Hello friends,
It seems as though this past week was a tough one for our lovely blog. Only 33 comments! Interestingly enough, most of our Rome travelers were able to post before they left for the Eternal City, but many of us remaining here in good old Cleveland did not post. So, I'm offering you a one-time-only deal: a bonus article!
Here's how it will work: You can choose to read this article and comment on it. If you do, it's a "free pass." If you missed last week's blog, I will count this one as last week's. If you did last week's blog, you can comment on this one anyway and you get a free pass for any blog during the rest of the quarter that you feel like skipping. If you don't feel like commenting on this one, that's fine--just be sure not to miss any other blogs this quarter!
You know the drill--read, comment, question. Due Sunday, April 19.
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/16/the_world_according_to_ubuntu/
Peace,
Ms. Barberic
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The concept that we cannot fully live unless others are around to acknowledge and interact with us is dead on. This African belief coincides with the Catholic belief that humans are interdependent and rely on one another to survive. Another key idea that this article touches is that of "end do not justify the means." The parallel between these African customs and Catholicism show how universal Catholic beliefs are. We are one body as humans that need to work together in order to live. I found this article to be one that supports and confirms beliefs of my own.
ReplyDeleteWhat would happen if people became less concerned with their own status and more concerned with the status of the human race? Would people be better off?
Sam S.
B Block
Ubuntu seems like a really good way to become connected with others. I really like this philosophy and way of living. Generousity and compassion are key roles in Ubuntu and I think more Americans need to learn from these Africans. Without working together nothing works out very well, so this could be a good way to learn how to actively participate in your community. These people are not self centered at all, they center their lives on their family and friends and I think that should be a more common center among people today. I think its really respectful how they say "may you stand forever" as opposed to thank you, I think its more meaningful. My question is why do we as Americans tend to be more self centered?
ReplyDeleteBritt McGuire.
Block B.
Like the article says, ubuntu should not only be seen as part of the African culture, but a way of life. I liked how they all supported each other. The wealthy sacrificed for those who are less fortunate. They are also not driven by money or their bank accounts, something that is a determining factor in our society today.Americans should learn from their examples and try to live those beliefs.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: How would the world be different if everyone was concerned with the well being of others and not just of themselves?
Julie DeLong
Block B
"I am because you are." I think this is a quote I myself will live by. This article talks about hoe people rely on eachother to get through life. The concept Ubuntu teaches is that people exist by the grace of the community. Without eachother helping us along the way we will get lost. Compassion for others is key and tAfricans know and live by this act everyday. these people care about others far more than they care about themselves. My question is why do societies in the U.S have much different concepts of living and why dont more people realize that compassion towards others will save you in the end?
ReplyDeleteMaddie Keefe B Block
I think this article makes a valid point when discussing ubuntu. To have the philosophy that we are no just one person, but rather a whole as a community is an amazing view on life. If everyone in the world had just a small reasioning from ubuntu then i think it would be a better place. This idea to put others before ourselves seems so crazy to some people, but it really is not. To think of others before ourselves is a great idea, but can people handle it?
ReplyDeleteSarah R
block C
This article reminded me of something that I was going to tell you. I watched part of The Patriot over the weekend. In the one part I watched the British gathered a whole village into their church, locked the doors, and burned it down. One of the townsmen had become a Britsh soldier, and the man in charge asked him to throw the first torch on the church. He was hesitant at first and then the man told him, "The means never matter when the end is good," so the man threw the torch and killed all his friends and neighbors inside. They obviously were wrong and injust. Anyway, let's move toward the actual topic of the article. There is a song called "People" that goes like this... people, people who need people are the luckiest people in the world. Although put in a kind of annoying way, it is true. No one can live without companionship. It is the people around us who define us.
ReplyDeleteWould we finally have peace if everyone lived by this?
Ellie W Block C
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really like this article, because it emphasizes the idea of serving others. I think that it is so important to recognize that humans cannot live alone; we do not survive without love, affection, and assistance from other people. It seems curious that so many people in the United States and other prosperous nations try to isolate themselves from their neighbors. I know many people who prefer to live their life only concerned with their own actions or only caring about their concerns, but it doesn’t have to be this way. People in Africa and other developing nations seem to have so much more of a grasp on how to live fully. They share what they have with others and are only content if other people around them are content. I think that the differences in mottos exemplify the differences in cultures: while Americans say “I think, therefore I am,” Africans say “We are, therefore I am.” Americans have so much pride in their own abilities, but Africans have faith in the community. If we were all to take this outlook on life, perhaps we would better the community and feel better ourselves. I would like to know what drives so many people to be concerned only with themselves?
