United in Ignorance: How Our Gaps in Knowledge Make Us Stronger Together

Some in this society that we live in have taught us that we are weak if we don’t appear to be strong. I have seen people walk around and privately admit they do not have no clue what is going on, but they will put on a public persona that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. It’s okay for us to admit that we don’t know yet but we are willing to learn whatever “it” is.

If we have lived long enough, we have been in situations that we had no thorough understanding of the subject at hand. We have been led to believe that the very essence of ignorance is a bad thing in its natural state. However, we have to understand that it is not. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it is simply the lack of knowledge, understanding, or information about something. There is no human being on the face of this earth that knows everything about everything. Dr. Jack Evans, Sr. (Former President of Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Tx) used to quote a modified version of a Will Rogers’ quote. He would say, “We’re all ignorant, just at different subjects, and that is why we need each other.”

I wonder if he knew that he was teaching Ubuntu when he quoted and taught this concept? I have no problem admitting when I don’t know. I remember being in a situation where an old manager told me that I could not say certain things to users. I looked him square in the face and said, “So, you want me to lie?” He told me that he didn’t but suggested that I find a different way to say it (alternative facts). The honest truth was I didn’t know but I could find the answer. He did not want me to utter the words, “I don’t know.”

Let me ask you. Are you ready to be honest with yourself that you don’t have all of the answers to every question? Are you okay with humbling yourself to learn from everyone and everything? Are you willing to allow the Divine Creator to teach you through being in community with others?

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.

Bishop Desmond Tutu