The phrase "human rights" appears often in the news and in textbooks, but what exactly are human rights? Think about your own knowledge and ideas about human rights, and then list five rights that you think are human rights. Enter in your list in the provided table, and provide a one- to two-sentence explanation supporting each of your choices.

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death.  They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life.

They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted – for example if a person breaks the law, or in the interests of national security. These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence.  

How do human rights help you?

Human rights are relevant to all of us, not just those who face repression or mistreatment.

They protect you in many areas of your day-to-day life, including:

your right to have and express your own opinions

your right to an education  

your right to a private and family life

your right not to be mistreated or wrongly punished by the state

These values are defined and protected by law.

nigger, that word was originated for white folks   to keep black people under

and when black people use it, they know that's just how they greet each other

and when white folks use it, they know there's a double meaning under