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CONTEST RULES

LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS

ANNUAL ESSAY CONTEST

CONTEST GUIDELINES

1. All sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are eligible to participate by submitting one entry.

2. Essays may be from one to three pages in length

 3. Essay topic:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified by the United Nations in 1948. As far back as 1857 the Minnesota Constitution prohibited discrimination. Minnesota Legislators passed the Fair Employment Practices Act in 1955. Discrimination was outlawed nationally by the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Through the years these laws have been broadened and amended to give more protection. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights was established in 1967 and in 1968 local human rights commissions were established throughout the state.

Key Question: After all of this, why do you think discrimination still exists today?

Points to think about before writing:

1. What is illegal discrimination? Research some recent cases. See the Minnesota Department of Human Rights website www.humanrights.state.mn.us or newspapers, magazines or newscasts.
2. What cases of illegal discrimination do you know of personally?
3. If someone refuses to associate with someone of a different religion, race or ability, this is not illegal discrimination but usually a sign of prejudice or bigotry. How might this be related to illegal discrimination?

Be sure to define discrimination within your essay. According to the Minnesota Human Rights Act:

"Not every act that’s unfair or unreasonable is illegal. To be considered unlawful under the Human Rights Act, the discrimination must have happened because of one of the following reasons:

• Race
• Color
• Creed
• Religion
• National Origin
• Sex
• Marital Status
• Familial Status (housing only)
• Disability
• Public Assistance
• Age
• Sexual Orientation, and
• Local Human Rights Commission Activity (employment only)

5. Attach entry form to back of the essay.

6. All first place essays should be mailed to:

Marion Helland

7720 Winnetka Hts. Drive

      Golden Valley, MN 55427

      marionhelland@comcast.net

7. First Prize     $500

  Second Prize   $350

  Third Prize     $200

8. Entry Deadline: Last week in March.

9.  Plans for a recognition program will be announced.

10. For more details refer the contest guidelines below.         Essay Contest Guidelines.

Past Winners

2005
2006