Ubuntu and the "Basket of Deplorables"

I don't know about you, but the recent election has sparked a great deal of introspection and consideration for me.

Initially, my reaction was nearly despairing, and resulted in almost a sense of grieving. And certainly, there is great opportunity for finger pointing, blame shifting, and circling the wagons for an even larger battle in the "Us versus Them" conflict. Something on which America seems to thrive.

Thankfully, and some part due to the comments of Bill Maher and other thoughtful Liberals, I have begun to shift my perspective.

First, I need to recognize my own role in both change and in the current reality in which we live. As Gandhi has told us, "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

It is easy for me to point an accusing finger at those that mirror to me those parts of myself I dislike - either current me or past me.

The American Ideal of "rugged individualism" has brought many benefits to us. Our history is filled with stories of mythical heroes. Paul Revere and his midnight ride. George Washington leading his troops across the Delaware. Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Susan B. Anthony and her work for women's rights. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letters from a Birmingham Jail."

Yes, there have been many individuals that have contributed to America's history and greatness. This is undeniable. But, something easily denied or overlooked - is the role of all those unseen friends and family that served the cause by their investment in and involvement with those same mythic individuals.

Since most of us look for those facts that support our own point of view, it is easy to read history as a validation of all those things we passionately believe. Similarly, believers can quote from their favorite holy book to support most any position. How else can we explain Mother Theresa and The Crusaders as both being fervent Christian believers?

So, now, back to our point…

America was founded on conflict. Our founding began in war, and war has been a hallmark of our history. Our northern neighbor, Canada, similarly a former British Colony, chose a much calmer (albeit slower) path to independence. Their separation was more like an amicable divorce than a grudge match to the death.

It is easy for me/us to honor our history of violence by the manner in which we engage those with whom we disagree. We are right. They are wrong. We are good. They are evil. We, they. Us, them.

If you are unaware of the modern history of South Africa, I recommend that you read more about apartheid, Nelson Mandela, and Desmond Tutu. I am assuming a certain knowledge of these things as I proffer my premise, below and following.

Ubuntu is as foreign a concept to many American's as are the Maasai people of southern Kenya. Modern versus ancient. Urban versus rural. Black versus white.

Ubuntu, as explained by Desmond Tutu:

"Ubuntu is very difficult to render into a Western language. It speaks of the very essence of being human. When we want to give high praise to someone we say, 'Yu, u nobunto'; 'Hey so-and-so has ubuntu.' Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, 'My humanity is inextricably bound up in yours.' We belong in a bundle of life."

Now comes the confessional part of this story.

It is often easy for me to "rage against the machine". Possibly because of my own personal experiences of feeling "other" most of my life, of suffering childhood abuse, or of knowing oppression and betrayal in a Christian Cult - I tend towards defending the underdog, the outsider, the outcasts of society. It seems to me that most of the things that have graced my life - either music, or literature, or art - have always come from those sorts of "other" people.

And yet. And yet, I must not forget everyone else. Although not my own experience, I must remember the dirt farmers who - like my Uncle Albert - lived in a tar paper shack, drove a pickup truck, and grew the corn and potatoes - the beans and soybeans that we all consume.

They are not of my world, but my world cannot exist without theirs.

Even more relevant to the recent election, there were many angry white men - either steel workers or coal miners - men whose industries built the bridges and power plants of our country - who for no real fault of their own have seen their livelihoods shipped overseas and their very way of life threatened.

They worked hard. They work hard. They chose a different life from mine. But, one I must respect if I am to drive the bridges, consume the electricity, eat the food that they have provided.

It is easy for me to protest, to fight, to write polemics in support of those who live at the margins of society - at least those marginalized by those beliefs I oppose. However, it is easy - it has been easy - for me to overlook or possibly consciously ignore those marginalized by globalization, technology and modernity.

Going forward, I must chose differently. For my voice to be heard by those with whom I disagree, I must first listen to their voice.

For my point of view to be respected, I must first give respectful consideration to their point of view - no matter how offensive to me it may seem.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. understood that the life of the black man and the white man in Alabama and Mississippi were inextricably linked.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools", he wrote.

It was true 50 years ago in America. It is true today.

Goodness, love, Ubuntu demands it.

I am, because of you: Further reading on Ubuntu | TED Blog

http://blog.ted.com/further-reading-on-ubuntu/

dg

41° Hazy
908 Vista Oaks Ln, Knoxville, TN, United States

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