By J.T. Thompson
Special to The Weekly
What started in 2000 as a way to unite Key West locals has gone global with over 4.5 million free stickers and countless wristbands being distributed worldwide. Key West and Monroe County both unanimously made “One Human Family” the island chain’s official motto 25 years ago this week.
It simply means all people are created equal members of one family. Like fingers on a hand or facets on a gem, we are all extensions of each other. “Us vs them” is a corrosive illusion of separateness, as “them” is just the rest of “us.” No matter the politics, religion, race or nationality, all people are our global family members.
It’s a very broad concept; some folks ask how to express it in our daily lives. An effortless win-win using the power of words can also make ours the friendliest islands in America.
When someone is pulling luggage toward a hotel, say “Welcome to the island.” Having traveled since before dawn, welcoming words instantly change their mood from tired and stressed to smiling and welcomed. Or, just wave and say “Welcome.” People are pleasantly surprised to see someone they don’t know welcoming them — and not asking for anything. Free and nearly effortless, these few words can have a big effect. Wave at a trolley and say “Welcome to the island.” Some will wave back, and you just made a few of their visits a bit nicer.
Like a snowball that gains momentum (remember snow?) our welcome will be mentioned to friends back home. We all know someone who says that seeing One Human Family was a positive factor in deciding to visit — or even move here.
As our message of unity, equality and diversity went global, the late Pope Francis used the phrase in letters from the Vatican’s Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Dalai Lama wrote about “One Human Family” in his book on the power of words.
If you doubt that power, imagine instead saying “Go away.” Those two words can instantly poison anyone’s day.
And, as seen in the included photo, young people grasp our motto quickly. Teachers have given One Human Family as a topic for essays or art, with students expressing their own understanding of human unity. Young people really get it.
So, if you’re feeling helpless watching the world, you can easily boost your own mood and help spread unity. Welcome our visitors. Pick up free stickers and glowing wristbands at Our Key West, 613 Simonton St. Distribute them when you travel. Include a sticker in your mail. It’s an uplifting surprise for whoever opens it. And explain to anyone who wonders what the phrase means to you.
You can use the power of words to lessen divisions. And if we can get people to understand we are actually equal parts of each other, we could fix nearly anything. Unity overcomes division and may be one thing that keeps our species alive into our sometimes scary-looking collective future.
