Bardstown-Nelson Co. Human Rights Commission

01/17/2022

12/07/2021

12/01/2021

Congratulations to Martin Hils and Ty Johnson! Check out the Kentucky Standard, Wednesday, December 2.

11/26/2021

The Kentucky Standard will
be publishing the top
two essays in this category from our 2021 writing event. Our topic was Beyond 2020.
Finalists (left to right) Catherine Hils, Ty Johnson, Martin Hils, Henry Evans and Silas Dillard.

11/15/2021

When creating this piece I wasn't focusing on one issue more addressing people as whole. Everyone is human and we all have differences but we're still human. This is important to me because it feels like we as people get so caught up in ourselves that we forget about people as whole. We forget how interconnected we are as people. Being human is terrifying, overwhelming, and amazing. All of these feelings coincide and sometimes living outside of people seems easier than dealing with the issues that come along with being human. But we have these bonds that can be fragile, unbreakable, extremely messy, etc. You can't escape these bonds because even just being alive bonds you to others. So at the end of day we all united even if there are a lot of divisions with views. I represented these bonds with red string/spider webs because it symbolize these connections. Along with that I showed expressions of the people through their eyes and how they're feeling because people are going to feel many different things when thinking about their mortality and the role they play in the world. When I was actually creating this piece I used gouache paint to lay down the base shades of blue. Which I chose to make a monochromatic color scheme at first to set a tense mood while also showing a diverse skin tones with blue to represent people. Then I went in with watercolor pencils to add to different colors like green, purple, and other blues to the people to represent differences in people along with shading to make more interesting to look at. Finally I added the red spiderwebs/string to the piece with another watercolor pencil. Which I chose red so it stands out also red presents love, passion, anger, and blood which I felt added to the theme of the bonds that we have as humans
Isabel Harris
Bardstown High School

11/13/2021

Alexis Gribbins
Nelson County High School

As we all know, America has been flipped on its head in the past two
years. Between a worldwide pandemic political uproar, people are left
pretty broken and divided. America has seemed to be split by political
party on both of these issues, which both sides can be seen as more
than intense. I created this piece because no matter where we stand,
everyone has the pride and passion of an Eagle inside of them about
what they believe in.
The only way America can heal itself from these
dark days is to find away to put our differences aside, and ignite the
passion in all of us into to one unite of a country. Conservative or
Liberal, we all stride for the same goal of peace, love, and happiness,
and the only way out is through. So why not, go through together? I
believe we can heal ourselves, our country, and our world with the spirit
of the Eagle that lives in all of us.

11/12/2021

“Unity”, defined by Merriam Webster as, “the quality or state of being made one”. With 2021 soon coming to a close and political divide still in the air, it's important that we as a nation recognize the need for unity within our community. This isn't something we can do individually, we all have to come together and make a collective effort into bettering ourselves.
However, there are steps we can take to first inform and better ourselves before coming together as a group. Talking with the people around you who may have a different perspective on our current political climate is a big first step. While we may view our opposing side as “the enemy”, they can easily think the same about us. By talking with them It can give us more insight as to what they are thinking as well as help us come up with solutions to issues that plague our modern day. Despite what we may have been told to believe, nothing can be fixed with fighting one another.
Ultimately, nothing will change if we do nothing to change the issues within our society. We need to learn to stop viewing each other as “enemies” and instead see one another as “ friends”. With a new generation growing up in our midst, we need to better our world so that when they grow up and become adults they can be welcomed not in a society where hate and fear run rampant, but one where we are free of divide and hatred for each other. This is what I exemplified in my piece.
My piece depicts a woman in front of the American flag. On one side it is the woman in her soldier's uniform and on the other, she is in regular civilian clothing. This is meant to embody the feeling that despite her being an active member of the military, she is always a regular person like you or me. Which is exactly the mindset we need to embrace. We are not “civilians” or “soldiers” but instead we are all humans regardless of job title or belief.
Isabella Gomez
Nelson County High School

11/12/2021

My piece is meant to represent various issues that many people love to argue about. From abortion, to murder, to BLM, all of these issues are apparent in today's society. These issues aren't just problems in a large city, Bardstown is affected as much as any other place. Many of my friends are black, and many people in my school have had abortions, its all valid. My message that I am trying to convey is to just listen and hear what people are trying to say.
If people were to just stop and actually hear what others are saying, many may actually start to pay attention and recognize other's point of views. My piece is made up of paint markers on a black paper. I used different shapes to represent the different people and their arguments, its meant to look hectic and hard to read on the bottom. This chaos is meant to represent the loud arguing and overlap of people not listening. All we need to do is to hear others and try to understand what they're saying.

