Ubuntu

"Ubuntu is not about 'me' or 'you,' but about 'us.' Ubuntu is not about being one above the other; it's about being one with the other." - Unknown

"A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished when others are tortured or oppressed." - Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

This week I learned of the African term Ubuntu and feel it applies beautifully to “Diversity.” 

A few years ago, I was grateful for three brothers who assisted in building the Gardens of Hope. Our church sponsored these brothers, one sister, another brother and their parents, who had recently arrived on Prince Edward Island from a refugee camp in Tanzania. Originally from Burundi, they were filled with infectious joy and enthusiasm to be in Canada. They were very grateful for the opportunity to rebuild their lives after spending more than ten years in the camp. It was such a delight to work with these young men, witnessing their excitement and determination to create a better future in their new country.

Ubuntu has gained recognition globally as a robust ethical framework that can contribute to promoting understanding, reconciliation, and peace-building. It has been invoked in various contexts, including post-apartheid South Africa, to emphasize the importance of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African leader, popularized the concept of Ubuntu by stating, "A person is a person through other persons."

Ubuntu embodies the philosophy of interconnectedness, empathy, and recognizing every individual's inherent worth and dignity. It promotes a holistic approach to life and relationships, emphasizing the importance of communal harmony, compassion, and social justice.

The quote at the top of the page by Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaks to Ubuntu, a philosophy emphasizing interconnectedness and community. It applies to the world and workplace by promoting openness, affirmation, and lack of threat toward others. A person with Ubuntu understands their place in society, valuing the well-being of others and recognizing their impact. In the workplace, Ubuntu encourages respect and support, where individuals feel valued and their abilities acknowledged. It emphasizes self-assurance and belonging, fostering confidence based on knowing one's contributions matter. Moreover, Ubuntu opposes the humiliation and oppression of others, promoting justice and equality. This quote highlights the importance of community, respect, and opposing injustice in the broader world and the workplace.

Let's all walk with Ubuntu this week.