What waits at the end?
Ubuntu. A simple little word.
Ubuntu. I am because you are.
Simple. A simple little word. Very simple.
Try to live it or learn it… You can’t.
It just is. Like breathing. No thinking. Just doing. Like breathing.
It’s looking at your hands and seeing the blood. The blood of others bombing. And flying. And killing. In your name.
It’s walking in the rain and feeling the tears running. The tears of others suffering. And dying.
It’s looking back and seeing the madness. The history of death and destruction. The hatred that fills our past.
It’s having a hole in your soul while living. The hole left by others you couldn’t get to. Those left behind.
It’s taking that last bite and wondering what are they eating. Those who walk this earth with hunger and pain.
It’s closing your eyes and seeing the pictures of children running with guns in their hands. Children losing innocence before their time.
It’s staring out the window and wondering what they are doing today. Those without a home or a roof.
It’s looking at your loved ones and wondering where they are today. Those who are running for their lives.
It’s lying on your bed and feeling them dying next to you. Those who are sick of diseases we can fight but they can’t. Lying on their make-shift deathbeds.
It’s drinking your coffee and wondering about the hands. The hands of the farmer who worked the field and break his back for scraps.
It’s standing at the cliff looking down and wanting to jump. Because you just can’t take it anymore.
It’s looking at my kids and worry about what lies ahead. And what we leave behind.
It’s looking at the women in Africa and across the world. And seeing the men breaking their bodies and their bones. And the scars we see and the scars we don’t want to see.
It’s staring at the sun not knowing where to go. Too many people and too many places. Too much to face.
It’s getting dressed and staring at the seams. Thinking of the hands who made them and the sweat that goes with that.
It’s standing still and looking around. And seeing my friends being hated. And bigotry smothering us. Lies engulf us.
It’s shouting at heaven and asking why. Why can’t the others shout in peace. Why do they need to die. Alone.
It’s looking in the mirror and seeing the fear. The fear for others because you can’t get there fast enough.
Ubuntu. It’s like breathing. It just is. You just do. Believe. Fight. And…
It’s looking at your hands and seeing lines that connect. The lines that connect us all. That makes us one. That makes us. In our name.
It’s walking in the rain and feeling the tears running. The tears of seeing others holding hands. And loving.
It’s looking back and seeing the braveness. The history of defying the odds and of sacrifice. And people making the change for the good to happen.
It’s having a hole in your soul while living. The hole slowly filled by others who love you for who you are. And holding your hand. As we reach for those left behind.
It’s taking that last bite and knowing how beautiful it tastes. These fruits given to us by those we can’t see.
It’s closing your eyes and seeing the pictures of children running with a smile on their face. Children being children no matter where they are. Or what they have.
It’s staring out the window and wondering what they are doing today. And know they have love in their hearts and a pride in their soul.
It’s looking at your loved ones and know how lucky you are. For those who love you for who you are.
It’s lying on your bed and feeling them lying next to you. Those who love you and hold you at night. Lying next to you because you share a love.
It’s drinking your coffee and wondering about the hands. The hands of the farmer who worked the field and loved his land.
It’s standing at the cliff looking down and wanting to shout. Shout to the world you love them. Because of the beauty that lies before you.
It’s looking at my kids and and seeing them grow and love. And know hope lies in their hands.
It’s looking at the women in Africa and across the world. And hearing them laughing in the streets and the markets. And knowing the strength in their bones and in their blood. Carrying the world on their backs with a smile.
It’s staring at the sun and feeling it shine on your face. So many beautiful people and beautiful places. Tomorrow is another day. We fight on.
It’s getting dressed and staring at the seams. Thinking of the hands who made them and how warm they feel when you hold them tight.
It’s standing still and looking around. And seeing my friends finding love. And how we will embrace this world with hope.
It’s looking at heaven and saying thank you. Thank you for making me like this. Making me one of us.
It’s looking in the mirror and seeing the faces. The faces of others smiling at me because they know I am. There. With them. Because I am them.
Ubuntu…
So simple.
I am because you are.
It’s like breathing. I am because you are. I am. Because you are.
Let’s breathe. Let’s be. Let it be.
Just breathe and hold...
____________________
The world is a puzzling place. The answers aren’t that easy to get. And the questions don’t get any easier. But it doesn’t mean we can’t keep on looking and asking. Sometimes I look in the mirror and stare at myself and this little world of ours. And then I write. You can find more of these thoughts at a page I created that captures links to all of these stories in one place. Go to the ”What Are We Doing?” page for these stories. No, it won’t bring you back to this post – it is a seperate page.
September 3, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Please allow me to add;
Even though you’re tired and have told yourself countless times “I’m done, I won’t/can’t do anymore” – and doing the good and right thing again and again anyway.
Great post.
September 3, 2008 at 10:41 pm
AA: Wow, I really am overwhelmed and humbled to know you. No. Seriously. I am. You speak my soul, and I am honored to read this…..
September 3, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Oneness?
September 4, 2008 at 12:15 am
Wow no wait WOW that was incredible, seriously. Each line read built momentum and pace with the perfect ending punch line “Let’s breathe. Let’s be. Let it be.” absolutely incredible AA honest. I am because you are and together we can all change the world for it is within our hands to do so. Ubuntu.
September 4, 2008 at 1:28 am
If it were only so.
September 4, 2008 at 4:25 am
Just an incredible post.
September 4, 2008 at 7:57 am
Not to spoil the mood, but I was excited to see what you had to say about the Linux distribution.
September 4, 2008 at 8:11 am
Beautiful, truly beautiful. We are humanity. We are in this together.
September 4, 2008 at 9:47 am
That is beautiful, thank you.
