Ubuntu!!

Ubuntu is an Afrikan concept (mostly in Southern Afrika) that, in essence, says that “I am because we are.” This is the ultimate statement of collective strivings. Actually, this concept actually survived with our Ancestors here in the Americas. One of the ways the AUSA community survived and thrived, despite the rabid racism, race massacres, lynching, sundown towns, redlining and American apartheid (segregation) was the communalism and collective and cooperative efforts of everyone in the community. It was not a perfect utopia but the inherent Afrikan principles were lifesaving.

Unfortunately, that collectivism seems to be disappearing with each generation. This disappearing act seemed to accelerate after integration of the schools. This was when our parents and grandparents confronted the white power structure to truly make separate, equal. They wanted to end forced segregation and to make public schools and tax-supported institutions available to all people equally. They sued and sacrificed to achieve these goals, but were given integration instead. So, they were forced to send our children to be educated by people who demonstrated daily that they were our enemies. We were conditioned to see this integration as a victory even though we willingly gave up all the institutions that helped us to survive the atrocities heaped upon us. The grass seemed greener and the ice colder on the other side. We are seeing, with each successive generation, the result of the education our enemies provided.

Too many of us, and especially our youth, have adopted the false narrative of individualism. We are all given the mirage of the merits of individualism when there exists the unity of white narcissistic pseudo-supremacy. The mantra of, “I’m gonna get mine” seems to be the order of the day. However, in fact many of our youth are seeking communalism. Gangs would not be so successful if the community, and indeed, the family was more inclusive.

Popular media, especially films have, for generations, extolled the loner hero who, although flawed and a “bad boy” got things done by working against the grain. This was attractive but grossly false. The majority of non-Afrikan people from Europe still believe in the basic tenets of what is called white supremacy. They just differ in the methods. Admittedly, this is subconscious in some of them who may actually consciously be striving to become ‘allies’ but is real, nonetheless.

We all need to re-institute ubuntu in our communities. We need to work together. Individualism is a phantom that has been sold to us as real. The people who sold it to us have never truly believed in it. Rugged individualism has not worked for us and has actually hurt us.

Ubuntu!!

Food for thought.