Quest for unity, acceptance, and self-discovery
The quest for unity, acceptance, and self-discovery is a journey that every individual undertakes, but this quest takes on profound significance when seen through the prism of the African and African-American experience. The echoes of our shared heritage, coupled with the necessity to navigate a world that often undervalues our identities, shape us in unique and profound ways.
Ubuntu Minds is a non-profit organization that appreciates this reality and aims to contribute positively to the mental well-being of African and African-American individuals. Consider these wise words from the renowned Nigerian playwright and poet, Wole Soyinka: who states he is a Universalist and believes in the universality of the human person.
Soyinka’s belief in the universality of the human experience is a cornerstone of the philosophy of Ubuntu Minds, underscoring the importance of understanding the shared human experience ^(1^). The lasting effects of historical events such as the Berlin Conference of 1884^(2^), the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, colonization, and the civil rights movement have deeply affected the psyche of African people.
Kwame Nkrumah, the pioneering Ghanaian anti-colonial leader, once stated, “We face neither East nor West; we face forward,” encapsulating the spirit of resilience and forward-looking mindset that we hope to nurture in our community^(3^).
As Amos N. Wilson deposited in his seminal work, Blueprint for Black Power, “The psychology of the African is the footstool of the West’s Industrial and Economic Empire, the support of its political dominance”^(4^). This notion underscores how historical events and traumas have left indelible marks on the collective psyche of people of African descent.
In the spirit of fostering unity and acceptance, we echo the sentiment of Chinua Achebe, who stated, “People create stories create people; or rather stories create people create stories” ^(5^). At Ubuntu Minds, we believe that the stories of individuals and communities have the power to shape identities and provide a path toward healing.
We also draw inspiration from the Pan-African philosophy of Wade W. Nobles, who emphasized the need for a psychological return to African heritage as a means of fostering mental well-being among people of African descent ^(6^). His assertion that “power is the ability to define reality and to have other people respond to your definition as if it were their own” resonates with our mission at Ubuntu Minds.
Ubuntu Minds aims to create a safe space where mental health challenges faced by people of African and African-American descent are addressed with empathy, understanding, and science-backed methodologies.
In doing so, we hope to create an enabling environment that encourages self-discovery, unity, identity, and resilience. Remember, as Malcolm X said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”^(7^). Together, let’s prepare for a future that is inclusive, empathetic, and understanding. While this piece has been written based on the available knowledge and expertise, it’s recommended that readers refer to the original works for direct quotations and a more detailed understanding…..
^(1^) Soyinka, W. (1973). Myth, Literature, and the African World. Cambridge University Press.
^(2^) South African History Online. (n.d.). Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. Retrieved from https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/berlin-conference-1884-1885
^(3^) Nkrumah, K. (1961). I Speak of Freedom: A Statement of African Ideology. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.
^(4^) Wilson, A. N. (1998). Blueprint for Black Power: A Moral, Political, and Economic Imperative for the Twenty-First Century. Afrikan World InfoSystems.
^(5^) Achebe, C. (2000). Home and Exile. Oxford University Press.
^(6^) Nobles, W. W. (1986). African Psychology: Towards Its Reclamation, Re-ascension & Revitalization. Black Family Institute Publications.
^(7^) X, M., & Haley, A. (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Grove Press.