October 20th 2016
Julian Curtiss 26th United Nations Day Speech 2016
AsalaamAlekom. Which means, peace be upon you in Arabic.
My name is BasmahJassem. I am the proud mother of three, Yasmin Harrim 3rd grade, Zacharia who just joined Julian Curtiss this year as a kindergartener and Lujane our little bundle of fun naughtiness!
I was born and raised in Cyprus, one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. My father is from Iraq and my mother is Syrian.
Before my highschool years, my parents made the decision to move the family to Jordan, where I eventually achieved my BSc degree in Computing. Later, we moved to the United Kingdom where I continued my graduate studies in 3D Computing and graduated with distinction.
Jordan holds a very special place in my heart. Itis where I met my husband Mohammad, who was raised in Kuwait but is a Jordanian of Palestinian origin. A few years later, Mohammad and I immigrated to the United States.
Even though I had lived in various European countries most of my life, the first year here was very difficult. Both of us never really lived in a country that we could call our own. With that mindset, we were determined to make America our home.
Moving to a new country is no joke. So much that is dear to you is left behind; family, friends, and a home full of memories. You find yourself having to adapt to a new language, new norms, new people, new settings, a new mix of cultures, even the food! But slowly you gain confidence and find yourself not only fitting in but you begin to realize that you have so much to offer and contribute to the community. Slowly, at first, then more quickly later on, you begin to feel accepted. Let me tell you that there is nothing more gratifying than the feeling of being welcomed.
Having come from very diverse backgrounds, Mohammad and Ivery much appreciated this and wanted the same kind of environment for our children. It is why we feel so blessed that we were able to place our children at JC in the hands of its extraordinary and supportive staff.
Julian Curtissis a microcosm, a smaller world, of the world that we want our children to live in; rich in diverse races, ethnicities, genders, cultures, religions and socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds. All of these cultural ingredients brought together is what makes America…America.
What a beautiful portrait of the world we are all painting together for our children. By being a part of this microcosm, we are teaching our children openness, tolerance and acceptance to all these differences, where one day we will no longer need to ask if we are diverse enough because it will become the norm.
We are not meant to be the same. Think about it!We are not meant to be the same.Isn't it amazing how many shades human skin comes in? Isn't it phenomenal how many colors and textures our hair can be? Isn't it even crazier how many different kinds of places we lived in? Different homes, Different geographies. How many different faiths we practice?
Our individuality is what makes us unique.
And together we share a great love and gratitude for America… Together we are America!
So I remind myself: I am a mother; I'm not a single girl, or one unattached to the challenges of children. Embrace it. I'm a hijab wearing Muslimwoman. Embrace it. I'm an immigrant. Embrace it. I'm not poor and I'm not rich, just somewhere in between. Embrace it.
I cannot be a person who comes from another time or place. I must be me. I must embrace my story, my place. Because no one else who walks the face of this earth, not a single person out of the 7 billion people who walk the face of this earth will live and be exactly like me or you.
Becausewe were not meant to be the same.We were meant to be different so that together we can enrich and enliven our colorful world.
Julian Curtiss allows us to embrace our differences with true acceptance not just inclusion. And that is what I hope my children learn.
Everyone has a place in this world.
Our children… be ambassadors and work towards a better world. A world built with bridges and not walls. Not a world where you must lose pieces of yourselves to fit in, not where you must compromise your values to get ahead. A world that will allow you to embrace your differences,be loved and live with integrity.
We are so very blessed to have Mrs. McGuire leading the highly dedicated and talented JC staff here. Thank you for helping our little Ambassadors of the world grow to one day become the builders of a better world. Our children and grandchildren deserve this.
Today we are celebrating our diversity in the 26th United Nations day, but I believe in Julian Curtiss we celebrate this every single day!
So let me end this with these two inspirational quotes.
"Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind." (Prophet Muhammad, PBUH)
“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” (Jimmy Carter)
Thank you and God Bless!
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