Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me

Discussion group material

Michael Battle, a theologian and a former protégé of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, explores the fascinating African concept of Ubuntu and its adaptation by Archbishop Tutu in the anti-apartheid movement. In this book, Battle delineates how he believes it can be a "gift to the West."Ubuntu is a difficult word to translate. It is a simple yet incredibly profound concept - that I am a person because I recognize others as persons, that we are all inextricably linked to one another and share a common humanity. Although it may ostensibly appear that there is some dissonance between Ubuntu and Western individualism, Battle argues that Ubuntu, which demands interdependence, paradoxically helps us express true individuality because "each individual's humanity is ideally expressed in relationship with others."So why is Ubuntu important? Battle argues that it "reorients our vision." He writes, "[w]e cannot see ourselves as primarily white people, black people, Irish people, women, men, low income, gay, conservative...we must learn to see self in the other." The paradigm of excessive narcissism, which appears pervasive in the West, is broken by Ubuntu. Ubuntu helps us see our own flaws and not merely the flaws of others. To substantiate these arguments, Battle retells Tutu's struggle against apartheid ("South Africa - black and white - can be human together and will defy tyranny only by first living together").Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend Battle's book, but I should warn readers that it does come with one caveat: strong Anglo-Christian undertones. Although I myself am an Episcopalian, I found this to be a slight distraction. Readers who want to read a more secular and academic assessment of Ubuntu should read Battle's other book,  Reconciliation: The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu .

as described

Great book. Love it. I really enjoyed reading it for my Spirituality class. I recommended this book to other social workers in my work place.

This was an interesting book that was unecessarily infused with the author's own religious viewpoint.

Very informative and interesting read. Wish more people would think like this.

It is an easy read with deep provoking self reflections

Would Thayer all had this mind set.

This book was recommended by my college lecturer for which I am thankful. It is an easy read but highlights a deep and necessary concept. He draws heavily on Desmond Tutu as his inspiration. The author talks about the advantages of Ubuntu and it's place in community without shying away from the tough questions, namely our individuality. He makes a compelling case for the practice around the globe.

Personally thought it simply too hard to read.