To celebrate National Poetry Month, HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools asked young people to write poems about what equality means to them, and we’re loving the amazing responses we’ve been receiving!

The Welcoming Schools program uses the power of poetry in its lesson plans to help children share and explore issues they are passionate about, to make connections around social justice and to build inclusive communities by learning about and celebrating one another's differences.

This week, check out some wonderful poems by young people who are celebrating love, acceptance and standing up for what is right.

Everyone’s Voice Matters by CT

Social justice
One set of fair laws
Circumstances all the same
If I see someone
And they’re different, I will
Like them all the same
Justice is important
Unfairness
Should be crushed
Try to be fair
It is important to
Care for
Everyone

The Wing Poem by SE

As long as you try, don’t give up and you’ll fly. Stand up to bullies, change who they are, and believe in yourself and you’ll fly far. Show bullies the light of doing what’s right. Gain your might and no matter what fight because there is a light in you. Gotta do what you gotta do, be yourself, just be you.

Ruby Bridges by AC

Ruby
Unfairly treated
Brave
You should look up to her as a role model

Brought to an only white school
Racism stander upper
Intelligent
Don’t be discouraged
Gutsy and gorgeous
Excellent leader in the 1960s

Still alive to motivate others!

For more about HRC Foundation’s work to improve school climate and to read one of our lesson plans, click here.

HRC Foundation's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to:

• Welcome diverse families;
• Create LGBTQ and gender-inclusive schools;
• Prevent bias-based bullying;
• Support transgender and non-binary students.