Today on the third day of Kwanzaa, we light the third candle and celebrate the principle of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility). This is the principle that encourages us to build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together. Local talk radio personality, Mario Moorehead, closes his talk show everyday with the following words of encouragement:
Beloved, it doesn't matter how big a basket they give us. Always remember, one-one we can fill that basket, just as long as we do it together.
That is the spirit of Ujima! We can accomplish great things if we work together instead of against each other. The pyramids of Egypt are a lasting reminder of the power of collective work.
Too often we are selfish in our approach to life. We seek to take care of our immediate needs and do not think to assist those in the community who are most in need of help. For example, we barricade ourselves in our homes while crime continues to run rampant in our communities. The Ujima solution to crime is collective responsibility. We should first recognize that we all have a role to play, whether it is volunteering for the neighborhood crime watch, assisting in after school recreation programs, mentoring troubled teenagers, or providing a safe haven for the neighborhood children. Nothing matter how big or how small our role is, collectively we can make a significant impact.
One of the best mechanisms for exercising the principles of Ujima is participation in community-based organizations. These organizations are in fact a group of like-minded individuals working collectively to address a particular need in the community. This past year I continued my active participation with Generation Now! and the St. Croix Hiking Association. I also recently began participating in the efforts of another non-profit organization called Team St. Croix. Work with other people who share a common vision and focus has always been very fulfilling for me.
This past year I did have one major failing in the way of exercising Ujima. I failed to assist my good friend Rupert Pelle with the construction of his home. His house is about halfway finished but so far I have only made it out there on three occasions to help. I will endeavor to do better in this upcoming year. I will also continue my active participation in Generation Now!, the St. Croix Hiking Association, and Team St. Croix. I will also be lending my services to a new senator in helping him to do his part in solving the community's issues.
What about you? Have you embraced your share of the collective responsibility in the community? Are you doing your part? Or are you leaving it up to someone else to do more than their fair share? Are you lending your help to others that could benefit from your talents or are you keeping them for yourself? Do you encourage others to help you and make them feel appreciated when they do? How will you go about implementing the principles of Ujima in the upcoming year?
Please don't forget, one-one we can fill that basket, just as long as we do it together!
