Ubuntu Babe, Ubuntu.

"Ubuntu is the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you cannot exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our inter-connectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality (ubuntu) you are known for your generosity. We think ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas we are connected and what you do affects the whole world." - Archbishop Desmund Tutu

In certain regions of South Africa, when someone does something wrong, he is taken to the centre of the village and surrounded by his tribe. For days they will speak of all the good he has done until there is no more that can be said, they believe each person is good but we do make mistakes, which is really a cry for help. They unite in this ritual to encourage the person to reconnect with his true nature. This belief that unity and affirmation have more power to change behaviour than shame. This is 'Ubuntu' - humanity towards others.

So many things over the last few months has seen the humanity start to dwindle and sway, the brutality in the USA over the many killings of black lives. The continuous threat of a communist regime in Hong Kong from China. South Africa facing some of the most extreme living conditions in the world under the COVID-19 regulations, with a vast majority of the population starving to death, all the while the government enforces a cigarette and alcohol ban and filling their coffers from the illegal sale thereof! The UK covering up one scandal after the next, to be honest, it has all gone too mad, but at the same time I'm hoping that this shift will start to change the way we are governed. It's time isn't it? To bring humanity back into the governance of the very humans it is trying to 'protect'. I use that word 'protect' very loosely because I am struggling to find a humanitarian amongst any of the leaders elected where capitalism isn't at the forefront of the government agenda. Quite frankly, after being indoors and isolated for nearly three months, my viewpoint of humanity has taken a nose dive even further. We are a horrible bunch of selfish ass holes. We are the the virus.

Despite all that, we have life, and it matters very much how we choose to live it. How we interact and the education we give ourselves around the new world that we find ourselves in. Tolerance is so important when we start to go back out into the world and re-assimilate our lives, we need to do better collectively. It's not an option anymore and I am going to challenge myself to start challenging others around their complacency to the status quo. This isn't going to go away, white privilege, male privilege, hetero privilege, able-bodied privilege, class privilege, christian privilege, CIS Gender privilege are all prevalent and real issues facing our global society. Becoming aware of our privilege shouldn't be viewed as a burden or a source of guilt, but rather, an opportunity to learn and to be responsible so that we may work toward a more just and inclusive world. Everyone lives here, we all matter. Check your privilege and do better, then help others to do the same.

Bussi Babe xx