The Olympics have always been a time of reflective unity, as the Games bring together so many people and nations across the world. Even the commercials playing during the athletic events often highlight this theme. No ad showcases this better than the Olympic iPhone commercial which features a poem by Maya Angelou about how, though we are different, we are all alike. A transcript of the Apple iPhone Olympic commercial poem will remind you that you need to go re-read Angelou's writing immediately, it's just that good.
The words of the poem echo the belief that we may not be the same, we may be from Rio or America, swimmers or gymnasts, Olympic commentators or simply viewers at home, but, at our core, we are all human beings and we should stand by one another, even when competing against each other. In the ad, Angelou reads her poem "Human Family" while images shot on the iPhone across the world are shown.
It's quite a moving commercial, and, though it's trying to sell us something, it's also reminding us for free of the importance of unity among all individuals thanks to Angelou's wise words. The ad doesn't use the entirety of her poem, so you can listen to their edited version in the ad below and read the full version underneath the video.
I note the obvious differencesin the human family.Some of us are serious,some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are livedas true profundity,and others claim they really livethe real reality.
The variety of our skin tonescan confuse, bemuse, delight,brown and pink and beige and purple,tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seasand stopped in every land,I've seen the wonders of the worldnot yet one common man.
I know ten thousand womencalled Jane and Mary Jane,but I've not seen any twowho really were the same.
Mirror twins are differentalthough their features jibe,and lovers think quite different thoughtswhile 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 differencesbetween 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.
We are more alike, my friends,than we are unalike.
Absolutely beautiful.