ReplyDeleteAmanda DN
Block B
I found this artice to be very interesting. I do believe that in order for us humans to survive we need eachother. As it has been said before we are interdependent and cannot survive on our own. I think it is amazing how a bank account means absolutely nothing, but it is what you contribute to your community that means everything! I wish that no one's identity was shaped by an inner quest, but by how your relationship is with your community, because this would truely show who you are. My question is has it always been that way; that everyone is concerned with how much they give to or how much they interact with their community?
ReplyDeleteMaggie Berry, Block A
I loved this article! I think that is such a great way of life and we should adopt it here too. I loved how in the example conversation the person said "I slept well if you slept well.". I think it is so great and sounds so peaceful. I think if we adopted this way of life we would all be a lot happier. Also, I think it is interesting how instead of saying thank you, they said they want the other person to stand forever. It shows more meaning and caring. I don't see any downfall to the way they live. It is so positive and caring. A question I have is how long have African societies had this way of life?
ReplyDeleteAnna C Block C
I really liked reading this article. I thought it was interesting to read. I thought it was interesting because the truth is that to survive as humans, we need one another. Ubuntu is such a cool and interesting word from the African language! It is a philosophy about life but also practical guidelines to follow everyday. I believe this is a great way of life and we should practice it here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Would it be considered wrong to practice this way of life?
Jess Delgado Block A
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis article was short, sweet and to the point. I liked that it showed a whole different way of living while showcasing African culture at the same time. I love how it is customary in African culture to live so simply. I wish that our culture could be like that. I think that compassion should be mandatory and selfishness should be outlawed. It would make the USA such a better place if we all cared about our fellow brothers and sisters like the Africans care about one another. My question is why can't we learn to live like that if other countries can do it?
ReplyDeleteAlyssa D
Block C
I really liked this article. Instead of saying a lot of wise statements and then rephrasing them or explaining them, it just told us how these people live and the great values they have and let us reflect and discover their worth on our own. This is the best kind of writing-the kind that makes you think. I love the values and way of life described in the article. The morning greeting was my favorite-"How did you sleep? Well if you did." To have that mentality, of always helping others and doing everything to better others, is awesome. Compassion is such an important part of life, and sometimes I feel people aren't as kind as they should be, and they don't even care, or realize it. If we all focused on kindness and helping others like these people in Africa, our world would be such a happier, kinder place. Happiness would naturally fall into place, and materialistic values would fall away. People would be so much more in tune with themselves and others. These people in Africa are so much wiser than so many others, I think this article is a great lesson for all.
ReplyDelete~How can we spread messages like this so more people can learn? And once they know, how can we continue to bring it into our lives?
-Kathe, Block B
This article, to me, was very interesting. This article really explained the importance of being a human in African Culture. The people in Africa are determined to do everything out of generosity and believe that they do not deserve anything in return. The word ukwenana is just that. Many Africans follow that rule and live by it. They also believe that you cannot be human alone and believe that you need other people to be fully alive. They work together as a community and follow in eachothers footsteps. I believe African Culture is a good foundation for all of us to live by. My one question is Why can't we, in America,live to follow by these rules? Why is it so hard for people to follow other cultures?
ReplyDelete-Molly Donahue
Block A
I found this article most interesting. The idea that a person's wealth is based on how much they give to the community? The focus on community, togetherness, other people, not just one oneself, as it is with American culture, is a completely astounding thought that I absolutely love. The idea that one person's fortune is based completely on other people and how much the person can help others... It's a beautiful thought, and I simply love it.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't everybody realize that life is more fulfilling living for someone else, as with African culture, instead of for oneself, as with American culture?
CC F, Block B.
Ubuntu is an interesting concept. While Africa has been made, in modern days, a place of horrors, the culture itself is inherently very warm and welcoming. It is a tragedy that it is being wiped out by Westernization. Maybe if Western society ran on this concept, there would be less suffering. It seems to me to be true on the deepest level that doing good to one's fellow man would be much the same as doing good to oneself.
ReplyDeleteHow long would it take for a movement like this to take hold in America?
Erin J, Block C
This article was very interesting. i like the concept of ubuntu. It really is true, us humans really can not survive without others. i love how people are not self-cntered, they actually care about thers and support others. Ubuntu is a movement that America needs. We all need to stop and help our communtiy out more and become one. i mean we all are human we just have different qualities so why not use our talents to help one another. My question is if African cultures can live like this, why can't we?
ReplyDeleteHeather C.
Block A
To me, Ubuntu is the ideal type of living. It places value on things that really matter such as helping ones neighbor and acknowledging that human dignity is more importatnt than materials and money. God made people to be interdependent , which means we need each other, these African communities show that this is true.I beleive that we need to act as these people do such as the Ukusisa, how they use compassion. By instituting hte idea that objects and money have little to no worth , memebers of the community are more willing to give up things in benefit of others. I found it heart warming that this culture is set up this way and that it is very intersting.
