Don’t be a divisor

“Our world is not divided by race, colour, gender, or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, colour, gender, or religion” (Nelson Mandela)

In mathematics, division is a process of splitting a specific amount into equal parts. The number being divided is called the dividend, which is divided by the divisor, and the result is called the quotient. The resulting mathematical equation can be very helpful, especially when one is wanting to promote fairness. For example, at a child’s party, there are ten children present. There are twenty cupcakes in the cake tin. Using the division process, each child may thus have two cupcakes. Everyone will see this as fair, even if they are very young.

Life, unfortunately for many, is driven by selfishness — getting the biggest piece of the cake, even to the detriment of others. Fairness doesn’t prevail even though the principle was taught over and over again in kindergarten. The selfish “fools” referred to by Nelson Mandela are driven by motives that are devious and, as such, these “fools” have become “divisors”, breaking people down for self-gain. Blinded by hate, greed, and perceptions of superiority, human beings are used as pawns in their respective chess games. The dignity of the human being, no matter the background, is being eroded, and society is sinking to a debase level where attempts at survival seem to be the only option for most.

Again, and in mathematics, multiplication is a process where we find a product of two or more numbers. In other words, we end up with a solution that is larger than what we originally had at our disposal. We end up with more. True humanness always seeks the good of others. It looks at multiplying opportunities, affirming attempts, valuing differences, including even the most unlikely of souls. Politicians frequently tell us that we need to be tolerant of others. They are wrong — ‘tolerance’ means I attempt to ‘put up with’ another, or I attempt to get on with another if I must. No, we need to learn to love others, finding the best in what they can bring, believing in their ability to rise above hate, bitterness and self-centeredness. We need to learn to give freely, encourage liberally and to act with kindness. We need to learn to love again and embrace diversity.

Tolerance is not good enough to sustain and develop humankind. Support, compassion, kindness, and love are. Be a multiplier, not a divisor.

Originally published at https://www.stretchforgrowth.com on September 15, 2024.