The Story Behind Key West's Official Motto: One Human Family
The small island of Key West at the southernmost tip of the United States has a motto heard around the world: “All people are equal members of One Human Family”. Created by local artist J.T. Thompson at the beginning of the millennium, the motto is meant to unite people regardless of their race, nationality, sexuality, and other differences that as the artist believes “are superficial distinctions and cannot be allowed to be twisted into cultural divisions”.
After merely a few months of having begun printing and handing out the One Human Family stickers to local businesses and shops around the island, Thompson’s motto was adopted as the city’s official philosophy in October of 2000. City of Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekly claimed the intention is to share the perspective with neighbors so everyone can find inspiration to grow together beyond our human differences. The motto was then adopted by the whole of the Florida Keys in 2001.
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The concept echoes the idea of oneness championed by thinkers like Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King Jr who claimed that the human being is part of the whole and should show compassion to our neighbor.
Key West has long been known as a tolerant and diverse city so the message stuck fairly quickly, and due to the vast number of tourists who pass the tiny island each year (about a million annually), the motto has gone viral.
Demand for the stickers and wristbands has surged in recent months, and since its debut, it’s distributed more than 2.75 million bumpers stickers and about 350,000 wristbands to 95 countries all over the world. Stickers have been sent to faraway places like the South Pole and Tibet, Australia and Nigeria amongst others.
The all-volunteer non-profit group that provides the printing and mailing of the black and white stickers are not affiliated with any government, business or religions. What’s more the stickers are free.
Simply send a business size self-addressed, stamped envelope to One Human Family, P.O. Box 972, Key West, FL 33041.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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