Kwanzaa and the ethics of sharing: Forging our future in the new era
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Maulana Karenga
The Michigan Citizen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the heart of our celebration of Kwanzaa is the practice of pausing and turning
inward as persons and a people, and thinking deeply about the wonder and obligation of
being African in the world. In a word, we are to measure ourselves in the mirror of
the best of our history and culture and ask ourselves where we stand in relationship
to these highest of human standards. Although this dialogue with our culture is
emphasized during Kwanzaa, we know well that we are also obligated to engage in this
essential self-questioning throughout the year, and indeed throughout our lives. But
clearly, this ongoing conversation with our culture takes on a special meaning this
Kwanzaa. For this transitional period marks the end of one era and the beginning of
another. Among the changes that define this era are the new technologies, especially
those in information systems, biomedicine, and genetic modification and manipulation
in humans, plants, and animals. In such a context, we must ask: what does this
actually mean for us and the world? Further, should we consider every scientific
pursuit worthy, and every technological development progress? What do these activities
mean for our concept of human dignity, and what is the difference between more access
to data (which our computers give us) and real knowledge, critical thinking, and
grasping the essential for a good life? Equally important, what kind of world will we
leave for future generations, and how can we struggle to insure that all real advances
are a shared good? Also, this era is clearly defined by the increasing privatization
of public and natural space; the suppression of liberation movements by major powers
in the world and their client states and domestic dictators; and the widespread
exhaustion of old liberals, progressives and even many radicals. And we must ask what
this means for human freedom and human flourishing and, again how do we intervene to
ensure both. Our foremother, Mary McLeod Bethune, taught us to respect the fact that
we are heirs and custodians of a great legacy and thus we are obligated to bear the
burden and glory of this legacy with strength, dignity, and determination. Our
tradition teaches us that the best good is a shared good. Freedom, justice, love,
sisterhood, brotherhood, friendship, family, community, culture, and indeed life
itself are all shared goods. We speak here then of the creation and increase of the
common good. Indeed, the Odu Ifa, the sacred text of our Yoruba ancestors, says that
essential good comes from a gathering together in harmony. But to cultivate and
maintain this harmonious gathering together to create and increase good in the world,
an ethics of sharing is indispensable. And this sharing must be in at least seven
areas: (1) shared status; (2) shared knowledge; (3) shared space; (4) shared wealth;
(5) shared power; (6) shared interests; and (7) shared responsibility. The principle
of shared status is the foundational principle of the ethics of sharing and reaffirms
the equal dignity and inherent worthiness of every person and people. The principle of
shared knowledge speaks to the indispensable need for knowledge for human development
and human flourishing and, therefore, recognizes education as a fundamental human
right. The principle of shared space requires sharing our neighborhoods, the country
and the environment with others in an equitable and ethical way. It speaks to morally
sensitive immigration policies, urban, neighborhood and housing policies that preserve
and expand public spaces and an environmental policy that respects the integrity and
inherent value of the environment. The principle of shared wealth requires an
equitable distribution of wealth and just treatment of the worker in the interest of
the common good, and it links the right to a life in dignity with the right to a
decent life, a life in which people have the basic necessities of food, clothing,
shelter, health care, physical and economic security, and education The principle of
shared power is essentially the right of self-determination, the meaningful and
effective participation in decisions that affect and determine our destiny and daily
lives in the context of cooperative efforts toward the common good. It speaks to the
ancient Egyptian concept of politics as a shared ethical vocation to create a just and
good society and a better world. The principle of shared interests stresses the need
for common ground in the midst of our diversity, beginning with our mutual commitment
to the dignity and rights of the human person, the well being of family and community,
the integrity and value of the environment, and the reciprocal solidarity of humanity.
Finally, the principle of shared responsibility speaks to the need for our active
commitment to and responsibility for building the communities, society, and world we
want and deserve to live in. And it emphasizes the need for us to recognize both the
significance and urgency of our shared active responsibility. For as The Husia
teaches, "every day is a donation to eternity and even one hour is a contribution to
the future."
_______________________________________________
Crashlist resources: http://website.lineone.net/~resource_base
To change your options or unsubscribe go to:
http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/crashlist
