Based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, "This I Believe" was originally hosted by acclaimed journalist Edward R. Murrow. Each day, Americans gathered by their radios to hear compelling essays from the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and Harry Truman as well as corporate leaders, cab drivers, scientists, and secretaries—anyone able to distill into a few minutes the guiding principles by which they lived.
Upon reviving "This I Believe" in 2004, executive producer Dan Gediman said, “The goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, the hope is to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.”
Inspired by this project, we asked our students to write about one of their beliefs. Fourth grader Ashley wrote about her belief in special talents.
I believe that everyone has a special talent. I learned it from the people around me. Some people think they don't have a special talent because it is hard for them to see it in themselves and can only see it in famous people like Martin Luther King.
It is harder for you to see this special talent. All kinds of people have talent, like hobos and orphans. I believe that even animals have a special talent that no other animal has.
I found my talent by people supporting me. My talent is playing soccer and drawing. I know what my friend Sammie's talent is. Her talent is playing tether ball.