I am because you are

In the contemporary world, commonality, fraternity, solidarity and oneness, are almost seen as anomalies. As man progresses in science and reap the fruit of technology, he continues to be alienated to himself and to one another. Institutions that hold the social structures such as family, fraternity and community are mocked as outdated and taken over by consumerism, social media and individualism. All these have led to collapse of the communal and social structures, as each man becomes the author and maker of himself; what counts is what pleases him, and sometimes, to the detriment of others. The consequence is that man is lost as he works alone instead of working together. Those who argue that they do not need others to exist, argues that it hampers personal growth and controls people’s lives. But this is where the problem of modern man begins as he goes on; he discovers that he needs the community to survive. It is in the community that the battle for survival is fought. Is it not the lack of recognizing that we cannot do with others that has thrown modern man into lack of social support, lower emotional competence, even the growing rate of suicide and euthanasia, which has been linked to the lack of modern man to recognize his needs for others, to exist? It is this ideology of "I alone," that is behind racial supremacy and prejudice that man begins to think that he is greater than others such as in eugenics; breeding a particular race to displace others, like Hitler who murdered three million Jews and genocides as was in Congo and Nigerian-Biafra wars. The same can be said of inter-tribal and religious laws conflicts. Furthermore, “I am because you are” could also be seen as how our actions can have positive impact on others and equally on our society. Communalism is another aspect of showing love and cooperation among others, knowing fully well that caring for the community encompasses caring for one another with tolerance, consideration, hospitality, and human compassion. Individualism is a challenge facing humanity. One thinks only for his self and for his own pocket gain of selfish interest. In our country Nigeria and Africa at large, we can see how the so-called politicians embezzle the government funds meant for the masses, to their own benefits without recognizing the masses that voted them in. In this situation, one thinks he can do without others which lead to greed and self-centeredness. Suicide is also a challenge that faces the human society. People who are victims are not only because they are depressed, but because of the situation in the country, no one cares for each other, no love of brotherhood, and they are being thrown into the state of emotional trauma. For example when a student graduates from the university and after his youth service he eventually searches for a job but to no avail due to conditions of his family and the society, and he is being looked up to, for provisions of their basic needs. Now, instead of him becoming a nuisance and a wasted effort to his family and the society, he ends up committing suicide because nobody cares to know his situation. War is a global issue facing every country and the world at large. In our country Nigeria, everyone is struggling to be the lord of himself, inter -tribal conflicts and religious problems. Igbos are agitating for their freedom, Yorubas are also fighting for their freedom, and Fulani-Hausa are struggling for power. All these are happening because we lack togetherness, love of humanity, common sense of understanding and caring for brotherhood. Let’s live in peace and embrace love, togetherness and mutual understanding. Genocides are the worst challenge of humanity in this era. People are been killed every day because of one problems or the other, we can reflect back at the g******e of Congo and also Nigerian-Biafra war, we saw how the innocent citizens are been Massacred. Today we are still experiencing the same issues by the Boko haram militants killing of innocent citizens, burning of churches and mosques. Not very long ago, we heard about the killing of the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria by this terrorist sect. At the Eastern Nigeria, we are also faced with the problem of Fulani herdsmen, who have also killed some farmers and r***d some women who went to farm to cultivate. All these conditions are seen because no one cares for each other, the constitution is no longer strong and stable, lack of security for the citizens, and we tend to forget that we were created in the same image of God. Let’s live in peace and acknowledge one’s own precious life. Finally, from the famous dicta of John, S. Mbiti, “The community must make, or produce the individual, for the individual depends on the corporate group, and that I am because we are. Since we are therefore I am.” This implies unity, love, peace, togetherness, and charity among ourselves and to the society we found ourselves. This essay entails self-reliance in the building, strengthening and controlling of economics of our own community, and as a reminder to the society on how we should be treating others. The assumption here is that we must seize and maintain the initiative in all that is ours, and we must harness our resources and put them to the best possible use in the service of the community. General sharing of wealth is another form of communitarian exchange, sharing and cooperating. But it is essential because without the principle and practice of shared wealth, the social conditions for exploitation, oppression and inequality as well as deprivation and suffering are increased. Therefore in order to pave way for developments towards a civilized society, the individual must consider the welfare and security of others while performing different social actions and must avoid discriminatory behaviors.