Dad in tears watching his kids’ school Parade of Nations—and it’s easy to see why
I’m a crier. Always have been, probably always will be. School events? Forget about it. My teenagers roll their eyes now when they spot me dabbing at my eyes during chorus concerts or sports matches. “Mom, seriously?” they’ll groan, but I catch the slight smiles they try to hide.
So when I saw the viral TikTok of a dad getting choked up about his children’s school’s Parade of Nations, I wasn’t just crying—I was full-on sobbing. With over 400,000 views and counting, it’s clear I’m not the only one moved by this moment.
The video shows 200 students representing 42 different countries, each beaming with pride as they walked with their flags and traditional dress. The dad’s voice cracks with emotion as he describes the scene: the spring in their steps, the crowd’s enthusiastic cheering, the pure joy radiating from every child’s face.
It hit especially close to home for me. Here in Vermont—yes, statistically one of the whitest states in the nation—my biracial children attend what happens to be our state’s most diverse school district. While our state’s demographics might paint one picture, our community tells a far richer story.
In my son’s junior year program alone, a class of about 20 students spoke 15 different languages at home. His classmates came from places like Nigeria, Bosnia, Somalia, Senegal, Sudan, and the Philippines. They’d share traditional foods during lunch and swap stories about their families’ journeys. But mostly? They’re just teenagers being teenagers—obsessing over sneakers, making TikToks, talking about cars and makeup, and navigating the universal complexities of high school life.
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Watching these students from Michigan parade their heritage with such confidence and joy, I couldn’t help but think about recent headlines. As efforts to dismantle diversity initiatives continue and discussions around immigration grow more polarized, these children remind us of what we stand to lose if we let fear overshadow our nation’s greatest strength: our diversity.
The research is clear on this. Studies consistently show that diverse teams aren’t just feel-good ideas—they actually perform better. A Harvard Business Review study of 1,700 companies across eight countries found that businesses with above-average diversity in leadership—across factors like gender, nationality, and industry experience—generated 19% more revenue from innovation and saw higher overall profitability. In other words? Bringing different perspectives to the table doesn’t just shape culture—it drives creativity, fresh ideas, and, ultimately, better outcomes.
But beyond the data and statistics, there’s something more fundamental at stake. When I watch my kids and their friends together—whether they’re cramming for exams or choosing a playlist for the drive to practice—I see what’s possible when we create spaces that celebrate our differences while acknowledging our shared humanity.
One of the TikTok comments that resonated most deeply with me was from @Noel Mistletoe: “This is what the USA is supposed to look like. We all fam in the club.” Another viewer, @elle..breezy, noted, “This is what makes America great.” @Tiktoktokyo captured it perfectly when they wrote, “This is amazing. Those children will remember this forever. They were ALL seen on that day.” They’re right. This is exactly what makes us great—not the attempt to erase our differences, but the choice to celebrate them.
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Children aren’t born with hate in their hearts. They’re born with curiosity and compassion, with wonder and empathy. Every time I see my kids’ friends gathered in our kitchen, speaking a beautiful mix of languages while sharing snacks and stories, I’m reminded that this is how it should be. This is how it can be.
When I watch that dad’s video again (and again, because let’s be honest, I can’t stop), I see more than just a school celebration. I see hope. I see the America that lives in our children’s hearts—one where a Parade of Nations isn’t just an annual event but a daily celebration of who we are as a country.
And yes, I’m still crying. Because sometimes tears are the only appropriate response to witnessing something so beautifully, perfectly right.
As @Word warrior, a former DC school teacher, shared: “Maybe, just maybe, we could see the world through their eyes, rather than our own. We’d have more compassion and handle situations in a more empathetic way.”
Maybe indeed. And maybe that’s exactly where we need to start.
