This past week marked the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord—the sparks that ignited the American Revolution and gave rise to a bold experiment in democracy, grounded in ideals of equality, unalienable rights, and government by the consent of the people.

For more than two centuries, we have worked to live into that promise—through sweeping movements for suffrage, labor, and civil rights, and through quieter, everyday acts of education, storytelling, and community-building. The American experiment in multiracial democracy has faced both progress and setbacks, yet it has long served as a beacon for those advancing human rights around the world.

One of the most powerful tools in this effort has been soft power—a blend of diplomacy, education, humanitarian aid, cultural exchange, disaster relief, health initiatives, and independent media. Though often invisible to many Americans, this approach has defined U.S. global leadership for decades.

A key piece of this legacy has been the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. These reports inform Congress, support asylum cases, guide business practices, and empower legal advocates around the world.

But last week, the State Department signaled a troubling shift. They will be restructuring the reports in ways that omit or minimize concerns. America is retreating from pressing foreign governments to protect the rights of women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and other historically excluded groups. Our government is downplaying the importance of the freedoms of speech, assembly, and protest—and overlooking issues like election interference and government corruption.

This official retreat from our founding ideals not only undermines global human rights—it also reflects a broader erosion of democratic values, both abroad and at home.

In moments like this, when national leadership pulls back, it is up to each of us to step forward. Guided by Eleanor Roosevelt’s conviction that human rights begin “in small places close to home,” we can all be a voice for dignity, belonging, and opportunity for all.

At the Wassmuth Center, we are here to walk alongside you in these efforts. Whether you’re seeking tools to build understanding in your neighborhood, foster empathy in your classroom, or advocate for equity in your workplace, we’re ready to support you. From our roots in the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, we’ve grown into a full human rights campus. Our new Philip E. Batt Education Building is a hub where people of all ages gather to learn, reflect, and co-create a more inclusive world. And with more than 90% of our programs offered free of charge, we ensure that transformative human rights education remains accessible to all—because this work belongs to all of us.

When you support the Wassmuth Center, you do more than make a donation—you take a stand. You help fill the gap left by absent leadership. You invest in education that informs, inspires, and ignites action. Together, we can ensure that human rights are not just ideals written on paper but a lived reality for all.