'UBUNTU': A PERSON IS A PERSON THROUGH OTHER PERSONS

1 P a g e | 1 HUMAN BEING ~ U B U N T U ~ A PERSON is a PERSON THROUGH OTHER PERSONS Master s Degree: Written Thesis and Documentary Dorothy R. Jolley Southern Utah University Spring 2011 P a g e | 2 Abstract This discussion presents human communication, locally and globally, in relation to theory and experience. Thus questions arise such as, why does violence and conflict reign in society when social media allows efficient communication? It is also evident that expensive ongoing research of theory has not assisted human communication and statistics do show a decline in human communication.

2 Thus, the question of how much human communication theory is available and applied to the regular man? Clearly the questions of where, when, and who, teaches human communication in society to improve relationships? Furthermore, the ideas of past and present researchers, and a contribution of personal experience of 39 years in apartheid, on board a ship for 25000 miles with 50 different cultures, living in France for 18 months, and traveling independently around the world, found individuals in these societies lacking in human communication.

3 Therefore, a solution to the dilemma is an exotic African philosophy called "Ubuntu," or in OTHER words, to be humane. Ubuntu embellishes cultural beliefs and values and is the essence of being human. It comes in many guises in many cultures. Initially Ubuntu created in African villages to knit together humans with respect and love, and effectively strengthened human intrapersonal communication and communication with others, including family and community, and thus, strengthened town and country. Although present atrocities evident by the absence of Ubuntu communication are prevalent in Africa and significantly obvious throughout the world, attention is imperative and necessary to be humane to one another to prevent this decline.

4 Therefore, to teach Ubuntu or humaneness could begin with lower and higher education, organizations, and businesses. Further, to teach Ubuntu in a religious environment, in families, in communities, and marriage counseling is and has been effective. Thus, Ubuntu seeps into society, to gain a foothold and assist individuals, families, and communities, leaders, and managers to increase respect and dignity in communities. Finally, humans could practice Ubuntu communication using social media and theory to create worthwhile local and foreign relationships.

5 Keywords: Ubuntu, humane, humanity, communication, theory , education P a g e | 3 I N D E X PAGE NO. 1. ABSTRACT.. 2 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.. 5 3. WRITTEN THESIS - 'Ubuntu': A PERSON is a PERSON THROUGH OTHER PERSONS .. 6 4. OUTLINE.. 5. SCRIPT - Documentary.. 6. COPYRIGHT PERMISSIONS.. 7. DVD - 'Ubuntu' video envelope insert in the back of the written thesis P a g e | 4 'Ubuntu': A PERSON is a PERSON THROUGH OTHER PERSONS Written MA Thesis by Dorothy Jolley Southern Utah University December, 2010 P a g e | 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.

6 LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction.. 6 Chapter 1: Ubuntu review .. 11 Chapter 2: Ubuntu concepts .. 19 Chapter 3: An experience with Ubuntu in South Africa .. 26 Chapter 4: Communication theory review .. 29 Chapter 5: Symbolic Interaction theory (SIT) .. 34 Chapter 6: Cognitive Dissonance theory (CDT) .. 39 Chapter 7: Social Exchange theory (SET) .. 43 Chapter 8: Intercultural Communications: Humanity, culture and values .. 50 Chapter 9: A Gift from Africa .. 55 Chapter 10: Interculture and Ubuntu (Tables 1-11).

7 62 Chapter 11: An Intercultural Approach to Ubuntu .. 79 Conclusion .. 84 Bibliography .. 91 P a g e | 6 INTRODUCTION The central point of human communications in all cultures is found in an ancient African philosophy called Ubuntu. Ubuntu exhibits, throughout this paper, to promote humanism on a national and global scale. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ubuntu is a belief that "a PERSON is a PERSON THROUGH OTHER PERSONS , that my humanity is caught up, bound up, inextricably, with yours. When I dehumanize you, I inexorably dehumanize myself" (Tutu, 2008).

8 Thus, we realize to be Ubuntu is a powerful tool to strengthen a community, to communicate THROUGH community support, dignity, and identity achieved THROUGH mutualism, empathy, generosity, and community commitment (Tutu, 1999). Indeed, the roots of this philosophy came from the ancient African village, where centuries of tribes lived in harmony together to knit individuals, partners, villages, and communities for the benefit of the society. Thus, Ubuntu has strongly produced communities and corporations where humans behave with respect toward one another, to bind and link them together to result in a better community nationally and hence, given time, a better globe.

9 Further, we learn that humans need Ubuntu because it is a significant part of human existence. Consequently, the benefits of humane communication are harmony and peace. Additionally, all cultures have a form of Ubuntu that establish laws, beliefs, and values among its people to maintain humane treatment. Unfortunately, the United Nations, have to remind leaders around the world to be more humane, , South Africa sanctioned by OTHER countries during the apartheid counteracted the inhumane treatment of its Black people.

10 As a result, Ubuntu robbed of its ability, during the apartheid period deprives essential human communication. In a similar manner, industrialization and urbanization depletes Ubuntu, disregards human desires, and rolls forth trampling the sensitivities of human beings. Why a look at Ubuntu? Since there is a dire ongoing need for humans to communicate more effectively, on all levels of humanity, and with all of its communication theories in many disciplines, a solution is not readily available. Hence, a suggestion is to apply theories under the Ubuntu umbrella to link theories of communication allowing an initial respect, patience, understanding, and accommodation for all humans by the OTHER , and by acknowledging their differences in culture and as individuals.