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| Surveillance Camera Image: Perpetually Observing by Matthew Fisher from Matthew Fisher Photography. Purchasable on etsy. |
Welcome to Week 12 of Human Rights Reflections. Weekly, we examine an Article from the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Find out more about the series here. You'll observe that these articles are quite concise: that's intentional, since the series emphasises the contemplation you do, and your participation in conversations through comments below & twitter (hash tag #hrmlak).
This week we're examining Article 12 of the UDHR.
Article 12: No individual shall be exposed to unlawful interference with their privacy, family, residence or communications, nor to assaults on their character and standing. All persons possess the entitlement to legal safeguards against any such interference or assaults.
Study this provision carefully several times and allow it to settle. Whilst you contemplate, think about these questions:
· What's the initial image that entered your thoughts?
· What was your reaction to the material you encountered?
· Consider your self-perception relative to your peers.
· Think about your perspective of those around you.
· Consider your grasp of world affairs.
Jot down the piece and place it somewhere you'll spot it regularly throughout the week. That'll keep your reflection active! Or, note something that's caught your attention during this meditation.
Time to start the conversation! Let's discuss our perspectives on each piece, what we're discovering about ourselves and the steps we're taking to align ourselves better with the Declaration. Keep in mind you can chat in the comments section below, or join the discussion on twitter using this hashtag: #hrmlak
Let me begin:
- "Big Brother" springs to mind immediately. It's curious that despite valuing our own privacy, we're equally fascinated by peering into others' personal matters. Case in point: Reality television (one programme is actually named "Big Brother"!). Case in point: Celebrity gossip tabloids. Case in point: Online networks. How do we distinguish between genuine curiosity about others and crossing into nosiness?
- Perspective: picture experiencing everything you observe and perceive through a camera lens: you capture only a fraction of what's there, you register solely what the microphone detects. It hinges on where you direct your attention and what you choose to document. A recording device doesn't encompass the entirety of our true selves. We grasp this intuitively, having seen photos and recordings of ourselves and recognising them as merely fragments of who we genuinely are. Yet we overlook that we navigate the world carrying our own inbuilt lens, making choices about focus and deciding what matters with our lived experience (our preset), our understanding (focal range), our principles (sensitivity) and our brightness (shutter speed).
Kate xx
PS Cheers to Matthew Fisher for lending his image and being part of this project. Explore Matthew's collection at his etsy shop.
PS Cheers to Matthew Fisher for lending his image and being part of this project. Explore Matthew's collection at his etsy shop.
