Day: October 22, 2024

No man is an island, entire of itself. —John Dunne

Each of us is but a simple thread in the grand tapestry of humanity. Without the varying colors, stitches, diameter of the strings the creation is dull, simply a kind of utilitarian blanket. With the many differences we become a work of art, something stunning and precious. We need each other even when we falsely believe that we do not. 

Think of your families and the great variety in which common DNA has come together to change the colors of the eyes, the textures of the hair, the facial characteristics and fingerprints that are unique to each of us. Then consider the talents that we each bring to support the welfare of our familial group. If not for our differences we would be doomed to seeing each other as only mirrors of ourselves. Our lives would be so boring, so repetitive. 

Then consider the community in which you reside. It is obvious that we need everyone who is contributing to the efficient running of things. We require people of many talents. There is beauty in every shade of skin, every hue of the eyes. We instinctively know that variety is essential to our very survival.

Sometimes we become insular. Insisting that our city or state or nation does not need anything from outside its borders. Perhaps this made more sense in the days when travel and communication from one place to another was more difficult, but in today’s world such an idea is not just impossible, it is actually absurd. Much like the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings in Africa we are affected by happenings and issues from all over the world. A war in Ukraine threatens the safety of our allies which in turn threatens our own well being. Fighting in the Middle East has an impact on our lives even when we choose to ignore it. The cost of everything that we use is impacted by economies all over the world. We are no more an island than our nation is. Isolating ourselves does not erase the inevitable influences on our daily lives. 

My high school English teacher was a learned and well read man. He understood the need to make us more aware of the world outside of our neighborhood. He introduced us to literature, art, national magazines, a world of possibilities. Through our reading we saw the people from Africa as individuals so much like ourselves. We saw the same hopes and dreams and difficulties playing out in characters all over the world. He took us to see plays that were written over a thousand years ago by Greeks whose hearts beat for the same reasons that ours do today. We cried over the Trojan women who had lost their husbands and lovers in war as though we were learning about neighbors who had been killed. He told us that we we then and always should be citizens of the world. He understood the interlocking pieces of humanity that have always been essential to life. 

I know that the resources on our planet are limited. I understand that I must be aware of the needs of others before hoarding up stores for myself. I believe that if we do not share, if we are profligate and wasteful we will surely destroy this beautiful blue orb that we call our home. There is plenty enough to get by without being selfish or gluttonous. Thinking beyond our homes and into the community of humanity should not be considered something immoral. Instead we should always ask ourselves what more we can do for those who are struggling. 

During the pandemic we Americans were given the gift of vaccinations at no cost. Most of us did not stop to think about nations with medical deserts where refrigeration for the vaccines were unavailable but a kind doctor from my city did. Dr. Peter Hotez worried about the sick and dying in faraway places and set to work with a colleague creating an old school Covid vaccine that could be taken to the remotest areas without need of refrigeration. When he found the right formula he gave it away without cost. He made no money on the deal. It was absolutely free. For his efforts some lauded him, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace prize. Sadly others harassed and threatened him, accusing him of vile intentions. A man who should have been universally honored now has to walk with a security guard to insure that nobody will be able to follow through with the violence that they want to inflict on him. 

We would all do well to heed the poetic advice of John Dunne. None of us are or should be islands. We belong to the entirety of humankind. It is up to us to embrace our fellow humans and work together against the evil forces of want, hunger, war, and violence. If enough of us begin to fully understand our responsibility to each other the world inches closer and closer to a unified and beautiful place.