We're Number One!

I used to like to play sports in high school-I think I’ve mentioned that our Field Hockey team didn’t score a single goal – I mean in the entire season. Running down the basketball court made me feel as if I was flying- and singing on the bus and stopping at McDonald’s after a game was a treat beyond words. For me it was never about the competition – it never seemed to matter to me if we won or lost-as long as we were together and a mom showed up with orange slices after the match.

But competition starts at a very young age and carries through life. Who wins - who loses. Neighboring towns used to be seen as opponents rather than friends with comradery and collaboration never cultivated. We grew up seeing peers from nearby towns as our adversaries – and often judged them based on the success of their basketball team. It was all about winning-all about being the best- ‘we’re the Whalers, we’re the best, better than all the rest’. Athletes, even on the high school level, were revered, while other talented students were often grouped into the ‘other’ category. There was the Presidential Fitness Test, NYSMA scores, Honor Society even the most beautiful baby photo contest. The gymnasium was filled with championship banners and retired jersey numbers. Did we always need to try our best to be the best? Why not good enough? Where are the banners for kindness, generosity, community service?

I know that there is said to be many positive aspects of healthy competition – spurring us on, making us work harder to gain success, encouraging us to be the best that we can be. I imagine a tennis match might not be as much fun if no one was keeping score. It’s nice to be proud of our skills, yet I see procured success and the desire to be number one-bleed into our world with unwavering nationalism and our need to be top dog. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the greatest country in the world gained that status by the way it treated its elderly, or hungry or disabled? Wouldn’t the greatest country in the world be judged on the way it cared for its natural resources-planting trees, cleaning rivers, enhancing parkland? Wouldn’t the greatest country in the world be the most peaceful and the country with the least violent crime? Wouldn’t the greatest country in the world be the one with the most medical advances, the most creative and life-giving educational system, the most welcoming and kind and generous? That is what I would like to feel when our flag is flown -that is what I would see as a GREAT country.

I have loved learning about the Bantu African principle of Ubuntu- 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. The word "Ubuntu" is derived from the Nguni word "abantu," meaning "people". It reflects a deep-seated understanding of human interconnectedness and the importance of community. Here is the story that is often related to the principle.

“An anthropologist studying the habits and customs of an African tribe found himself surrounded by children most days. So, he decided to play a little game with them. He managed to get candy from the nearest town and put it all in a decorated basket at the foot of a tree. Then he called the children and suggested they play the game. When the anthropologist said “now”, the children had to run to the tree and the first one to get there could have all the candy to him/herself. So the children all lined up waiting for the signal. When the anthropologist said “now”, all of the children took each other by the hand and ran together towards the tree. They all arrived at the same time divided up the candy, sat down and began to happily munch away. The anthropologist went over to them and asked why they had all run together when any one of them could have had the candy all to themselves. The children responded: “ Ubuntu. How could any one of us be happy if all the others were sad?” I am what I am because of who we all are.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to all join hands around the globe and share and protect the treasures of this beautiful planet together as one family? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to work in conjunction with our neighbors and not see them as adversaries?

When asking AI what world peace might look like this is the response- World peace, in its ideal form, is a world without violence, where nations cooperate and prioritize the well-being of all people. This includes equal human rights, access to technology and education, advancements in medicine and engineering, and a general absence of conflict. It's a world where cooperation, respect, and understanding between races, nations, and religions are the norm.

I’m wondering….maybe it all starts in Elementary School.