Justice. The History of Modern Disability Policy in the Workplace. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

DISCUSSION WEEK 5 POST QUESTIONS WAS: Based on the readings we've done so far, what is your understanding of the difference between laws and rights? How, if at all, has your understanding changed since the start of the quarter. Why do we need laws if we have human rights? Why do we need human rights if we have laws? 

STUDENT’S POST #1

Natalie Reyes,

Based on the readings we have done so far, my understanding of the difference between laws and rights is that with laws it is a bit more limited on the variety of people it falls under and strict on who is protected by it, and if you do not follow these laws it could result in punishment. With rights, on the other hand, you are guaranteeing that everyone is going to be included and you are not limited on what you can do or speak on with the sense that you are not harming anyone.

I would say that my understanding has changed since the start of the quarter, I have always had this assumption that laws were made to protect a significant minority group and that if you fall under that minority group you would be included in all the benefits/protection that the law states, but what I have come to learn throughout the quarter, readings, and videos is that not everyone who falls in that minority group is included, for example, a person who does not have a physical impairment could be overseen with someone who does have a physical impairment, even though they both have an impairment/disability one is recognized more than the other. I also learned that although laws and rights have the same message, they do differ from one another.

I believe we need laws if we have human rights and human rights if we have laws because in a way both work together to balance each other out. For example, if you have a person who is fighting for their rights and knows their rights they will address to others, but the other people will not take them seriously and will choose to turn them away or reject them, but with laws you have a sense of power and protection that you will get heard by others, to achieve what you want. So, having both rights and laws help groups get where they want to be and without one it would be more difficult.

STUDENT’S POST #2

Kelsey Baylor,

Based on all the information provided this far, the difference between law and rights really comes down to the legal aspects of what is being looked at. Rights are ideals that a person is entitled to to create a fair and equal life. Rights are meant to keep individuals from being discriminated against in every aspect of their daily life from employment to the stores they shop at. Really, human rights are meant to improve the quality of one's life. On the other hand, laws are in a sense enforceable rights that can be met with punishment if broken or violated. It is met with much more scrutiny to break a law than violate a human right that is not protected by law. My understanding between the two has changed drastically since the beginning of the quarter. I was under the impression that all rights were laws, and any infringement of rights would result in punishment. Though many rights are protected by law, I feel as if there are so many ways to find loopholes where the law does not protect a right.

We need laws because with the society we live in, it is not enough just protect and care about other people, especially those that are considered strangers. People tend to have no regard for those who do not have an affect on their life. Enforcing laws is a way to essentially force people to be considerate of others. It really is sad to say, but most people will not just do the right thing out of the goodness of their heart, they need that risk of punishment hanging over their head. We need human rights because laws are just words on paper. Human rights are our humanity, our compassion, our care for ourselves and others. These rights are what make life worth living and give us the ability to live it to the fullest extent and also give that liberty to the person next to you no matter how different they are from yourself.