September 4, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Interesting way to look at it…
September 4, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Ubuntu=>Somthing like referring to one’s people?
I am not sure if that is correct, but i first came across the word in one of Madiba’s autobiography.
But great post.
September 4, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Breathe in, ah!
September 5, 2008 at 8:22 am
Waouh..! Stunning post – takes my breath away – Chapeau (i.e I take my hat off to you) ..:)
September 5, 2008 at 1:08 pm
So incredible. So well written. I’m awed, pained, weeping, and joyous at once. Thank you thank you.
September 5, 2008 at 2:50 pm
AA. This is absolutely incredible. The agony and estacy of life; all of life; the inhailing and exhailing; breathing . . . simple . . . . Ubuntu. You have the spirit of Ubuntu. It is in your bones, in your flesh, in your breath. I read here often silently, because most of your words are so truthful and profound that I would have nothing to add or take away from them. But do know that I find all of your writings to be the utmost in the spirit of Ubuntu. Peace, Light and Love to you and yours. . . Cordieb.
September 5, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Thank you for these words. I wish everyone would read this and live in this spirit. You have much to teach the world. I am grateful Sherry directed me here.
September 5, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Gasping.
September 5, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Can I borrow part of that for a song please?
September 8, 2008 at 3:49 am
[...] Ubuntu (or It’s like breathing) Posted in September 7th, 2008 by admin0 in Current Affairs - By Angry African – http://angryafrican.net http://angryafrican.net/2008/09/03/ubuntu-or-its-like-breathing/ [...]
September 8, 2008 at 11:20 am
Yes, this is THAT René…I like this…I understand…It really makes me tired though? I find it increasingly hard to keep on looking and not come up with any answers…and even more so when trying to accept that some problems never will be fully resolved…I guess I’ll just keep breathing
September 12, 2008 at 3:37 pm
@uglyblackjohn – Yes! Never give up.
@Vanessaleighsblog – Thank you so much for the kind words. And right back at you – It’s an honor to know you.
@Toaf – Yep. No me without you.
@SanityFound – Yes. It is in us. We just don’t always know it.
@cooper – But it is worth fighting for?
@Hayden Tompkins – Thank you so much. It does take a bit out of me though!
@Justin D-Z – Haha! Mark is from South Africa though. And he studied at my old university. Must say though, he does have more dough than me!
@Lindsey – We are in it together. So true.
@Sahlah – Thank you! And thank you for reading it.
@Amber – It’s an angle. I think Ubuntu shows itself differently to all of us. The meaning stays the same. But we live it differently.
@Dr. Ethiopia – Yes, but “my people” meaning humanity to all. A stranger is treated like family.
@Coffeewallah – Breathe it in…
@India J – Those stoires and photo’s of yours des the same to me!
@Sherry – That’s Ubuntu. All these emotions driven by love. Even the frustrations and sadness.
@cordieb – Thank you so much. And I see it in your posts as well. The love and life.
@Jan – Thank you so much. I don’t see myself as a teacher though! I do think we all have Ubuntu in us. It’s just a matter of standing still and everything looking around us. And in the mirror.
@Missy – Thank you. Thank you…
@Chuck West – Sure. (Can I have some dough of it becomes a hit?)
@54beats – Thanks guys. And good luck.
@René – Well, hello there! Thank you! It does make one tired. But as uglyblackjohn says, never give up. We won’t solve it. But we can maybe make it a little bit better.
September 30, 2008 at 9:36 pm
[...] http://angryafrican.net/2008/09/03/ubuntu-or-its-like-breathing/ [...]
October 2, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I can only wish that everyone understood this………………
October 4, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Ubuntu is world humanity from the African bantu speaking language.
UBUNTU——- Humanity
BANTU ——- People
Thank you angryAfrican but anger is not part of our culture.
October 5, 2008 at 1:38 am
[...] without checking with us first or us telling her to do so. Love and caring should come naturally. Ubuntu - It’s like breathing… [...]
October 6, 2008 at 5:49 am
Just let out a very long breath. I wonder at the enormity of human compassion you managed to capture here. This should be required reading.
Surface Earth
October 6, 2008 at 11:54 am
VIVA!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks bru!! You said it!!!
October 8, 2008 at 12:47 am
I am because you are and this tells it just right. I am because there are people like you out there – thank you for this! Absolutely wonderful!
October 8, 2008 at 6:38 am
@skuttlefish – Yeah. Me to. Wish I always felt like this…
@Musasizi – Actually, there is not definition of Ubuntu. The closest is “I am because you are”. And we do get angry. But we express our anger differently. We get angry at injustice. At discrimination. At hunger. Etc. But what we do with our anger is direct it to loving and caring for those who suffer. Anger is not a bad thing, only when you turn it into hate is it bad. I don’t think we don’t agree. It’s just emphasis and semantics I think.
@Surface Earth – Thank you so much for that. Caring is easier than we think. If only we took a little bit more time. That is a huge compliment.
@Ron – Yeah! Viva! Long Live Ubuntu! Haven’t heard “Bru” and “Viva” in one sentence for a long time. No wonder I miss home. People like you make the world go round bru.
@lottakullman – Thank you. And I am because there are people like you out there. We have never met, but Ubuntu is the connection. Don’t need a face or a voice to go with that. I thank you for that.
October 8, 2008 at 1:21 pm
[...] I feel like I don’t get surprised very often. However, when it comes to this bearer of Ubuntu, I have to say, I was [...]
October 30, 2008 at 10:04 am
http://sahlah.livejournal.com/302975.html
Thank you.
November 5, 2008 at 2:32 pm
You write beautifully.
I didn’t know that’s what Ubuntu means.
Thank you.