Saturday, October 17, 2009

On Oct. 17, 2000, Key West's groundbreaking "One Human Family" resolution proclaimed "all people are our equals," and urged everyone to "grow beyond the artificial limitations of racism, nationalism, sexism, classism, monotheism, prejudice, homophobia and every other illusion used to try to separate us all from being equal." So, One Human Family is not about any one group, it is about eliminating barriers between all people everywhere.

Since then, One Human Family has been endorsed by Monroe County, Conch Republic, Carnival Cruise Lines, General Motors, AFL-CIO, Unitarian Universalist Church, Rotary Clubs, Simon Weisenthal Center, Holocaust Museums, Clemson University, Key West Salvation Army, and scores of other organizations and businesses across the country.

As our philosophy gets spread around the world (on more than 1 million stickers), even President Obama mentioned it in his May 17 Notre Dame speech, saying: "We must find a way to reconcile our ever-shrinking world with its ever-growing diversity -- diversity of thought, of culture, and of belief. In short, we must find a way to live together as one human family."

And Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said about President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize: "He has shown an unshakeable commitment to diplomacy, mutual respect and dialogue as the best means of resolving conflicts. He has reached out across divides and made clear that he sees the world as one human family, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity."

With world leaders promoting one human family, local personalities have weighed in, too.

• Key West City Commissioner Teri Johnston: "I strive to live my life contributing to the betterment of our one human family. This community attitude is the single most important factor that drew me to Key West."

• Key Wet mayoral candidate/activist Mike Mongo: "One Human Family is one of Key West's most culturally relevant contributions to the world today. In Washington, D.C., this past week, One Human Family stickers were warmly received by thousands of international participants at the National Equality March."

• Key West City Commissioner Jimmy Weekley: "I was honored to have sponsored the One Human Family resolution that passed unanimously as the official philosophy of the city of Key West. It is a philosophy that the city has embraced and one which I practice daily."

• Key West Business Guild President Babs Wade: "The One Human Family philosophy adopted by the city of Key West nine years ago says more in one sentence about our wonderful island community than any travel guide could ever describe. It is with great pride that we see this motto now recognized not only throughout the nation but across the globe."

• Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "I'm so proud to represent a loving, accepting city like Key West with its official motto, One Human Family. If every person who has passed the sticker along would put some compassion and tenderness into action, think of how much better our planet would be!"

• Matthew Helmerich: "When you consider the millions of messages aimed at the bad side of human nature -- fight your enemy, consume more than you need, step on the back of the other guy to get where you're headed -- how reassuring it is to know that there are 1 million positive messages out there reminding us that, after all, we're one family."

• Key West City Commissioner Clayton Lopez: "One Human Family is much more than a catchy phrase. It is the recognition that we are all created equal."

• Metropolitan Community Church's the Rev. Joe McMurray: "One Human Family captures the essence of what every secular and religious tradition should uphold. It provides each of us with an immediate opportunity to go beyond our narrow expectations about one another and invite the holy in all of us as we welcome the unexpected, the stranger, the marginalized, and the lonely."

• Key West and Florida Keys Ambassador Steve Smith: "I travel the world promoting Key West. Everywhere I go I take our stickers and wristbands. ... People love them and it's a great way to introduce potential visitors to our wonderful destination."

• Waterfront Playhouse Artistic Director Danny Weathers: "We revised our mission statement to incorporate One Human Family. We felt the One Human Family idea was the perfect way to express our goals of being an inclusive theater as we illuminate the human experience onstage. Our productions celebrate the common humanity that unites us."

Nine years in, we invite everyone to join in promoting unity, equal rights, dignity and respect for all people worldwide. Future generations are looking to us to set a good example for them. Take some free stickers with you on trips -- or send them to friends and loved ones. They are great to include in holiday cards. With One Human Family in our hearts and our actions, we are working together to make the world of tomorrow a better place.

J.T. Thompson is art director at Solares Hill Design Group and the founder of the One Human Family movement.