Events promoting the “More in Common” theme were held across the country on the weekend to mark the one-year anniversary of the murdered MP Jo Cox. We asked readers for their experiences of unity and why it’s important.
Michael Solomon Williams, 34, London: We wrote a song called Human Kind
There is profound truth in Jo Cox’s words that we have more in common than things which divide. I was shocked by her death but inspired by her life. The day after the EU referendum I found myself coordinating a global response to division and called upon people via Facebook to demonstrate the power of music to bring communities together. The response was phenomenal.
To channel the offerings of thousands across the world, we wrote Human Kind. Featuring quotations from John Donne’s No Man Is An island and the book, Jo Cox: More In Common, the song was conceived to be adaptable for a wide range of musical genres and abilities. It was also designed so that it could be recorded across the world, creating an international music video bringing people together from all communities, cultures, nations and musical genres.
The song was recorded in London last August and was screened at Hackney More In Common at the weekend. Since that day, the song has travelled around the world, with contributions from an extraordinary range of choirs and solo artists.
Geoff, 74, Sheffield: Three congregations merged into one is proof we are stronger together
Unity means two or more people or groups or institutions joining together to act as one. This involves compromise. Everybody has to give up something dear to them, at least their independence, but usually quite a bit more. The amazing thing is that the individual parties usually get back far more than they put in.
I was once vicar of a parish that had two Methodist chapels who spoke to us more than to each other. So we decided to act as a catalyst for unity. A troubleshooting Methodist minister was drafted in and we formed a local ecumenical project, which resulted in the vast majority of the members of the Methodist chapels agreeing with the decision to sell their buildings and join us in a unified congregation.
Together we developed a pattern of worship that was a mix of our two traditions. The project worked because everyone’s heart was in it. Over two decades the congregation has grown and they have built a new church hall, which helps them to serve the community. Three congregations merged into one and became living proof that people are indeed stronger together. Unity does work.
Molly, 41, France: Standing united makes you feel strong
I’m a writer from Finland and before coming to the little village in which I now live I was a loner. Starting anew in a new place was my opportunity for a clean slate. To avoid loneliness as a foreigner living in France, I became involved. I volunteered for everything and everybody: school kids, elderly, youth activities, music classes and neighbours. The result was astounding. I’ve never had more friends or more people to lean on, to rely on.
In this little village, people from all social classes, including me, do everything together. Renovating a house? You’ve got helpers. In need of help in gardening, music classes, babysitting, school activities, cooking, moral support? You’ve got it. We eat together every Wednesday and everyone brings what they can. We play music together every week, we sing together, we make pottery together. When my child became ill and had to spend a long time in a hospital, the villagers got together to help: babysitting my older one, taking turns to sit with my child, sending gifts, cooking; they even wanted to raise money to help.
People feel powerless, as all means to influence their lives and their own happiness seem to be slipping away. Standing united, helping each other out in need, makes you feel strong. Like you can make a difference. Because you can, even if it is only in your tiny microcosms of an apartment building, village, city or county. Unity gives us back our control over our wellbeing in a very real way.
Carol, 69, London: Socialising helps prevent discrimination
Unity means sticking together despite our differences. No two people are exactly alike and we have to accept that each person is entitled to their own thoughts and habits. The lovely volunteers for the mental health drop-in I started up nearly eight years ago constantly show solidarity with those with mental health conditions. The committee has people with and without mental health problems – we’re all mixing together and sometimes socialising together so discrimination is not possible. Over time, an understanding of people’s strengths and limitations grows.
More recently, I was shocked that several of my friends voted for Brexit. This was a great wake-up call for me regarding tolerance as they are all longstanding close friends, so I have had to accept and understand their reasons. I think they have done the same for me. Whether you agree with past immigration or not, the people of the UK are of various races and religions/non-religion and this is their home now and may have been for generations.
Michal Siewniak, 37, Welwyn Garden City: Despite many challenges unity is possible
I recently attended a superb conference in Eindhoven organised by the Welwyn Hatfield InterFaith Group that looked at enrichment in diversity. This experience enabled me to understand that we should try not to label and stigmatise people because they come from another faith, cultural, social and ethnic background. This event has also helped me to believe that, despite many challenges, unity is possible and a lot of people try to live it in a very practical and concrete way.
We all have doubts whether very multicultural societies can actually work however, despite many negative stories in mainstream media, so many people try to show solidarity and compassion towards people or communities who suffer injustice. Recent events in London and Manchester demonstrate that people from all walks of life can work for the common good. We all need to do our part, never give up and keep believing that a united world, productive cooperation and fruitful partnership are the best ways to solve global and local issues.
Some names have been changed.
