If you know anything about me, you know that I like to think of myself as independent. Ask anyone in my family, and they’ll tell you I was always the kid who wanted to do everything for himself. The realization that I was physically different than all the other kids–and the adults–came hard and fast, along with a desire for others to hold me in the same regard as I did: capable, talented, and just as likable as everyone else. Just noticeably shorter.

As you might have guessed, I’ve been a closet advocate for racial equity and equality for decades, first for my benefit and but now for others. Being “othered” and seeing it done to others is nothing new. But neither is knowing there are people out there to help set things right, to open career doors (like Cindy White, Dale T. Moore, and Valerie Oberle), to encourage and inspire me to keep on keepin’ on (Elsie Gene Adams, Alison Queal Warrell), and who magnanimously helped make my dreams a reality (Kathy Van Tassell, Joseph Gardner, Linda Haberman, and countless more).

There’ve been people in my life who have proven undeniably that “racist” is not the default setting in every white person (Norton Baker, MD; Debbie Kevwitch, Guy Blakey) and that people can abandon –isms when they want to, when they believe it’s possible, and when they know how (most of the Dept. 384 Pals). And yes, several people have taught me that God is so much bigger, more generous, and more loving than any human can ever imagine (my Grandmothers, Rev. R. D. Daniels, Rev. John and Nancy Christiansen, and Rev. Ed Bacon).

My family and a close circle of friends from back in the day have schooled me repeatedly that love conquers all.

We can break the stranglehold racism has on America once and for all. It’s time, people.

With all these beloveds, friends, mentors, co-conspirators, and cheerleaders, it was only natural that I’d answer the call and found Our Human Family and OHF Weekly. Why? Because I believe in the power of racial equity, allyship, and inclusion. I’ve seen people grow and change for the better too often to know that it’s not impossible or even a one-off. And other people have, too. If you’re still reading, chances are you’ve seen it happen, too. Or maybe it’s happened to you.

One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that I can’t do this alone. I want Our Human Family to touch a larger audience, with more like-minded writers from all walks of life. But writers shouldn’t write for free. We’ve got a workshop in the can to help people abandon race-based biases and prejudice and embrace a more equitable worldview. I’d like to keep that OHF magazine thing going hard and write at least two more books before I close my eyes.

I want to help people become the best version of themselves so we can break the stranglehold racism has on America once and for all. It’s time, people.

But I can’t do it alone. 

Like that guy said, you know the one, he used to draw cartoons about a mouse – “...it takes people to make the dream a reality.” And to quote Maya Angelou, “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”

So that wanna-be independent, sometimes intelligent, and funny Black guy with dwarfism and unique point of view who’s been known to string a couple of sentences together and share life-changing stories once in a while, that guy – me – I’m asking for your help. I hope you’ll consider making a tax-deductible financial contribution to Our Human Family. Make your donation via PayPal or Venmo. The OHF board, editors, writers, and I would really appreciate it.

Love one another.

Clay Rivers 
Our Human Family, Founder and President