Human Rights

Surprises are the best!

One of my best friends, Kim, lives in Hamilton, Ontario. On an adventure to Hamilton to do some house searching many, many moons ago, Kim and I were introduced and basically became instant best friends. She shared her life story, while I listened and played with our mutual friend Cory’s cat. It really was the beginning of an awesome friendship-- from that day I knew that when my wonderful husband and I finally moved to Hamilton, there was one person I could rely on for a hangout, an errand run, and other general fun.

Fast forward to the end of 2015 and Kim and I hadn’t seen each other in 11 months. We skyped and texted to remain in contact, but my move to Winnipeg left us thousands of miles apart. While the length of time between visits wasn’t supposed to be this long, surprise visit after re-scheduled surprise visit never ended up working out. Until Christmas…

Kim’s boyfriend bought her a surprise trip to Winnipeg for her holiday time off work. She found out on Christmas eve and arrived in Winterpeg on Christmas day! It was fun to hangout and do life together again—spending hours on the couch watching movies, colouring, drinking peach cosmo’s and obviously Taylor Swift in the form of music and concert (on apple music, haha) was involved. As much as we could jam pack our days lingering in the warmth of the apartment, I knew I would need to plan a few things to do together. One of the scheduled outings was to the Human Rights Museum.

Kim and I after our museum adventure.

Even after hearing mixed reviews about the museum, I knew Kim and I would both enjoy our time taking in all the information and exhibits the museum had to offer. We arrived on a chilly Sunday morning eager to use our expired student ID’s and learn more about human rights.

The museum was rich with information on a global history of how human rights have been denied to many people—from the holocaust, to the residential school system where aboriginal children were removed from their homes and placed elsewhere; from those with disabilities being looked at as a sub-human, to rights of freedom of speech, hate speech and other discriminatory issues. It was eye opening to learn so many unknown facets behind common events. While some historical atrocities are known to most people, it’s amazing how many have happened that we had no idea about—and how many are still happening that no one speaks of.

One display in particular which really resonated with me was on how our consumerism affects human rights around the world. The display was made up of solid white replicas of common items we use—canola oil, cell phones, makeup, etc. You would stand where one item was on display, touch the screen in front of you, and see the information which shows how we, as Canadians and as members of modern society, are negatively impacting those around us. From information about minerals being mined for our cell phones, to children picking cotton for our clothing, it was a display I hope people take to heart when they visit.

The ‘inspiring change’ area was obviously my favourite part of the museum. As you journey from the first floor up to the seventh, you learn about both the forward strides and pitfalls of human rights around the world. It's easy to be discouraged, but it's also be a great time to reflect on what we can do to make a difference.  Reflection is encouraged and a space is provided for you reflect, write and share your thoughts on a card to be displayed. Each card begins with a prompt which vary from “I Imagine…” to “I am inspired by…”, “I believe…”, “Reconciliation is…”, “Inclusion is…” and more.

As someone who is aware of some of the issues where human rights are denied in the areas of human trafficking, there were so many things I wanted to write on all of the various cards.

“I imagine a world where humans are treated as people with hearts and minds, and not as property to be bought and sold.”

“I believe a world with less greed will be a world where human rights problems are solved.”

“I am inspired by the stories of human trafficking survivors who teach us to never give up hope, to fight for what is right, and who encourage us that one person speaking up for the voiceless can make a real difference.”

While all these thoughts came to mind I was drawn to the “Respect is…” card.

Respect is something we give out like currency based on the actions of those around us. Say something I don’t agree with that is perhaps slanderous to another person? You loose some respect. Stand up for someone? You gain respect. Make a poor business decision? Respect is lost. Make financially sound decisions? You are respected...

This becomes tricky. Handing out respect like currency is like handing out joy, freedom, honesty, and even hate, jealousy and anger with price tags attached—each one providing you with value, each one making you either a better person or a worse person. What’s more, is we openly share our personal views of other people to reflect their ‘value’ in our eyes. ‘That person is weird’, ‘That person did xyz so I don’t respect them’, ‘This person is arrogant’. It’s a vicious cycle of negativity stemming from one person thinking their opinion of another is the most important, and their experience dictates what another person should or shouldn’t believe.

“Respect is… understanding acceptance doesn’t mean agreement. You can love + respect those with different ideals while holding onto your own.”

