Ujima In Every Day Life
The third of the seven principles is Ujima, which means To Build and Maintain Our Community Together and Make our Brother’s and Sister’s Problems Our Problems and To Solve Them Together. It is one of my favorite Kwanzaa days because it demands action from us individually and collectively.
The human body is an example of this principle in action. Let’s look at the hand. The hand has 5 fingers. Each finger independently is able to function without the other fingers. For simple tasks, this might be ok. However, more complex tasks make using just the one finger virtually impossible. Imagine lifting a 30 pound bag with one finger. You might break it, if not, it will hurt. But that same 30 lb bag being lifted with all the fingers in the hand working together is a less strenuous task. The key is WORKING TOGETHER.
Same Problems, Different Solutions
In 2016 the principle of Ujima is even more important than ever before. The levels of violence towards African Americans has dramatically increased. Some of this violence is institutional in nature. To complain that these things are happening is natural. What is not natural is doing nothing about it but complaining.
In years past, many reactions to violence or mistreatment of African Americans has been only reactionary in nature. The pattern has been simple to see:
- Attack or Mistreatment
- Complaints, protests and/or violent reaction to said attacks immediately afterwards
- Through passage of time, complaints die down
- Back to same mistreatment
While this pattern is obviously simplified, this has happened repeatedly in the African American community. At some point, one must change the response if one wants a different result.
The concept of Ujima speaks to this. Mistreatment of African Americans, physically and financially, are a result of two facts.
Boycott and Business Creation
- Such actions are often treated as isolated incidents.
- There is no coordinated response to hold those involved accountable.
We have seen a rash of shootings and arrests of African Americans by law enforcement. While there has been verbal outrage and even some disobedience regarding these matters, many times these incidents are treated “individually” and not looked at as a pattern. People “react” to the latest event instead of recognizing the pattern and negotiating ways to change that pattern.
One may ask HOW to change the pattern. In this case, working through the legal system is the first thing that needs to be done. The second, is to implement measures to prevent anyone from having the excuse to take these actions out on African Americans. A re-training of those who live in the community is necessary in order to make this work.
The next component necessary to change the equation is something rarely considered at this time. Targeted & systematic boycotts of those institutions that financial support the individuals or groups bringing harm. Boycotts let take money away from the salaries and resources of those who abuse and make the companies being boycotted aware that they must change what they are doing. Boycotts DEMAND respect. No dollars, no thriving economy.
The work does not stop there. When you create a vacuum, you must put something in its place. Companies being boycotted are serving a need. Those that live in the community can work together to fulfill that need by creating, maintaining and supporting businesses that will service those needs. These two actions, boycott and business creation can only be done through utilizing the principle of Ujima.
What’s In Your Hand?
A great leader in the African American community, Adam Clayton Powell once asked “What’s In Your Hand?”. He spoke back then, about utilizing the power of Ujima. Use it today.
Amed, Amen, Amen-Ra
