The Whole Enchilada
OHF Newsletter, Vol 2 No 16
Today we wrap-up “Equal People,” our first-ever special edition addressing equality as interpreted by an international team of Medium poets. Looking for the entire collection of literary works by beloved Medium poets, budding elegists, and breakout bards? You’re in luck! Here’s the whole enchilada, right here; from pomp and heraldry of “Poetry Will Save the World” by Joel Leon. to the hard truths and hopeful refrains of “Can We Just Be Human” by Wild Flower, and everything in between. You’re in for a treat.
Special thanks to all the poets who participated in OHF’s foray into poetry. You ladies and gentlemen are the best. I am in abject awe of your talent and generosity of heart.
And a very special thanks to Special Projects Editor Sherry Kappel for sharing her talents and assembling an all-star line-up of poets. Without this team, “Equal People” would never have happened.
New This Week: “Equal People”
“Can We Just Be Human?” by Wild Flower
The cause of humanity’s ills and their effects purified to one question. And a vision for our future and a means to make it our present.
“First Principles” by alto
A searing image of the state of mankind.
“Freedom, Justice and Equality—One Day” by D Abboh
A few obstacles to achieving freedom, justice, and equality.
“Freedom Rings” by BFoundAPen
A brief recounting of American history and the silencing of voices that attempted to answer the call of freedom.
“I Don’t Want to Know You” by Harper Thorpe
The inner dialogue of a conversation that leads to isolation and continued ignorance.
“Life of a Soon-to-be Immigrant Child” by Max Smith
A look behind the barbed wire at a situation that is all too common for immigrant children seeking a new beginning.
“Missed America” by Tre L. Loadholt
A single haiku—presenting an unflinching view of the land of the free and the home of the brave—formed from ten different haikus.
“Morelia” by Jorge Quintana
Reflections on the historical and cultural meaning of the migration of monarch butterflies to Morelia, Mexico.
“Ode to the Essential” by Estacious(Charles White)
Essential workers existed long before the coronavirus pandemic. These three stanzas span 400+ years and extol the nature of what is truly essential.
“Oil & Water” by Sherry Kappel
Opportunities to be our elemental best by demonstrating love for humanity.
“Poetry Will Save the World” by Joel Leon.
If you view poems as a luxury only indulged by blue-haired old ladies and the well-to-do, this essay is for you. Peel back age-old misconceptions about poetry and learn of the power they possess.
“(Re)formation: Step Back to Acceptance” by Indira Reddy
Do-overs. How many of us would like to have a second chance to set things right? And ways to move forward with peace.
“Sentences” by Guérin-Kairu
How we choose the words by which we’re measured.
“The Body Is Its Own Constellation” by Max Smith
The view inside each other’s skin.
“The Inequality of the Tasked” by Sylvia Wohlfarth
Definitions of who is and who isn’t a victim of inequality, as well as the pain inflicted on the former by the latter.
“The Simplicity of Equality” by Sylvia Wohlfarth
The case for the how-tos, the benefits, and the resulting joy for all.
“Two Sides” by Meg
Relational (in)equality broken down to its most basic components: Does it have to be “Heads I win, tails you lose”?
“We Do Come in Colors” by Ré Harris
A primer to the wealth of knowledge—the history, beauty, identity, and experience—inherent to lives lived in brown skin.
“We the Rain, We the Ocean” by Jenny Justice
The similarities between the rain, the ocean, and current events; plus the full range of humanity’s potential.
“Zoom Out Perspective” by Jk Mansi
Both micro and macro points of view of our planet, mixed with insights that are not black and white, but wrong and right, dark and bright.
Next Week
At Our Human Family, we write a lot about achieving equality in an external sense. You know, how we’re perceived by loved ones and the general public. On Tuesday, Terry Barr turns the concept of equality inside-out and writes about his experience resolving the struggle between two opposing halves that make him whole.
Gender equality. America’s made progress, but we’ve still got a long way to go. Glenn Rocess recounts an incident in which the Navy provided a means to justice in a matter involving sexual assault.
Let’s Stay Together
You can always find Our Human Family articles on Medium and Twitter, and friend-linked versions posted on our Facebook page for your convenience. Be sure to check out our Instagram page. Comment, follow us, and share our articles with people you think would enjoy them.
Memorial Day
Take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to remember the ultimate sacrifices of America’s armed forces men and women to ensure that we continue to enjoy our freedoms.
Love one another.
Clay Rivers
Our Human Family Founder and Editorial Director
