INSPIRATION
Years ago, when The Whole Human Race was written, I was living in Chicago. It was my first “big city” experience. I grew up in a small town in Ohio and lived in the country, so being surrounded by so many different people was unique to me. Each day on my way to work I watched people from all different walks of life. I saw them laugh. I saw them cry. I saw them coo to their babies and hug their children. I saw them wave hello to friends and smile at strangers. There were so many different people from different places. Some spoke different languages and wore the clothes of their native cultures. Some spoke with sign language.
I loved trying to understand what people were communicating to each other even though I didn’t always understand the words they were saying. Separately, all of them had their own unique story but TOGETHER they were all connected by something very simple – they were a part of the whole human race. Regardless of where they were from, the color of their skin, their religion, who they loved, their abilities, how young or old they were — there was a universal language that was understood by all.
Communication. Verbal and non-verbal. Smiles. Frowns. Tears. Waves. Hurrahs. Groans. Laughter. Body language. It was all so simple – this universal language that connected us all regardless of race, creed, skin color, culture, age, gender, or abilities. If we began by reinforcing and reminding our children of this message, if we could give them tangibile ways to be inclusive and find empathy, we could begin to change the world and make it a more peaceful place.
Tim McFadden — Author
Some Places We've Been
The book has been to many places! You’ll notice in some images a copy of the very first version! The Whole Human Race evolved based on requests and suggestions from kids along the way who said they’d love to see some other “…kids and people and maybe even some animals or pets. Dogs! What about a cat?”
If you’ve read the book, you might be looking for a reader who inspired one of the kids. Well, you found her! This girl from South Africa was the inspiration for Zula!
This letter and picture traveled all the way from South Africa. Steve Rosenthal, Founder and former Executive Directorof Cross-Cultural Solutions handed out the book to local villagers. This was one girl’s touching response.
Mrs. Kelly Smith, a volunteer of ours, reads to Mrs. Schug’s 3rd grade class in rural Monroeville, Ohio – a town with a total population of 1428. We were excited to have an opportunity to read to this small, wonderful school and give the kids copies of the book.
Getting the book to kids in a classroom in China was accomplished by Steve Rosenthal, Founder and former Executive Director of Cross Cultural Solutions. The kids loved the book and a volunteer who read to them was amazed by their response to the message. Of course we sent more books!