One Human Family 25th Anniversary

In the photo: City Manager Brian L. Barroso, Commissioners Monica Haskell and Lissette Carey, Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez, J.T. Thompson, Vice Mayor Donie Lee, and Commissioners Aaron Castillo, and Sam Kaufman.

Mayor Danise “DeeDee” Henriquez and the City Commission this month recognized the 25th anniversary of the City’s official motto of “One Human Family.”

“Key West is an enlightened island community,” reads the proclamation, “that is passionate about all living together as caring, sharing neighbors and that each of us are dedicated to making our home as close to paradise as we can,”
J.T. Thompson came up with the motto of One Human Family in the 1990s as a way to unite the diverse community that is Key West. On October 17th, 2000, the City Commission adopted the phrase as the city’s motto.

Since then, Thompson has been providing bumper stickers and wristbands bearing the motto. As he accepted the proclamation, he noted that, more than 4.5 million stickers have been distributed free around the world.

He told the story of one Saharan tribe that was completely isolated when local author Amy Culver visited them and shared the sticker. Thompson said it took some time, but the members of the tribe adopted the notion in a way that changed their world view.
​
“This motto made them part of the human tribe,” said Thompson. “That’s how important these three words are.”
“We want to share our unique perspective and simple (but true) words of hope,” continues the proclamation, “with our global neighbors, so others can find inspiration to grow beyond the artificial limitations of racism, nationalism, sexism, classism, religious intolerance, prejudice, homophobia, and every other illusion used to try to separate us from all being equal.”