Powerful, Hopeful Words: Unity, Equality & Diversity

As the world grows ever more connected and interdependent, these 3 words (and whether or not we fully understand and embrace them) will determine what kind of world we leave to the next generation… and ultimately whether or not our species survives on Earth.

UNITY is the opposite of division, which is created when we buy into the corrosive illusion of being separate from each other. Division generates “us versus them” thinking which is also an illusion. Remember when you hear “it’s us against them” that it’s a lie, meant to manipulate us. The fundamental truth of Unity is that there are no “them,” there are just more of “us.”

EQUALITY is at our fingertips. Like fingers on a hand, each is unique and can act independently. But they are not separate; fingers are fundamentally a part of each other and are literally designed by Our Creator to function together. So are humans; we are designed to work collectively. Humans cannot succeed – much less survive – alone. We all need each other; and every one of us deserves equal rights, dignity and respect.

DIVERSITY is not only mind-boggling in its infinite variety, but it’s everywhere, and in every life form. Just look around you and marvel at nature’s Diversity; for it is essential from the evolutionary/genetic level up to every facet of our lives. Without Diversity, we’d all be identical clones incapable of evolving. So stand up for those who are different; because in someone’s eyes, YOU are the different one. Many of us (especially in Key West) rejoice in being unique!

Armed with these 3 powerful words, real progress is possible… like Amy Culver accomplished by changing the world view of the Datoga tribe (in the Sahara Desert) from believing they were separate from everyone to knowing they are a part of humanity and only geographically isolated… or like the 11-year-old in Richmond who told me after giving stickers to her classmates (some who were racist – and explaining unity to each of them individually) that I didn’t need to worry about fixing racism because she was going to fix that… or the Lesbian Activists in Scotland promoting gender equality… or Underground Churches in Pakistan working for religious tolerance… these 3 simple, powerful words are what One Human Family is all about. And it’s what YOU help promote every time you tell anyone about Key West’s official philosophy.

The global success of One Human Family can be credited to everyone who has given a friend a sticker or wristband and had a conversation that enlightened… because that is where progress happens. And that positive interaction is yours to create; just take free stickers and wristbands and pass along our island’s message of hope to your friends and neighbors.

We must collectively stand up to division and inequality everywhere we see them being advocated. The stakes have gotten too high for silence or inaction to be an option anymore. Have your daily actions show that we are all a part of each other… and try to do at least one thing a day that brings people together. Then YOU become an essential link in the worldwide chain of all our brothers and sisters who live with Unity, Equality and Diversity in our hearts… and in our lives.

— JT Thompson, One Human Family Founder @ Equality Florida’s Gala 4/25/17