Our job isn’t to judge, it’s to love and listen and discuss and accept people regardless of what they do or what they think. You can disagree with someone’s choices in life or opinions on things without negatively dragging them down or saying they are wrong. To them, they are right.

While this doesn’t work in all extreme cases (murdering someone doesn’t gain a ‘you be you’ response), in the case of accepting and loving our neighbors, co-workers, bank tellers, waiters, sales associates, and ‘friends of a friend’, it makes a big difference.

Respect is required.  I can respect you and disagree with your choices. I can love you as a human being even if I don’t want to live a life like you do. The concept isn’t hard to understand—let’s make living it out that easy too!

Cupcakes for Change

Remember that time I gushed about how much I love cupcakes? I had baked up some cupcakes for the Live Different Academy graduation and I pretty much went on for a solid paragraph about the epic awesomeness that are cupcakes. I then went on to mention how you shouldn’t get me started on MINI cupcakes…

Well...Sorry… (kinda)

Mini Cupcakes?! Unreal! The cuteness factor meter is through the roof when it comes to mini cupcakes. It’s all the best parts of a cupcake, but smaller, which makes it better. Compact cuteness, diminutive deliciousness, petite and pretty; It’s everything good in one—without making you feel guilty because you just ate a cupcake (even if their teensy size means you just ate six of them).

A new establishment opened in Hamilton called 541. It’s an Eatery & Exchange and it’s absolutely lovely. I know I use the word lovely a lot but when we look at the definition of lovely, there is no better word to describe how splendid this place is.

Love·ly
  [luhv-lee]
1.charmingly or exquisitely beautiful: a lovely flower.  

2.having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as to the eye, as a person or a face.

3.delightful; highly pleasing: to have a lovely time. 

4.of a great moral or spiritual beauty: a lovely character.

In their own words, “We are an eatery; offering fresh, homemade meals and baked goods in the heart of Hamilton. We are a place of exchange; where ideas are shared and where people can engage with one another.”

If this concept of delicious meals and meaningful connections doesn’t convince you about how great of a place this is, let me tell you my favourite part...

541 has ‘buttons’. 

Allow me to explain. The area of Hamilton 541 chose to set up in was intentional. They went into a neighborhood that needed love and light, and set up with a purpose. While you are paying for your incredibly priced goods you are provided with the amazing opportunity to purchase a button from the 'Button Bank'. The purchased buttons then go into a separate 'Pay-It-Forward' jar where those who don’t have enough money can grab a button and use it towards the cost of their beverage or meal. 

This is phenomenal for a few reasons; the first being it’s such a tangible way to show love to those in your community that allows individuals to stay in their comfort zone. It’s a nice ‘introductory step’ to changing your community without getting really personal-- all you do is buy a button and put it into the jar. Second, it provides those who wouldn’t normally consider themselves welcome in a place so nice the warmest invitation to step inside and enjoy the hand-crafted café-standard beverages and belly-warming food, and gives them a sense of value  and respect. The value and respect which would come from being able to pay for a meal yourself, especially if it is something you are usually unable to do, is something I can’t even imagine. Too often we look at those who aren’t as well off as us through a lens that lacks the same respect we would give to someone who is doing better than us. Everyone deserves the same respect—especially when it comes to how we can serve and show care.

As an exchange, 541 recently hosted an art gallery evening. The public came out to an evening of delicious bite-sized eats, refreshments and viewing art created with a purpose. For this evening I contributed a last-minute batch of mini cupcakes. At the time my wonderful husband and I were living with another couple, and the lady of the unit is a talented photographer who took pictures of the evenings events. She snapped a few photos of the cupcakes in all their adorableness and I was happy to hear they were well received by those in attendance (I couldn’t attend as it was past my bedtime-- 2am wake up comes early!).

These cupcakes were from-scratch Funfetti, topped with decadent chocolate and vanilla swirl buttercream. I figured funfetti was the best option—first as we are celebrating such an extraordinary establishment, and second, why make people choose between chocolate and vanilla frosting? Give ‘em both!

I am so grateful for Meag’s willingness to take photos and her ability to capture their cuteness. I am grateful for 541 and how they are giving dignity and respect to those who need it most, and providing a tangible way for individuals to help their community. I am grateful for opportunities to use my skills to help others—even when that skill is baking cupcakes.

I encourage you to seek out the do-gooders of your community and help out in any way you can. Who knows, maybe your version of 541 is a few doors down just waiting for you to discover it, and I bet they could find use for your skills to make your community a better place.