An 11-year-old London schoolgirl has been praised after giving a rousing speech denouncing prejudice and urging others not to be “afraid to be amazing”.
Faith Henry, a pupil at Clapham Manor Primary, was encouraged to write her address for a Proud to be Different march at her school, which saw pupils march from the school to Clapham Common to celebrate diversity.
Opening her speech on Friday, Faith referenced the famous Stonewall riots of 50 years ago - seen by many as the spark of the modern-day LGBTQ+ movement - before describing the inequality we still see today.
Outlining the issues, she told her young contemporaries: “Every single day someone is hurt by words that come from haters, homophobic people, racist people, sexist people, and that cuts deep. Some people aren’t proud to be who they are due to prejudice but own it, be you.
“To me equality means nobody is better or worse than anybody, everybody, everybody has the potential to be amazing.”
Then, in an uplifting call for her classmates, she ended: “Let us all unite because unity is strength.
"If one person was to judge twins there would still be a difference. So let's celebrate them.
"Let us change the world."
Faith's mum, Deirdre Hayes, told the Standard she had been "emotional" discussing her daughter's speech.
"I feel proud and very happy. I think it's lovely she came up with that. I'm really proud she has that open mind," said Ms Hayes, 41.
The mother-of-three said her daughter was usually "very good at putting her thoughts down".
Iona Mumby, a year six class teacher at Clapham Manor, said: "I was pretty emotional and amazed she had such insightful and inspiring views.
"She can see the world better than some adults."
Faith said: "I hope everyone understands what I'm saying and I hope in the future the world is more equal."
The march was held after pupils learned about diversity and the Equalities Act 2010. Last year, pupils from the school completed a women's march to celebrate 100 years since women were given the vote.
