Series of Prosperity-Ukuchama

Stand still for a moment on a busy market plain or sidewalk, remove all the filters through which you have come to view the world, and just observe the people. Your fellow beings, getting on with, well, life?

How many different types do you count? Even here, now, where you are reading this, how many people around you are exactly the same as you? No, do not be obvious now, don’t start grouping them by colour, age and gender. Look at someone who looks like you, maybe not as splendid, but similar nonetheless. I am talking about carbon copy precision! Nobody, right? Now find someone who is exactly the same as another. Exactly, mind you, not just similar. Without prejudice, it is, in fact, impossible. We are all different. Very much so. But as insecure beings we try to group ourselves with others that exhibit similar traits, whether it be interests, beliefs, religion, culture, or colour. And once we have found our tribe, we cautiously or boldly start to look at other groups and then try to guess why ours is superior, not simply different, but better, exalted if I may. And then we sadly shake our collective head at the other groups for the things we judge to be inexplicable, inadequate, or unacceptable.

OK, so I want to direct your thoughts to the best stew you’ve ever eaten. How many ingredients, different spices, and techniques were employed? Or wait, what about the best painting you have ever seen, how many colours? Even this work of mine that looks monochrome at first glance, come closer, how many different shades between the spectrum of black and white do you see?

Nothing on this earth happens without collaboration. Is variety not supposed to be the spice of life? Who wants a one-ingredient stew? Why do we fear “different” so much? Why would we be so hostile at times to variety, especially when we do not understand it? Are there no wonders to be found within it? Imagine if we were to stop pointing at each other and all point forward, together, embracing our differences as contributions rather than obstacles. How would we prosper, what wonderful symphony could it be…