do you look for the goodness in another?

 



Do you ever feel as though people are just waiting for a reason for someone to make one error, one slip up and thus, become the reason for condemnation? It has happened since the beginning of time and probably will until the end of time, even though Jesus came to us as an example of how we should treat one another. Remember the story of the woman caught in adultery and how she was to be stoned?
I saw this story today and was uplifted. I think it has a lesson that we all should take to heart. It follows the credo that Father Flanagan of Boys Town fame always believed, that "there is no such thing as a bad boy." Maybe if we all paused to look at the goodness of a human's heart, we will be less inclined to believe the worst about them.

The Babemba tribe of Africa believes that each human being comes into the world as good. Each one of us only desiring safety, love, peace and happiness.
But sometimes, in the pursuit of these things, people make mistakes.
When a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he/she is placed in the center of the village, alone, unfettered. All work ceases. All gather around the accused individual. Then each person of every age, begins to talk out loud to the accused. One at a time, each person tells all the good things the one in the center ever did in his/her lifetime.
Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length.
The tribal ceremony often lasts several days, not ceasing until everyone is drained of every positive comment that can be mustered. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe. Necessity for such ceremonies is rare!

This story is originally from the book, Contact, The First Four Minutes by Leonard Sunin. The Babemba or Bemba people make their home in an area of Africa that includes Zambia and the Congo. Another source: http://tinyurl.com/nt5xydr
Photo by Jessica Hilltout.