If you do a Google search for “unity without uniformity” you’ll find a gazillion books, lectures, seminars, journal articles, etc. on the topic. I don’t know about you, but this is mind-blowing to me, especially with all the division and disunity that permeates the planet at the moment.
But even amid this discord, it seems people are becoming hip to the power of unity without uniformity.
What is unity without uniformity? Thanks for asking.
The idea behind the mantra is that we don’t have to be on the same page or in lock-step agreement on every single thing under the sun to be able to work together for our common good. As long as we can find common ground on the issue at hand – whatever issue that may be – we’re good. We can move forward.
“Our experience in this Babylon has been dominated by us being conditioned not to work with one another; not to trust each other; not to respect or follow leadership provided by other Blackfolk.”
Why is this important for Blackfolk? For several reasons. First, our experience in this Babylon has been dominated by us being conditioned not to work with one another; not to trust each other; not to respect or follow leadership provided by other Blackfolk. So, we’ve had to fight through this roadblock that we have both consciously and subconsciously accepted and adhered to for far too long.
Second, something that’s related to the first point: we have a lot of organizations and movements doing good things but who find reasons not to link up and collaborate with others. And oftentimes, the sticking point comes down to one or two things upon which the different groups have differing opinions or views. And even though we agree on the big-ticket items, we let the small stuff stop us from linking arms and fighting the powers that be collectively.
“We find ways to allow our differences to dominate, and we walk away from potentially powerful and mutually beneficial working relationships because of those areas where we see things differently.”
We already know that “Where two or more are gathered, there divine power is also.” We know the power of Ubuntu, the power of “We can do more together than we can apart;” the power of “I need you, you need me, we need each other;” the power of “I am because we are, and because we are, therefore I am.” Yet, we still find ways to allow our differences to dominate, and we walk away from potentially powerful and mutually beneficial working relationships because of those areas where we see things differently.
Houston’s Operation Unity, a collaboration of progressive organizations that work for the liberation of Black people, but do so in their own unique ways, is a shining example of how we can move forward in the power of “unity without uniformity.”
If I start naming the members of Operation Unity, I know I’m going to forget one or two, so I won’t even start. But suffice it to say, these organizations/movements have varying perspectives and differences that cover a wide range of things. But where they agree is wanting Blackfolk to be empowered. And it is upon that premise that these Operation Unity members, each with their own organizations and histories and programs, etc., come together to do great work.
“Houston’s Citywide Kwanzaa celebration, which has been going on for over two decades, is just one shining example of the power of ‘unity without uniformity.”
Houston’s Citywide Kwanzaa celebration, which has been going on for over two decades, is just one shining example of the power of “unity without uniformity.” Instead of each of these organizations/movements doing their own thing with their own crowds, they come together under the Operation Unity banner, combine their efforts, combine their spheres of influence and celebrate the Kwanzaa principles together – which only makes sense since the first principle is Umoja (Unity).
The national chairman of the National Black United Front (NBUF), Brother Kofi Taharka, who resides here in H-Town, even wrote a book about the power of “unity without uniformity”. It’s a literal guide for Black unity, titled, “The Operational Unity Network: Guide for Functional & Practical Unity in the Black Community.”
Taharka shares wisdom from lived experiences working with NBUF and NBUF working with other progressive movements in the city and beyond, and how the principle of “unity without uniformity” has created a powerful working relationship between these players that expands far beyond Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 – Jan. 1).
My point: neither you personally nor your church, temple, mosque, sorority, frat, civic club, PTA/PTO, etc. have to be a card-carrying member of Houston’s Operation Unity to practice “unity without uniformity” and help make our collective Black community that much stronger.
And at a time when the forces that want to take away our vote, criminalize the teaching of our history and revel in any pain we feel are banding together and plotting our demise, we need to work together now more than ever. And the mantra of “unity without uniformity” provides a pathway for that action, so those who think they want to come for us can get that action!