11/12/2021

My piece is meant to represent various issues that many people love to argue about. From abortion, to murder, to BLM, all of these issues are apparent in today's society. These issues aren't just problems in a large city, Bardstown is affected as much as any other place. Many of my friends are black, and many people in my school have had abortions, its all valid. My message that I am trying to convey is to just listen and hear what people are trying to say.
If people were to just stop and actually hear what others are saying, many may actually start to pay attention and recognize other's point of views. My piece is made up of paint markers on a black paper. I used different shapes to represent the different people and their arguments, its meant to look hectic and hard to read on the bottom. This chaos is meant to represent the loud arguing and overlap of people not listening. All we need to do is to hear others and try to understand what they're saying.

11/09/2021

My piece is meant to represent various issues that many people love to argue about. From abortion, to murder, to BLM, all of these issues are apparent in today's society. These issues aren't just problems in a large city, Bardstown is affected as much as any other place. Many of my friends are black, and many people in my school have had abortions, its all valid. My message that I am trying to convey is to just listen and hear what people are trying to say.
If people were to just stop and actually hear what others are saying, many may actually start to pay attention and recognize other's point of views. My piece is made up of paint markers on a black paper. I used different shapes to represent the different people and their arguments, its meant to look hectic and hard to read on the bottom. This chaos is meant to represent the loud arguing and overlap of people not listening. All we need to do is to hear others and try to understand what they're saying.

11/07/2021

We are happy to announce the following finalists in our 2021 writing challenge Beyond 2020. The HRC will be publishing both written copies and televised videos of winners reading their essays through local media outlets. Stay tuned for our big reveal!
Henry Evans, Catherine Hils, Ty Johnson, Martin Hils and Silas Dillard

10/16/2021

10/02/2021

The deadline for submissions to our 2021 writing competition, Beyond 2020, has been extended until Monday, October 11!

Bardstown-Nelson County Human Rights Commission Youth Writing Contest 2021

The Bardstown-Nelson County Human Rights Commission is sponsoring the annual writing contest for the youth of our community.
Students in grades from 6 to 12 may enter.

BEYOND 2020
In the aftermath of a divisive pandemic, a divisive election, a divisive political arena, racial divide, where do we go? When police and protesters are uniquely visible and and sometime violent, where do we go? BLM, ANTIFA, “systemic racism”, “Socialist/Facist/Communist take-overs”, Q-Anon and “critical race theory” have become the conversation. Flags, marches, and social media sound bytes are in our face. Where do we go to reconnect, to heal, to come together and find mutual respect?
In the world of 2021 everyone recognizes the need for unity. Everyone gives lip service to the idea of listening and having the important conversations.
In 500 words or less, write about this universally recognized need for the value of unity in America today and how every citizen can help make this happen. How do we recognize the difference between harmful and constructive actions on all our parts? What priorities would you set for making our country a more harmonious, productive and compassionate society?
What will bring us together? Where do we go…and how do we start?



Rules: 500 words or less-typed. Include name, age, school, grade, parent/guardian’s name, and contact information (address, e-mail and phone).
Submit as PDF attachments to email address below or PO Box 211, Bardstown, KY 40004

Prizes: Prizes will be awarded for both 6-8 and 9-12
1st prize -$100
2nd prize - $75
3rd prize -$50
Honorable mentions -$25

Finalists will be notified and asked to read and record their submissions. Publication, airing and distribution of these writings will be handled thru the Commission.
Nov 9, 2021 Bardstown Civic Center 6. pm
All entries must be received by October 11, 2021

Send to: Bardstown-Nelson County Human Rights Commission
P.O. Box 211
Bardstown, KY 40004
OR
[email protected]

09/05/2021

My Old Kentucky Home adds information about estate's slaves to park tour

https://www.wlky.com/article/my-old-kentucky-home-adds-information-about-estates-slaves-to-park-tour/22628588#

“We realized there was a need to improve upon the story of my old Kentucky home, and we thought one of the places we could focus on where the enslaved servant that lives here at one time,” My Old Kentucky Home director Matthew Bailey said.

08/28/2021

The Frazier Museum has done a lot in the last year under the theme: Bridging the Divide. Much is accessible online. Check it out!
This blog and photo exhibit is currently featured, but it is only the tip of the iceberg.