There are lots and lots of commemorative days, created in order to bring our attention to an event, or a change that is needed, or a person who deserves recognition. The commemorative day associated with May 24 is National Brother’s Day.
The intention of this unofficial holiday is to celebrate the marvelous relationship between brothers and sisters and brothers and brothers. Ask anyone about their brothers and most likely you’ll get a lot of understanding and love and support and reliance and gratitude. You might also get some rivalry and disappointment as sibling relationships can be complicated.
Our intention in this writing is to take the word ‘brother’ to another level, that is the level of ‘Brotherhood’. But first, just a moment of history of the commemoration.
A Bit of History
We will begin with a quote from the Calendar website [LINK].
“The word ‘brother’ stems from the Latin root ‘frater’ and the Proto-Germanic word ‘brothar,’ which itself comes from the Proto-Indo-European root ‘bhrater.’ Regardless of origin, both in words and in blood, our brothers have our backs over and over again. They’re our closest friends and, sometimes, the most annoying people we know. But we love them anyway. Even some of the most famous people in history had brothers to lean on and be annoyed by.
“Brother’s Day has been celebrated on May 24 since the year 2005. Although the exact details of the holiday are unknown, it was Alabama-based C. Daniel Rhodes who had first organized the holiday and its proceedings. In some regions, National Brother’s Day is an unofficial holiday. It is not to be confused with National Siblings Day, which takes place in April.”
What is Brotherhood?
To our minds, ‘Brotherhood’ is a crown of humanity. To live with each other as Brothers is a deeply desired state. When corporations practice DE&I that should be recognized as an effort they are making toward true Brotherhood.
We have found two poems for your enjoyment and understanding. The first is from Langston Hughes, entitled “I, Too”.
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I, Too Poem by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I’ll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody’ll dare
Say to me,
‘Eat in the kitchen,’
Then.
Besides,
They’ll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed-
I, too, am America.
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What a beautiful offering, and deeply relevant to this day. Our next writing is from Kahlil Gibran. The entire “A Poet’s Voice” can be found at this [LINK]. We have selected a few paragraphs from Part Three.
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Part Three
A Poet’s Voice Xv Poem by Kahlil Gibran
“Thou art my brother because you are a human, and we both are sons of one Holy Spirit; we are equal and made of the same earth.
“You are here as my companion along the path of life, and my aid in understanding the meaning of hidden Truth. You are a human, and, that fact sufficing, I love you as a brother. You may speak of me as you choose, for Tomorrow shall take you away and will use your talk as evidence for his judgment, and you shall receive justice.
“You may deprive me of whatever I possess, for my greed instigated the amassing of wealth and you are entitled to my lot if it will satisfy you.
“You may do unto me whatever you wish, but you shall not be able to touch my Truth.
“You may shed my blood and burn my body, but you cannot kill or hurt my spirit.
“You may tie my hands with chains and my feet with shackles, and put me in the dark prison, but who shall not enslave my thinking, for it is free, like the breeze in the spacious sky.
“You are my brother and I love you. I love you worshipping in your church, kneeling in your temple, and praying in your mosque. You and I and all are children of one religion, for the varied paths of religion are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme Being, extended to all, offering completeness of spirit to all, anxious to receive all.
“I love you for your Truth, derived from your knowledge; that Truth which I cannot see because of my ignorance. But I respect it as a divine thing, for it is the deed of the spirit. Your Truth shall meet my Truth in the coming world and blend together like the fragrance of flowers and becoming one whole and eternal Truth, perpetuating and living in the eternity of Love and Beauty.
“I love you because you are weak before the strong oppressor, and poor before the greedy rich. For these reasons I shed tears and comfort you; and from behind my tears I see you embraced in the arms of Justice, smiling and forgiving your persecutors. You are my brother and I love you.”
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Our message is delivered through these poets. America has endured a long struggle to bring an end to racism and discrimination. When corporations make the commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and they include justice as well (JEDI) it is a high point of the corporation. The corporation embraces the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of humanity. At AMS we seek to be the change we wish to see in the world – we’re a B corporation with an intention to be human.
If you’re lucky enough to have a brother or two, give them a call today. Your brother likely holds a high position in your heart, no matter the differences – your brother is there, and you have shared a whole lot of time with him. Chances are you love him, always have and always will.
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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to putting People and Planet before profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.
