One thing I know about my grandmother is her kind nature . She never cooked for just the family. oftentimes she adds extra cups of whatever she was cooking with the hope that someone may come around. I realized she learned from her mother, and that it was a culture among the Gbagyi people to show kindness. I read a few documentaries about the Gbagyi people, which happened to be my tribe, and most of them referred to the Gbagyi people as honest and kind people and this was because of their perception of giving. This act of kindness is also known among the Tiv tribe , which believe one shouldn't be stingy with food when someone is hungry.
There are different perceptions of kindness among various tribes, and if not for the changes that have occurred over the years, their act of kindness made the world a better place. But the world no longer uses their diversity as a tool to build a better world and show more kindness, but as a factor of differences. People perceive a certain group of people to be theirs and the others who aren't in this group as strangers. Even in the area of employment and benefits, a person would rather give to someone from the same culture even when there are others who need the benefits more.
Our diversity has only brought about tribalism and segregation in this era believed to be an information age. In the olden days, people saw themselves as one, there was no Gbagyi, no Tiv, no Igbo or Yoruba, just people who lived together and strived daily to see the affair of another. Our culture which is unique and believed to be a tool that will bring us together has actually become what separates us. Every form of employment and benefits now have a space for language, not to help understand the behavior of such individuals but to know if he or she is worthy of their kindness.
This diversity has influenced our thought pattern negatively. We no longer see people, we see ethnicity and culture. We accept certain people and reject others and this has influenced who we choose to show kindness to. If we hold strongly to the idea of culture and our differences, we may not impact the world as much as we could if we see ourselves as one. We may be different colors, different cultures, but once we understand that we are one people, only then can we impact the world with kindness and no bias.
Somehow ethnicity and tribal differences has overshadowed the ability to be kind to everyone equally which is a sad development. There are still people out there though who show kindness irrespective of all that.
#dreemerforlife
Yeah, there's always an exception in everything
The most talked about unity in diversity is becoming more theoretical than practical. What is supposed to serve as a strength is now a weakness. What is lacking is kindness. When you are kind to anybody in the spirit of humanity, there wouldn't be a reason to segregate.
#dreemerforlife
That's true, our preaching of unity in diversity has been more theoretical than practical.
Tribalism has always existed, that is why you here of tribes in the olden days that prosecuted strangers. I believe tribalism to be an ancient mentality that should have been replaced with civilisation but humans will always be humans regardless of the era.
Humans will always be humans. However, in this area of kindness, I think there was more of it (the genuine ones) in the olden days compare to this era
Thank you for sharing your post, and my apologies for being so behind with responding to it and other posts. I could never have envisioned such a level of participation, it is truly wonderful. I had never heard of the Gbagyi people, but then again I am not farmiliar with all the many different peoples. I do know that we all have more in common than not right!
"We no longer see people, we see ethnicity and culture".
This is saddening, but the very reason why this kindness collaboration is so wonderful in my eyes, the opportunity to learn and share and see we are one people.
I appreciate your post, and look forward to reading more.
I understand how difficult it is to read every singular post. The tribe Gbagyi and the other few mentioned are African tribes, Nigeria especially, and it's possible for you not to have heard about them.
Yeah, I hope the collaboration brings us to the true knowledge of kindness and why it's important
Thank you, my friend. I would like to learn more about various traditions, cultures, and tribes. I have already gained a lot of knowledge during the first few days of our collaboration and now have a much deeper appreciation for the things I have. Seeing how life can be for some people through the wonderful posts and stories has been enlightening.