What’s Going On?

Credit: Pinterest

It is over 50 years since Marvin Gaye released this album and signature song, What’s Going On. It seems that the answer is the same as it was half a century ago; racism, police brutality, drug abuse, environmental degradation, poverty and war. 

However, I think it would be a mistake to think we have learnt nothing in these intervening decades. Infant mortality has been reduced all over the world, life expectancy has improved, women have a greater presence in government leadership, science & technology, law, health & education and in our homes and in our workplaces. There is also greater access to food, housing and employment. The list could fill the page. Is this enough? Of course not. Are we happier? No. In fact it would seem that there is a crisis in mental health, particularly of the Euro-American populations and especially among young people. Moreover, we are facing greater migration of people around the globe, which should be a positive if it were not for the reasons families and individuals have had to flee their homes, their neighbourhoods and their countries. 

What would it look like if women in every single one of our 195 nations of the world came together to offer ways forward towards a better future? What would it look like if we removed the individual and worked in collectives of mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunties and friends? What would it look like if women and men got together, standing shoulder to should looking forward to create what we imagine for our futures, even when we are no longer around? 

This Friday, 27 October, I looked at the full moon endeavouring to break through the rain clouds near my home and remembered what my mother had told me when I was 7 months pregnant. “Darling, this is the same moon that shines on us both. I am very close,” even though we were separated, at the time, by nearly 10,000 kilometres. In difficult times, I still seek out her wisdom and her gentleness even though she is no longer physically in this world. 

I hope for more wisdom and gentleness. What are your hopes for November?

I would love us all to read your thoughts on this post. Take care of yourselves, always.

Update: Luxembourg to Mpaka

Next month, November, I am organising a small “thank you” breakfast for our donors to the Kamhlaba Challenge and a happy birthday to Waterford Kamhlaba United World College as she celebrates her 60^thAnniversary, working together for justice in Africa since 1963. If you would like to find out more about my Luxembourg to Mpaka Kamhlaba Challenge, check out the link below. 

From Luxembourg to Mpaka