Ubuntu: A Compassionate Mindset
My first exposure to the ubuntu was through email. In the summer of 2016 I worked at a therapeutic summer camp called Wediko Summer Program. Before I arrived at the New Hampshire campus in late June, I received a slew of emails from the program and ubuntu was placed conspicuously in many of them. During the program itself, ubuntu was a reoccuring theme - one of the constants of my Wediko experience. Although I used the word multiple times on a daily basis, I remained ignorant of its rich origin.
The story of ubuntu can be traced back to ancient Africa. Various translations for the word exist and the word seems to warrant multiple conceptualizations. Some of my favorites are “human kindness,” “humanity to others,” and “I am because you are.” It’s a complex word which, at its heart, refers to the inextricable connections that exist between all humans. Ubuntu appreciates the interdependence of humans. Interestingly, it seems to be the case that the meaning of ubuntu shifted based on the time periods in which the word was used. For example, in recent history, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu used the word to reflect a common humanity which was the foundation of his actions in his non-violent anti-Apartheid role. Tutu himself describes ubuntu as the “essence of being human. A person is a person through other persons.” Ubuntu necessitates togetherness because flourishing is dependent on others. No one can succeed alone under the philosophy of Ubuntu – it’s not success if someone is left out. Unfortunately, the spirit of ubuntu is hard to render in a Western language.
It is no coincidence that some of the most influential advocates for social change have embodied the term, using it as the foundation for their movements. Obama used this word to describe Nelson Mandela’s commitment to human rights at Mandela’s memorial in December of 2013, saying, "There is a word in South Africa – ubuntu – a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.” The quality of ubuntu can easily be extended to describe the motivations of some of the most cherished advocates of human rights who have inspired so many of us.
The wonderful term of ubuntu was an essential component of the work I did over the summer. Actions would be labeled as being ubuntu or not. This labeling had a powerful impact on the campers’ understanding of problem behaviors. What I like about ubuntu, in the context of antisocial behavior, is that the focus is taken away from the individual and placed on the larger group. Ubuntu encouraged camper's to see that their actions were important because of how they related to the well-being of the larger group. According to this philosophy, it was up to them to choose the actions that would communicate to to their peers that they were valuable. I found that the concept is accurate and provided a more meaningful reason for the kids to do the hard work needed to engage in healthier behaviors.
Language has so much to do with our perception of the world. Because of that reality, adding an uplifting word to our vocabulary changes the way we experience our relationships with others. While the word is uplifting, it also gives listeners immense responsibility. Happiness is no longer an individual endeavor under the philosophy of ubuntu; instead, it becomes a community endeavor.
Alexander Williams, Class of 2017
