“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of that tapestry are equal in value no matter their color.” – Maya Angelou

 

Welcome to “Our Beautiful Human Family” Corner! This year, the Greene Towne Parent Association’s DIB Committee (formerly Diversity Committee) is thrilled to have a dedicated space to share about all things related to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. 

 

As an introduction, we want to explain how the name of our “corner” came about. Last year, we were inspired by the words of Maya Angelou to rename an annual event where GTMS families gather to celebrate diversity and inclusion with stories, crafts, and delicious food. The above quote is just one of the many by Angelou, who wrote and spoke powerfully about civil rights. Her poem entitled “Human Family” also speaks to the beauty and strength of a community wherein all members are valued and fully accepted as they are – and similarities and differences are seen and honored. Taken together, the name, “Our Beautiful Human Family,” was born. 

 

While we cannot host this in-person event this year, we aim to carry on and expand these necessary conversations among our school staff, caregivers, and children. The work continues! No matter our background, we all have so much to learn together and can help each other grow. Our hope is to regularly share recommendations and resources for children’s books, podcasts, activities, and other forms of media that can uplift, unite, and challenge all of us. We would love to hear how the content we share impacts you and your family, and we encourage you to pass things along to your community outside of GTMS. We welcome you to join our committee, too, if you are able to!

 

For now, you can scroll down to read Maya Angelou’s “Human Family” and listen to her read it aloud. Until next time!

 

“Human Family”

Maya Angelou

(Click for recording)

 

I note the obvious differences

in the human family.

Some of us are serious,

some thrive on comedy.

 

Some declare their lives are lived

as true profundity,

and others claim they really live

the real reality.

 

The variety of our skin tones

can confuse, bemuse, delight,

brown and pink and beige and purple,

tan and blue and white.

 

I’ve sailed upon the seven seas

and stopped in every land,

I’ve seen the wonders of the world

not yet one common man.

 

I know ten thousand women

called Jane and Mary Jane,

but I’ve not seen any two

who really were the same.

 

Mirror twins are different

although their features jibe,

and lovers think quite different thoughts

while lying side by side.

 

We love and lose in China,

we weep on England’s moors,

and laugh and moan in Guinea,

and thrive on Spanish shores.

 

We seek success in Finland,

are born and die in Maine.

In minor ways we differ,

in major we’re the same.

 

I note the obvious differences

between each sort and type,

but we are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

 

We are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.

 

We are more alike, my friends,

than we are unalike.