About Me

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Alpha Diallo is a graduate from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and a human rights lawyer based in Chicago. He travels around the world to advocate human rights values because he believes that respect for human rights can make the World a better place. He pictures the World as a village and countries as neighbors, and they should coexist in peace, since there is only one race, the human race, and one religion, love. When he does not travel, he sits Under the Human Rights Tree (UTHRT) to write and share human rights stories with the World so he can open a new gate of legal knowledge to a new audience.

Monday, January 1, 2024

UTHRT; HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!

 Dear Friends, 

Happy New Year 2024!

A year is gone; another year is here. 2023 has been a great year. I learned a great deal, traveled, and grew.

In the city where I lived for years, I witnessed city leaders closing schools due to financial constraints. This decision left children roaming the streets with nothing to do. Additionally, they opened the doors of prisons wide, seemingly prioritizing profit over the well-being of the community. 

Also, I witnessed the closure of publicly funded hospitals and mental institutions. Further, these same leaders not only defunded but also shut down homeless shelters for their constituents and veterans. Consequently, many individuals found themselves in shantytowns beneath the bridges of our cities.

 However, this year, they proudly called our city a sanctuary city, welcoming people from around the world. Astonishingly, they managed to find the money to offer kickbacks to their donors on lucrative contract to renovate schools they previously closed, rent hotels owned by those very donors and provide free schools and healthcare- services they had denied to their own families and children. 

Therefore, I have learned not trust a father who goes around taking care of the families of the world, only to neglect his own. As the French saying goes “La charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même,”, which translates to “Charity begins at home.”

Moreover, this year, the Supreme Court justices chose not to emulate their children’s student debts, despite the pandemic. They reached the conclusion that the “Too big to fail” doctrine does not apply to them. Once, again, I have come to understand that blaming them is futile, as no one will fight for your rights for you. Instead wasting time on victimhood, focus on forging a direct path. Strive to attain a position of power that enables you to shape society according to your values, including the fundamental right to education.  

Finally, this year, I learned that life is akin to laws, and laws must mirror the reality of their time and society. Each law has its principles and exceptions. While our desire is to live in accordance with the principle of our laws, it remains a wish. At times, addressing real problems requires a sincere consideration of utilizing the exceptions within our laws. 

This year, my travels let me in various cities across the country. I dedicated a significant portion of my time to aimless strolls through each city and its parks, engaging with both people and nature. Also, I revisited Guinea to reconnect with my family, immersing myself in the daily lives of the Guinean people. As I observed them in the streets, markets, offices and other places. I discovered why many of them do not succumb to depression. 

My findings led me to believe that they may not have the luxury to let their minds wander aimlessly. Instead, they rise up each day, driven by the imperative to make living or die.

Furthermore, I found Guinea under a military regime, where leader who had promised  to organize free, fair and democratic election following his coup d’état, went to the United Nations Assembly. In a surprising turn, he spoke out against democratic values, criticizing Western countries for imposing them on us. Perhaps, he forgot that democratic values are universal. The current narrative in Guinea can be aptly titled “Let’s wait and See” as the Guinean people are compelled to watch the unfolding events.

In 2023, I experienced personal growth through my continued journey to seek the truths and beauties of our world, sharing them Under the Human Rights Tree. Throughout this process, the UTHRT Organization, a non-profit, remains active and I urge you to consider visiting www.uthrt.org and making a donation to support my ongoing work. 

As a new year unfolds, countless voices resonate, each deserving to be heard. I believe in the importance of listening, and I invite you to subscribe and join me Under the Human Rights Tree YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@alpha-uthrt. Also, I will be embarking on travels, keeping my eyes open to observe and document, and you can follow my blog journey at www.underthehumanrightstree.org 

The year 2023 has passed, and I trust it brought valuable lessons. As we step in 2024 with its unique blend of joyous moments and challenges, I encourage you to embrace gratitude for the happy times and face challenges with courage, devoid of bitterness. Once more, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones in 2024!

 

Best Regards

Alpha