"Our Daily Blog" #4

"Sustainability" Part Three

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. We live in a society in which the main focus seems to be getting. Too little of the attention of the Quality as well as the Tasked[1], is given to keeping that which has been gotten. Sustainability, therefore, ought to be a priority for any nation that expects to "long endure"[2]. The most enduring civilizations ever to occupy the planet ascribed to "building for eternity". Hence, the African pyramids remain intact while what remains of Greek and Roman architecture is in "ruins". Yet, despite this historical evidence, one of the cornerstones of our present economy is "planned obsolescence". This is the socially- approved policy of engineering and/or constructing things to have a "shelf life". And, in the event that they don't wear out on their own, they are either disposed of or intentionally rendered out-of-style by design. This not only affects the production of motor vehicles and fashions, cell phones and electronics, but more significantly, it applies to institutions and systems. The shutdown pandemic that we are experiencing now is the consequence of this "plan". For nothing can “long endure" that is not also "built to last". Now, almost everything we've learned to rely upon on life- support systems as parts of our country make plans to re-open for "business as usual". It is self-evident that this is not a wise move to make given the risks that have already been identified. It is also self-evident that depending only upon external things, i.e. jobs, is very "risky business" Fortunately, for us forewarned is forearmed. It is late, but not too late to free ourselves from the “unwisdom"[3] that got us into this predicament. There is still time to plan and to adopt a time-honored way of life-a culture. Our forebears understood that institutions are in the people: Education is in the people. The children are taught the way of life as well as of "making a living" [4] in tandem with their kinship group as they live and work together in the community. Their spirituality is not separate from, but is an integral part, of their daily lives. Our forebears understood that it is people -not buildings - who make institutions. Our ancestors also recognized that plagues and famines were signs that we have gotten out of harmony with the Will of the Most High. So, together they sought to learn, from The Beneficent One, what they needed to do to restore the perpetual beneficence that was, like the Spirit, Omnipresent. Let us go forward as we worship God" in wisdom and in truth".[5] Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am the God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the righteousness of my right hand.

( To read from the beginning, click here.)

Footnotes

[1] Tah-Nahesi Coates, “The Water Dancer”

[2] Abraham Lincoln, “The Gettysburg Address”

[3] Sonja Sanchez, “Speak the Truth to the People”

[4] Carter G. Woodson "The Mis-Education of the Negro"

[5]John 4:24

"I'm looking at the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his ways, and no message could have been any clearer, If you want to make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself, and then make a change." "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson