For Lady Gaga, kindness is the driving force behind everything she says and does. The quiet power of it can change the way we view one another, our communities, and even ourselves. She embodies this mission, and through her work, brings more kindness into our world every single day. That is why Gaga, her mother Cynthia, and incredibly talented young reporters have created an amazing and inspiring book collecting their experiences with them and how to make the world a better place.
Gaga has always believed in the importance of being yourself, being kind to yourself, and being kind to others, no matter who they are or where they come from. With that sentiment in mind, she and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, founded Born This Way Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the world a kinder and braver place. Through the years, they've collected stories of kindness, bravery, and resilience from young people all over the world, proving that kindness truly is the universal language. And now, we invite you to read these stories and follow along as each and every young author finds their voice just as Lady Gaga has found hers.
We are SO thrilled to share that #CHANNELKINDNESS is in stores TODAY! Don't miss this inspiring collection of stories from young changemakers + @LadyGaga. https://t.co/BURNyjGoSA @momgerm pic.twitter.com/h4GW2KGBzv
— Born This Way Foundation (@BTWFoundation) September 22, 2020
"Our first book is out today and it’s called CHANNEL KINDNESS: Stories of Kindness and Community. I wish I had a book like this when I was younger to help me feel acknowledged, remind me that I’m not alone, and encourage me to better support myself and others." says Gaga about the book. Now it’s here and anyone at any age will benefit from the stories inside. This book affirms what we already know to be true – kindness will heal the world."
"Each chapter represents stories from young reporters about the small and big acts of kindness that have the power to change someone’s day, launch social movements, and eliminate the stigma around mental health. We also include resources and tips for how you can show up for someone else or yourself just like the changemakers featured in our book. And I had the privilege of writing an essay for CHANNEL KINDNESS and a note to each of our reporters thanking them for their vulnerability and the important lessons they shared." she added.
Within these pages, you’ll meet young changemakers who found their inner strength, who prevailed in the face of bullies, who started their own social movements, who decided to break through the mental health stigma and share how they felt, who created safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, and who have embraced kindness with every fiber of their being by helping others without the expectation of anything in return.
Not only were we moved by these individual acts of kindness, but we were also touched by the many stories of organizations, neighborhoods, and entire communities that fully dedicated themselves to helping those in need and found new, innovative ways to make our world a kinder and braver place.
Individually and collectively, these stories prove that kindness not only saves lives but builds community. Kindness is inclusion, it is pride, it is empathy, it is compassion, it is self-respect and it is the guiding light to love. Kindness is always transformational, and its never-ending ripples result in even more kind acts that can change our lives, our communities, and our world.
In 2012, my mom and I co-founded Born This Way Foundation after meeting countless young people across the globe who shared their stories with us. Their experiences were unique, but we also found universally that young people want to feel heard, they want to change the world, and they’re leading the way in bravely sharing their truths. Eight years later, I am so proud to feature their stories in CHANNEL KINDNESS.