ReplyDeletemy question is: If this is a typical way of living in Africa then why is there so many problems and issues that degrade human life when the basic teaching of this is that it is worthy and sacred?
Emilee P. Block B
Ubuntu is like the Christian practice of uniting as a community. As Catholics, we are supposed to come together once a week to praise God, but, as we all know, the world seems so busy. I think that if we applied ubuntu to our society, things might change; people might WANT to attend the Eucharistic celebration or go out of their way to help someone in need. This Easter I was thinking about my grandparents and the sacrifices they made and are still making and this article reemphasized that quality. I think society today should be more selfless, or less self-centered. When the article mentioned the worthlessness of money in the societies following ubuntu, I was shocked! Partially because America runs on money but mostly because American status is based on money. This article displayed the view of African life and we, as readers, are able to contrast it to the American view. Because they are so different, I think we should start doing something to narrow that gap. Where in Africa is ubuntu present?
ReplyDeleteAshley K
Block A
Ubuntu seems to be more than just a concept. The people there seem to really take pride in it, which makes it seem more like a religios practice, a way of life. The whole idea of the community as a whole is great and it really exemplifies many aspects that we have in our Catholic faith. It shows the importance of every single person and the equality everyone shares. They strive to help each other out, putting others before themselves- representing a Christ-like standard. i believe that ubuntu is present in our society, it's there for us to follow- just not everyone chooses to. How much of Africa practices the concept of ubuntu (percentage wise)?
ReplyDeleteAlexis L. Block B
At the beginning of this article, it took me a little awhile to figure out what the article was actually talking about. But, after reading it, it makes much more sense to me. I enjoyed reading learning about how a certain culture of people interact with each other and are so kind and respectful towards one another. This idea of abuntu is very interesting how people live for each day and for each other. They help others without evening worrying about helping out themselves. I think this is a good way to live by for the most part. Treat and help others the way you want to be treated and helped.
ReplyDeleteOne question i have is, is it only Africa who practices this?
hannah flanagan C
I really liked reading about ubuntu. It is a very different way of life than in America. I think it is really cool how humanity as a whole is put first. If more people acted and believed the things that they do, the world would be more peaceful and happier.
ReplyDeleteHow did the practice of ubuntu come about?
Fay Hafner
Block B
I thought that this article was very interesting and gave me a whole new outlook on humanity. I love the view that Africans have about the importance of humanity and community. It seems like their goal is to work together and grow and learn as a community, they have no exterior motives. This is so far away from what the American culture has become. I think that our culture has become too concerned with material things that we forgot the importance of relationships. This article also shows and relates well with the idea that humans are interdependent. We need each other to live and to survive.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Do you think that it would ever be possible for the United States to ever adopt this philosophy?
Bride S. Block B
I thought this article was so interesting and it really made me think about how the world works. What if the whole world used this idea of ubuntu? I think the world would be a better place if we used this. No one would expect anything from other people out of good actions so people would not feel bad if they did not get anything in return for good actions. This is so far fetched from other people's way of thinking to help others. If we all tried to help each other, the world would be a much more peaceful place.
ReplyDeleteWhere would the United States be if we used this idea of ubuntu?
Katie P. Block B
I really liked this artilce beacuse of the many points and lessons that it taught. One I enjoyed the fact that Africans believe in ukwenana. I agree that compassion is key and people in our society really need to remember this concept. Peolpe need to start doing good without expecting something in return. It will benefit everyone if they do. I also like how the Africans don't let money rule thier lives like many people in America. They support eachother and that is something we as a society should strive to do.
ReplyDeleteWhat would life really be like if we all had compassion and helped others instead of thinking about ourselves??
Katij block A
Before reading this article, I had never heard of the practice of ubuntu. I found it very interesting that the African culture views community living as an important part of life. Even though many of these people are very poor, they still put others before themselves. This is something that I believe America is lacking. We are so focused on our own personal success, we barely have time to stop and think about the needs of others.
ReplyDeleteWhen and where did ubuntu originate?
Sarah D.
Block A
This practice is new to me and a little strange because of its view of one in their society. However, i think every society should look at the African culture and take out the practice of ukwenana..."not expecting anything in return." I believe also that if everyone used the idea of ubuntu the world would be a better place to live in.
ReplyDeleteEven the fact of ubuntu seems peaceful, the idea of exsiting to the extent merely by how other people view you is strange. Has this ever been a problem in any African society? (Because isn't it more important how I view myself rather than how others view me?)
amy s block a