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Celebrating Youth Perspectives: 2025 Human Relations Student Contest Winners
Youth Perspectives on Identity, Justice, and Belonging
Explore the winning entries from the 2025 Orange County Human Relations Student Contest. These original essays, poems, and artist statements elevate the voices of local youth as they reflect on themes of identity, justice, community, and belonging.
“United We Stand: How Equality, Mutuality, and Reciprocity Create True Community”Chapel Hill High School The concept of community is often invoked, yet its true essence remains elusive. Beyond proximity or shared interests, a genuine community thrives on a foundation of deep, reciprocal human connections. Pauli Murray asserts that true community is built on equality, mutuality, and reciprocity—values that affirm diversity and strengthen the “ties that bind us together.” Her words emphasize the importance of unity in a just society and highlight the intersection between meaningful human relations and the development of a strong community. Kamala Harris once said, “Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power.” Embracing our differences enriches communities by bringing together a wide range of cultural experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Equality fosters trust and open communication, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to express themselves authentically. Conversely, inequalities—whether based on race, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status—fracture communities and hinder social cohesion and mutual understanding. True community also thrives on mutuality and reciprocity, as both principles foster a sense of belonging and deep connection among individuals. Mutuality ensures that every member feels valued and included. Reciprocity, as a balanced give-and-take, strengthens relationships by encouraging fairness and cooperation, ensuring that support flows in both directions. When relationships become unbalanced—where some give while others only take—resentment and disengagement can arise, weakening communal harmony. As reflected in the quote, Pauli Murray believed that mutuality and reciprocity are essential to achieving justice within a community. She would likely argue that when reciprocity is absent, oppression takes root, forcing marginalized groups to bear the weight of injustice while others benefit. A truly inclusive community, in her vision, would require both personal commitment and institutional change—where people not only acknowledge diversity but actively work toward equity and collective uplift. These ideas remain deeply relevant in today’s America, where inequality, systemic injustice, and threats to human rights persist. The rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, rollback of reproductive rights, and ongoing racial inequities reveal a lack of collective responsibility. Murray would call attention to these issues, reminding us that justice denied to some weakens the foundation of democracy for all. Shared values and experiences form the basis of human connection and belonging. Grassroots movements, community aid networks, and neighborhood initiatives all show how strong human relations contribute to a thriving society. When we invest in one another—acknowledging both shared struggles and unique perspectives—we create resilient and compassionate communities committed to justice for all. Pauli Murray’s vision of true community remains vital. Communities that embrace diversity, uphold fairness, and practice mutual care become spaces where people thrive. Murray’s words remind us that community is not just about location—it’s about our depth of commitment to one another. As we move forward, let us actively create inclusive spaces, challenge injustice, and build bonds rooted in equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. |
“i am rising”Chapel Hill High School the only tie that binds us
is ignorance;
that need for leadership,
a voice to the chaos,
even may it be the source of the propaganda.
copy. paste.
copy, paste, copy, paste,
copy paste copy paste copy paste copy paste
the same fear
of unknown
of acceptance;
cause unwillingness of understanding.
nothing is given that is not earned
and what is earned is not what is deserved.
but here
i am given the life to prosper,
i am learning the name of a respect
i have never been given
i have learned to dance in the wind
that calls me by my name
and rises my voice higher than i thought possible
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“See Me”Chapel Hill High School See me
For my name
Not the horrible ones,
Your ancestors gave mine
See me
Not just for my hair,
But for all of the attributes
That come with me being Black
See me
For my potential
Not the horrible future
You think I’ll grow up to have
See me
For my personality
Not the stereotypes
You have about me
See me
Not for the color of my skin
But for the battles I had to fight
To wear it proudly
See me for all of me
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Ceramic Sculpture & Artist StatementChapel Hill High School My name is Julian Shulman. I am in 11th grade and attending Chapel Hill High School. I decided to make a ceramic piece to analyze Pauli Murray’s thoughts on the connection between true community and human relations. I based my piece off of the works of Sam Gilliam, an African-American artist who worked with large canvases, becoming critically acclaimed in the D.C. area.
I made a 4-sided pyramid, with each face drawing some inspiration from Gilliam’s works. I incorporated the color blue into each side. The glazes flow together, and the blue may blend with others, or stand in stark contrast to those around it. The numerous hues and variations are representative of the “richness of individual diversity.” The glazes are unique, yet share one color between them all. Just like people, they all share in the collective human spirit.
We have organized into a vast array of communities, yet we can still connect with each other. This element of connection is apparent in my own school. Students of diverse backgrounds and cultures are able to communicate with each other in class. They share unique positions, but find each other agreeing on a wide range of topics. The sides of the pyramid balance each other, symbolic of how different communities work together towards common solutions.
I think that in today’s world, Pauli Murray would see a similar need to build communities and connections.
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