Human Rights in America-A Revolutionary Mindset

Sue E Young

Americans deserve more human rights: When we educate, legislate, and create new mindsets, we can inspire and empower our country and the world.

  1. 09/15/2025

    S3Ep1 Mental Health: An Interview With José Rosario

    Episode Title: S3E1: Mental Health: A Foundational Examination An Interview with José Rosario In this episode of "Human Rights in America: A Revolutionary Mindset," host Sue Young   returns from a brief hiatus to celebrate National Recovery Month and shine a spotlight on mental health. Sue is joined by special guest Jose Rosario, a PhD candidate, clinical psychologist, and founder of The Phoenix Empowered—a nonprofit amplifying the mental health stories of queer, disabled, BIPOC, and other marginalized voices. The conversation explores the deep connection between mental health and human rights, emphasizing that psychological well-being is a fundamental right. Jose shares insights from his research on trauma, healing, and the importance of community support, especially for those facing systemic discrimination and cultural trauma. The episode discusses the power of storytelling in advocacy, the difference between coping and true healing, and the role of ancestry and collective resilience in overcoming adversity. Listeners are encouraged to recognize their own mental health needs, support others, and take action—no matter how small—to foster equity and justice. The episode closes with a reminder that everyone has a story, a role to play in their community, and the right to self-determination and joy. Key themes: Mental health as a human right, intersectionality, trauma and healing, the power of community, storytelling for advocacy, collective resilience, and actionable steps for supporting human rights.

    46 min

  2. 05/06/2025

    Episode 31: Revisiting Healthcare in America

    **Host:** Sue Young **Key Points:** 1. **Introduction:** Sue Young introduces the podcast and revisits the issue of healthcare in America, initially discussed in Episode 4.    2. **Quote & Reflection:** A quote about change sets the tone for the episode. Reflection on previous summaries about Article 25 and its importance is highlighted. Article 25 stipulates everyone's right to adequate living standards, including healthcare. 3. **Global Healthcare Comparison:**     - Sue discusses healthcare systems in the top 10 countries: Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Israel, and Switzerland.    - She notes these countries' rankings and attributes their success to comprehensive, accessible, and equitable healthcare systems. 4. **America’s Healthcare System:**     - Acknowledges that the U.S. healthcare system lags, ranked last among high-income countries on equity, access to care, and outcomes.    - Critiques the U.S. system and calls for reform beyond the Affordable Healthcare Act.    - Emphasizes that healthcare should not depend on employment but be a fundamental right. 5. **Personal Anecdotes and Opinions:**    - Shares a friend's dilemma about choosing between healthcare costs and buying a car.    - Highlights that many Americans face similar tough choices, and current healthcare policies are insufficient.    - Advocates for subsidized healthcare, challenging misconceptions and fears about universal healthcare. 6. **Call to Action:**     - Encourages listeners to aspire for a better healthcare system based on the principle that healthcare is a human right.    - Emphasizes learning from other countries and the need for innovative solutions in the U.S.    - Urges listeners to think about long-term goals and reforms. 7. **Inspiration & Conclusion:**    - Mentions historical figures like Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mandela, who turned to human rights advocacy.    - Concludes with a motivational message from Proverbs on wisdom and protection, inspiring listeners to be revolutionary and human. **Closing:** “Until next time, be Revolutionary, Be Human.”

    10 min

  3. 04/21/2025

    Episode 30: On Responsibility

    The podcast episode titled "On Responsibility" features host Sue Young interviewing her friend Karen Fleming about the concept of responsibility. Key points from their discussion include Karen's personal experiences that shaped her understanding of responsibility, the importance of interdependence over strict independence, and how community involvement and shared actions uphold human rights. Sue and Karen reference Article 29 from the Declaration of Human Rights, discussing how rights come with responsibilities to respect others and the social order. They highlight the idea that rights are upheld through collective effort and community support. The conversation touches on volunteer work, particularly their experiences with the Soroptimist club, and the importance of acting thoughtfully and kindly without needing explicit authorization. Towards the end, Karen reflects on the need for personal accountability and the communal aspect of ensuring rights for all. The episode concludes with a reading of Charles Osgood's poem about responsibility, emphasizing the communal nature of responsibility and the consequences when action is deferred.

