“All Peoples Day”
When it comes to holiday celebrations, the list we currently participate in is quite extensive. We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Valentines Day, and many major religious holidays that include Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah and Ramadan. We celebrate a holiday in honor of the birth of the U.S.A on the 4th of July with fireworks displays that often take our breath away. In each holiday celebration, there is one thing missing. Someone is usually left out. Not on purpose. It’s just because the occasion doesn’t fit.
Of course, not everyone is Irish (St. Patrick’s Day) or in a love relationship (Valentines Day). Some folks don’t practice a particular religion or are not patriots or even Americans for that matter. But all people on the planet share one thing in common that everyone can celebrate and that is that we are all human beings. What if there was a holiday honoring all people where no one could be excluded?
Well, it’s not official yet but we are getting closer. Actually, it is official for those who attended the recent All Peoples Day Diversity Festival last month in Delray Beach. In attendance were over 300 people representing all ages, assorted cultures, races and religions. The event was held to provide creative and fun avenues of understanding and connections among the many ethnic and issue based groups in South Florida. Festival exhibitors provided workshops, entertainment, display information, cultural craft making and ethnic foods.
The festival is the brainchild of a woman who, a few years ago, began lobbying for All Peoples Day to become a national holiday. Her name is Susan Berkowitz–Schwartz and she says she won’t quit until she sees her dream come true. Susan created the All People's Day holiday inspired by her own feelings of being different. While developing the traditions through the creative process, she came to appreciate the universal qualities at our core and the differences that help make us individuals. Creativity bridged the gap for Susan. She became a master's level, board certified, creative arts therapist and licensed professional counselor helping others to use the arts to connect, discover, and heal. All People's Day helped her to express her values, and it expanded from a personal annual event to embrace many individuals and organizations. She has presented the All People's Day program in more than fifty towns with a variety of different cultural mixes. A chapter about Susan's work was published in the book “Art Therapy & Social Action.” Her goal is for the ideals of All People's Day to spread through a national holiday.
I have truly embraced one of Susan’s favorite sayings and I believe the few simple words contained in the phrase could help us all come to a higher consciousness when it comes to interacting with others. She is often heard saying…We are all made from the same stuff.” Let us remember these profound words as we continue to help bring Susan’s dream into reality. Peace out.
To learn more about All Peoples Day or to view photos and videos from the festival, you can visit www.allpeoplesday.com
Jack Bloomfield is the co-founder and executive director of One Planet United, Inc., a non
profit 501(c)3 organization.
One Planet United's mission statement is: To bring unity and understanding to all people through
experiential and educational programs, projects and resources.
|
