Actress discusses the impact of her split from Brad Pitt on human rights, fleeing from Harvey Weinstein, and the valuable lessons she learned from young activists. Jolie reflects on the challenges of speaking out and the inspiring encounters with youth advocates.
Angelina Jolie is seen sitting at her desk with impeccable posture, exuding grace and beauty with her striking features – sleek black hair, sharp cheekbones, piercing blue eyes, and luscious red lips. She engages in a Zoom call with four young activists on a somber day as the Taliban advances towards Kabul, Afghanistan. In a Hollywood scenario, Jolie could easily be mistaken for a goddess guiding her disciples. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The actress is humbled by the activists’ dedication as they share their efforts in advocating for various crucial causes like the Syrian conflict, environmental issues, trans rights, and hunger. Jolie listens intently, expressing how their work has resonated with her children, advising them to avoid burnout, acknowledging the flaws of her generation, and expressing her profound gratitude for their inspiring work.
The following night, it’s just Jolie and me video chatting. In the background, I hear the joyful sounds of kids playing. Our conversation is often interrupted by the loud barks of her rottweiler Dusty, who seems to think he’s a lion. It’s been another disheartening day for human rights – the Taliban has taken over Kabul and overthrown the Afghanistan government. Jolie mentions that the only thing keeping her hopeful is the passionate young people we met recently. “They talk about these issues with such urgency and a strong sense of morality that surpasses any politician, diplomat, or NGO I’ve come across.”
She admits that she is constantly thinking about Muhammad Najem, a courageous 19-year-old who bravely spoke out about the Syrian regime’s attack on his home village, Eastern Ghouta, by standing on rooftops. Following his father’s death in an airstrike at a mosque four years ago, Muhammad and his brother would wait for the bombings to cease, filming the destruction from their rooftop and capturing the suffering of survivors. Eventually, the government turned their sights on Muhammad and his family, forcing them to flee to Turkey where he shared his story with us. What stood out about Muhammad was not just his bravery, but the warmth of his smile and his zest for life despite the horrors he witnessed. Jolie recently had another Zoom call with Muhammad and a young girl advocating against period poverty, noting Muhammad’s genuine connection to the girl and her activism. They both agreed that cloning Muhammad could be the key to achieving world peace. As Jolie put it, “He truly embodies the essence of an evolved man!” Dusty the cat seems to let out a roar of approval in response.
During a visit to the United States with my kids, I started thinking about human rights and children’s rights. Angelina Jolie has been a steadfast advocate for human rights for two decades, initially as a goodwill ambassador and later as a special envoy for the UN refugee agency. She has conducted numerous field missions, documenting the struggles of people displaced by conflict and persecution in various countries like Syria, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Afghanistan. At the age of 46, Jolie has co-authored a book called Know Your Rights with child rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren QC and Amnesty International. The book, named after the iconic song by The Clash that Jolie has tattooed on her back, serves as a comprehensive guide for young people. It explains the rights guaranteed to children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, endorsed by 196 countries, and provides practical advice on how to assert those rights. Know Your Rights addresses crucial topics in a friendly and relatable manner, covering aspects such as life, dignity, health, equality, non-discrimination, criminal justice, safety, freedom of expression, privacy, peaceful protest, recreation, education, and protection from harm and violence.
