The Human Family
What’s the best-known food that nobody knows anything about? C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E. The word draws most of us a picture of a candy bar, a luscious slab, or a melty Easter bunny. Our brains rush with dopamine even at just the thought of eating it. Fact.
Here’s another fact. It was only in 1847 that Joseph Fry created the first modern chocolate bar in Bristol. That’s right, for about 96% of chocolate’s 5000 year history, it was a drink.
I’m not here to host a history lesson. There’s nothing I can teach you in a few lines that you can’t Google yourself. And you should, because it’s bloody fascinating. Rotate this carton to the opposite panel to read our guiding philosophy behind the creation of this chocolate m*lk.
This side of the pack is dedicated to love. Not the sexy kind, although eating chocolate does make you feel a little naughty. I’m talking about the ‘love thy neighbour’ kind of love.
The simple truth is that chocolate transcends geographic, racial and cultural boundaries and is adored by billions across the globe. Chocolate binds us, while society is set on exaggerating our differences. Chocolate reminds us that we are all connected to each other and to our planet.
In her powerful poem "Human Family" Maya Angelou beautifully expresses that we are all one big family. Imagine the change we would see in the world if we all shared her grace and wisdom:
“I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.
The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.
I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.
Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.
We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.
We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.
I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike."