 Human Dignity Program Community Harmony Awards The City of Long Beach Human Dignity Program Community Harmony Awards are given to members in our community who have made outstanding contributions toward promoting community harmony in the celebration of the strengths of diversity. Sponsored by the City of Long Beach Human Dignity Program www.dignity.longbeach.gov
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Spoken Word by Dez (shared at the October 1 Cultural Diversity Celebration):
As a young man, 18 years young, I walk the streets of this city admiring
everything from the blue sky, to the yellow taxis, the white moon and
the red bus stops. Colors. This city has painted a human rainbow that
knows no barriers. It is simply amazing. On my street two young children
write their respective greetings in chalk on the sidewalk. One greeting:
hola, the other: shalom. I feel at peace, a peace that calms my heart
and makes me love the place I've come to reside. This home of mine is
it's own little fairy tale and I have all ready begun my happily ever
after because I know we are finally starting to do justice to Ghandi. We
have finally become the change we want to see. I remember sitting on my
grandmother Willa's lap once. Our skin color completely different. There
were children at school that had questioned this. Her skin so light but
my skin so dark...how could it possibly make sense. I questioned her
about this and she simply said ,"if anyone ever ask you what your race
is, your reply should be: human." That is what I am, a human being,
that's what I've always wanted to be, a respected, loved human being.
That's all we've ever wanted to be.
Read an article in the Press Telegram about our kickoff of October Cultural Diversity Month, ArtPEACE and the I Am Long Beach campaign at http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_10613941