If you're like us, the past few months have been harrowingly heavy. There's been nothing but bad news day, after day, after day, after day... But as card-carrying optimists, we don't believe in throwing in the towel when things get hard.

Instead, we'd like to join you—our readers, customers, community, friends, and neighbors—to help us reject the status quo and choose a better world. We're not talking about a cotton-candy-and-unicorns kind of "better world." Instead, our vision is one that's slowly earned through hard work and a lot of love for people and the planet.

That's why we're focusing this post on human rights, the core prerequisite for thriving life on this planet. This blog post provides just some of the ways you can support human rights in your everyday life.

"Our earth finds it's truest beauty when equality and inherent worth is realized for all people, regardless of race, age, gender, nationality, or economic status."

Support Non-Profits

The first way you can support the human rights movement is to find reputable non-profits that are leading the change. Any amount helps! But, if for any reason you aren't in a position to donate, you can always offer your support by volunteering your time. Here are some of the non-profits Beauty by Earth is and is working on supporting:

• Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States. They are challenging racial and economic injustices in the nation.
• The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness are committed to mobilizing African American women to pursue and sustain wellness.
• Carter's House provides children and their families with low-cost school and professional, parental support programs.
• HairOnPurpose is an organization for hair, beauty and health education—supporting teenage girls in social issues they face in their formative years.
• Operation Underground Railroad movement is on a mission to put an end to modern-day slavery.

Use Your Voice

One of the easiest ways to support human rights is to sign petitions, like this. They only take a couple of minutes to sign, but your participation speaks volumes to change-makers. Want to take it a step further? Look up your local and state legislators and give them a call, send an email, or write in a letter. Don't be afraid to start the conversation with those around you. Whether or not you get them to take action, you've still put the issue at the front of their mind.

Educate Yourself

Change starts with you. Despite how informed you may think you are, there is always an opportunity to reassess your outlook. Materials can take the form of movies, books, dissertations, articles, and more. Though, it's important to prioritize resources from those heading the issue at hand.

This education extends to your kiddos as well. Teaching your kids early on about tolerance will set up their generation for success. Many educators and parents have created resources that make the topic more understandable for younger kids. For instance, Ibram X. Kendi recently published a wonderful book titled "Antiracist Baby." And Youth For Human Rights has published helpful and easy to understand Public Service Announcements that educate both children and adults on the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Support Your Community

Issues infringing upon human rights aren't only happening elsewhere, they also affect your community. Become a conscious consumer and lift up the businesses around you.

Beauty by Earth is calling/visiting local black-owned businesses such as The Cookie Crave Denton, Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles Grapevine, or Luxxy Brow & Skin Studio Dallas, and showing support by purchasing and promoting their services. There are simple to use apps and websites where you can find locally, black-owned businesses as well, such as Black Nation, Support Black Owned and EatOkra to name a few.

It's not difficult to start making a difference with all these ways you can support human rights. So, what are you waiting for? Bust that individualistic mentality. Be the change you want to see in the world.

"Our earth sustains all. Equality should be enjoyed by all."

Love and Waving from Afar,

Beauty by Earth