At a time when humanity faces increasing divisions, few voices remind us of our shared humanity as powerfully as Sara Ting, President and Founder of World Unity, Inc., TEDx Speaker, diversity educator, and the visionary behind the Sun Poem. Her life’s work, deeply rooted in a spiritual awakening and her own lived experience as an Asian American growing up in a largely homogenous America, has inspired movements in education, arts, and community building across the nation.
The Birth of the Sun Poem
In 1978, during a gray New England day, Ting sat on a bus, disheartened after being made to feel invisible in her search for a place of worship. At that moment, the sun broke through the clouds, shining on her face. She recalls hearing a voice: “I don’t shine on you, I shine on everyone.” In her journal, she wrote the words that would later become known worldwide:
“Are you greater than the sun / That shines on everyone: Black, Brown, Yellow, Red and White / The sun does not discriminate.”
“The Sun Poem dares us to see clearly, to lead courageously, and to shine universally,” Ting reflects. “It calls each of us to dare to be as great as the sun—and shine on everyone.”
A Poem That Became a Movement
What began as a deeply personal moment soon became public. In 1985, the Sun Poem appeared on billboards across Boston as part of a citywide campaign for equality and racial harmony during the tense years of desegregation. By 1987, it was commissioned for the YWCA of Boston, whose mission is the elimination of racism. One young woman, who initially resented the poem because it resurfaced painful memories of discrimination, came to embrace it, realizing it helped her find forgiveness. Ting recalls: “That moment planted the seed for World Unity, Inc.”
World Unity, Inc. was born to raise self-awareness, promote equality, and build the World Unity Landmark—an enduring structure that will display the Sun Poem and stand as a beacon of inclusion, much like the Statue of Liberty stands for freedom.
The Song That Inspires Students
The Sun Poem also gave birth to the song We All See the Stars, composed by John Ciambriello. It has reached hundreds of schools across America through the program Singing Equality Across America. The impact has been profound—empowering children to express themselves and see equality in new ways.
A teacher shared that some of her most reserved students were deeply moved, using the song as a vehicle to finally voice their feelings. The children’s words speak volumes:
- “When I sing this song, I feel like I can do anything.” – VH
- “It reminds me to be friends with everyone.” – Jade
- “It will help remind people that we are all human.” – Anthony
- “One day the world will hear this song and it will stop discrimination.” – Annie
As Ting emphasizes, “Children are the end users. They have no political agenda. They simply tell the truth of what this song means to them.”
Why It Matters Now
The Sun Poem is not just a poem; it is a tool for transformation. Ting explains:
“The truth is laws, policies, and technology cannot eliminate unconscious biases all humans have. The change must come from within each person.”
Her TEDx Talk, Uncover and Overcome All Unconscious Biases, is now used as a training tool in leadership and professional development. Healthcare professionals, artists, and executives alike have praised its clarity and inspiration:
- “So inspirational, concise and brilliant.” – Angela Dixon, Chief Diversity Officer, Berkshire Bank
- “This TED Talk could dramatically improve patient care.” – Liza Parab, Clinical Research Coordinator, MGH
- “Sara’s poem is a profound beacon of relevance in a world marred by division and unrest.” – Dr. Patty Klibansky, Director of Theater, Dance, and Arts
The World Unity Landmark
Ting’s vision extends beyond poetry and music. She is working tirelessly to build the World Unity Landmark in Boston’s Dorchester Bay City Development—a permanent structure that will project the Sun Poem as a daily reminder to all who see it.
“The truth is that first and foremost we are all human beings, deserving of respect and dignity,” Ting says. “Grounded in our humanity, we have the capacity to embrace differences. That is the foundation of liberty and justice for all.”
Arts as a Catalyst for Change
For Ting, poetry, music, and the arts are not luxuries—they are vital instruments in breaking barriers. “They speak to the heart and mind, where hurt, pain, hate, and fear live. The arts heal, empower, and inspire,” she explains. Citing Einstein, she adds: “You cannot solve a problem with the same consciousness that created it. You must stand on higher ground.” The Sun Poem, she believes, lifts us to that higher ground.
Facing Challenges with Faith
Ting does not shy away from the difficulties. Funding, bureaucracy, and competing agendas have posed significant barriers. Yet she continues, fueled by her faith and conviction: “With God all things are possible. Where there is no way, God will make the way.”
Her resilience was tested further when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. But even that did not stop her mission. “I knew my job was not done yet. The World Unity Landmark needs to be built. Children are depending on us.”
Lessons for Leaders and Readers
From her books and talks, Ting emphasizes the power of self-awareness, faith, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, and open-mindedness. She urges leaders to build inclusive cultures where people can be 100% themselves and to model inclusion in every conversation.
Her advice to young professionals: “Be okay with being uncomfortable. Develop self-awareness. Build a team of people who think differently than you. Be an excellent listener. And if you are a leader, have a vision and articulate it clearly.”
A Call to Action
The Sun Poem has already touched countless lives, from children singing We All See the Stars to professionals discovering new awareness through her TEDx Talk. But Ting reminds us that the work is far from done.
“How can an individual truly experience freedom if they are experiencing discrimination? The heart of liberty and freedom is equality. The children are depending on us.”
Pull-Quotes for Feature Layout:
- “Are you greater than the sun that shines on everyone?”
- “Children are the end users. They have no political agenda.”
- “The truth is, laws and policies cannot eliminate unconscious bias. Change must come from within.”
- “The heart of liberty and freedom is equality.”