    18 min

  4. 04/08/2025

    Episode 29: Declining Democracies Prt 2 and Human Rights

    In this episode, Sue Young revisits the topics of declining democracies and human rights in America. She references her previous episode on declining democracies and discusses how recent changes in U.S. policies, especially regarding transgender travelers, have led to updated travel advisories from multiple European countries warning their citizens about increased scrutiny and potential detentions at U.S. borders. Sue touches on the broader implications of these policies on America's standing as a democracy, citing reports that show a decline in democratic practices worldwide. She connects this to broader issues of human rights, discussing the impact of democratic erosion on individual freedoms and protections. In highlighting various global and national reports, Sue emphasizes that countries with less democratic governments tend to have weaker human rights protections. She also shares the "Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz as a personal call to action for listeners to improve their own lives and contribute to the greater good. The episode concludes with Sue urging listeners to participate actively in democracy and ponder their legacy for future generations, quoting Thomas Jefferson on the importance of active participation in governance. **Key Points:** - Revisiting previous discussions on declining democracies. - Travel advisories from European countries about the U.S., especially concerning transgender travelers. - Broader impact of these policies on America's democratic standing. - Reports showing decline in global democracies and its effect on human rights. - Encouragement for listeners to follow the "Four Agreements" and be proactive in improving democracy.

    16 min

  5. 03/26/2025

    Episode 28: Department of Education and Human Rights

    The podcast episode welcomes new listeners and reaffirms its mission to provide insights on human rights to an American audience. The host emphasizes that while Americans champion human rights globally, they often overlook their domestic understanding and appreciation of the 30 human rights listed in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The episode format includes an inspirational quote, introduction and discussion of a topic, and a call to action. Today's topic is the Department of Education, discussing its history, purpose, and recent news about its potential dismantling by the federal government. The episode stresses education as a fundamental human right and encourages listeners to research the topic from various sources.

    14 min

  6. 03/11/2025

    Episode 27: Do You Remember That? A Review

    **Title: Episode 27: Do You Remember That? A Review**   **Summary:** In this episode of the podcast "Human Rights in America: A Revolutionary Mindset," host Sue Young introduces a memory game, challenging listeners with questions about the content discussed in the last two episodes. The review delves into key topics covered, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and its intersection with human rights, corporate retreats from DEI initiatives, and the impact of merit-based hiring practices on the workforce. Additionally, the episode revisits the implications of censorship in arts and human rights highlighted in prior discussions, referencing a podcast miniseries and various historical and contemporary instances of arts censorship in countries like Romania, Spain, and Portugal, as well as in the United States. Sue underscores the importance of art and culture as fundamental human rights and concludes with reflections on promoting human rights through a revolutionary mindset and an AI-generated poem celebrating the essence of art.

    21 min

  7. 02/24/2025

    Episode 26: Censorship in Art &Culture and Human Rights

    The episode discusses the intersection of censorship in the arts and its impact on human rights. Host Sue Young introduces the topic by emphasizing the importance of art and culture for personal identity, self-expression, and societal participation. The script addresses the fundamental right to engage with cultural life, as stated in international documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The podcast delves into examples of historical and contemporary censorship, including European dictatorships in Spain, Romania, and Portugal, highlighting how censorship stifled artistic expression and led to self-censorship among artists. It also describes the role of revolutionary art in toppling authoritarian regimes, such as the Portuguese dictatorship that was ended through a song. Shifting to censorship in the United States, the script provides numerous examples, including controversial cancellations of art exhibitions and performances, particularly focusing on a recent fictitious scenario where President Trump appoints himself chairman of the Kennedy Center, leading to cancellations of LGBTQ+ and other artistic events. The episode concludes with a discussion on the role and mission of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), advocating for the protection of free expression as a cornerstone of democracy. The host ends with a poetic reflection on the enduring significance of art and culture, reiterating their importance as a human right.  The episode wraps up with a call to the audience to remain revolutionary and human.

    14 min

  8. 02/11/2025

    Episode 25: DEI and Human Rights Prt 2

    In Episode 25 of "Human Rights in America: A Revolutionary Mindset," host Sue Young delves into the critical importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as fundamental human rights. She begins with an impactful quote by Andres Tapia and reiterates the significance of understanding and repeating the principles of DEI. Sue provides definitions for diversity, equity, and inclusion and stresses their roles in ensuring fair access to opportunities and fostering an inclusive culture.   Sue addresses the current status of DEI in major corporations, noting a troubling trend of defunding DEI initiatives by companies like Google, Walmart, and the FBI. She questions the reasons behind this withdrawal and provides statistical insights from a recent labor department survey on groups benefiting from DEI.   Highlighting the importance of DEI, Sue shares historical struggles, including the women's suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and ongoing LGBTQ+ rights battles. She underscores the necessity of understanding true equity in the workplace, advocating for DEI beyond tokenism, as discussed in Cass Cooper's article.   Sue reflects on Black History Month, emphasizing that Black history is American history and crucial to understanding human rights in the U.S. She concludes by encouraging listeners to embrace DEI initiatives in all aspects of life, quoting Robin Williams on the power of words and ideas to change the world.

    15 min
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Americans deserve more human rights: When we educate, legislate, and create new mindsets, we can inspire and empower our country and the world.

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