As humans, we often feel most vulnerable when we lack solidarity with like-minded companions. But consider this: even criminals can experience solidarity among themselves, cooperating in their nefarious acts. That uncomfortable fact complicates the true meaning of solidarity. Nations routinely proclaim solidarity with others under the banner of improving livelihoods, and on paper, this seems noble. Real value, however, lies in action, not merely in declarations of unity.
Criminals may unite, but their path leads inevitably to ruin; there is no lasting survival in wrongdoing, in this life or the next. Such solidarity manufactures a false sense of security precisely when the opposite is true. Sound solutions are found through honest, scientific approaches. Evil aligns only with evil, while goodness thrives alongside goodness. A key insight here is that humanity’s struggles arise from blending lies with truth.
A problem truly exists only when it contains falsehood; without lies, there are no problems. Issues emerge when positives mix with negatives, leading to harmful consequences. Think of electric power: current flows when a source generates both positive and negative charges. The polarity of these two forces works together to produce energy, yet they cannot occupy the same space; they remain distinct in origin.
Current flows only when these opposites stay separate but connected. The universe operates under such laws, and they are immensely useful when understood. Even a beginner can grasp the basics of electrical systems, just as universal principles can be applied to life. God’s laws, including those governing co-existential human relations, are scientifically consistent.
Humans were created to coexist peacefully, without resorting to war. The production of weapons represents a grave misapplication of scientific principles. The engineers who manufacture these weapons fully understand the consequences of disregarding nature’s laws. For example, the discovery of nuclear physics was meant to solve problems, yet it is often misused—especially by so-called advanced and economically stable nations—to threaten human survival.
According to scientific law, every effect has a clear cause. Less developed countries frequently envy the advancements of wealthier nations and, upon gaining economic power, may consider developing nuclear weapons themselves. This leads to unnecessary competition that risks mutual destruction. Meanwhile, the United Nations, established to protect humanity, seems unable to address the root issues stemming from weapon manufacturing.
As I mentioned earlier, for a difficulty to be truly problematic, it must involve some degree of falsehood. This is a fundamental principle in the scientific realm. Consider an electric spark: it cannot occur without contact between positive and negative wires. Now imagine a liar convincing an unsuspecting person that they would be safe jumping from a fifty-meter-high pylon. The deceived individual might jump, leading to their death. In such a tragic event, a criminal investigation would likely yield inconclusive results.
The deceiver would rarely admit responsibility for the misinformation. While they deliberately misled the victim, one could also argue that the victim misunderstood the information received. The deadly outcome, however, arose from the mingling of truth and lie. No issue is truly problematic without some form of misinformation. Any problem can be analyzed using at least five “why” questions. These issues range from small to enormous. Let’s apply this approach to diagnose the problem of poverty, which affects more people in Africa than on any other continent:
- Why are Africans the poorest when compared with other races?
- Why are Africans affected by lies more than other races?
- Why, after receiving an education, cannot Africans solve their problems?
- Why are Africans suspicious of other races?
- Why do Africans regard themselves as inferior to other races?
The first question often leads to the misconception that Western nations are simply looting African resources due to their illiteracy. Without verified information, it is easy to invite speculation instead of truth. Some argue that the Bible was designed to deceive Africans, or that missionaries had ulterior motives to exploit and disempower Africans, facilitating the theft of their resources. One of the most damaging falsehoods is the belief that supremacy is based on weaponry rather than on human dignity. This lie has overshadowed the essential truth that human dignity is far more valuable than the gold coveted by Western nations.
To start, every nation has been conquered in some way or another. At one point, Egypt, located in Africa, oppressed the Israelites for many years. It’s hard to see why the Israelites stayed in that victim role for so long. Yet, records suggest that God kept them wandering in the wilderness for forty years due to a similar form of mental slavery.
Although the might of weaponry can appear intimidating, it holds no real power without the backing of human dignity. An educated person should understand that no mineral resource compares to the value of human dignity. In their lack of true education, Africans may have assumed that those wielding sophisticated weapons were superior. However, if true that those wielders truly felt superior because of their weapons, they were as uneducated as the Africans they sought to dominate.
Former Western colonialists continue to use their technological edge in weaponry to exploit the African continent. This trend could continue for the next two thousand years, keeping Africans oppressed unless they regain their dignity. The true enemy of Africans, exploited by other nations, is corruption, due to the assumption that the accumulation of wealth is more important than dignity. For true freedom, Africans must embrace the principle that dignity is more valuable than mineral resources. The focus should be on recovering lost dignity before addressing the manipulative exploitation of Africa’s resources.
The second question asks why falsehood has affected Africans more than other races. This very question is misguided, as it implies that other races are inherently superior. While Africans may appear disadvantaged, they could have been in a stronger position if they had embraced humility rather than pretending to be knowledgeable.
Dignity dismantles all pretenses. The challenges facing humanity are not rooted in knowledge or ignorance as such; rather, they stem from falsehood, which muddles knowledge with ignorance. By itself, ignorance does not create problems for those who recognize their own lack of knowledge. Serious issues arise when knowledgeable individuals selfishly withhold information. Knowledge itself is not the problem; it becomes problematic when it is not applied with dignity toward those who are less informed.
This failure is driven by the misguided belief that being knowledgeable makes one superior to those who are not. In reality, the world does not consist of superior and inferior beings; it comprises humans created in God’s image, who are simply categorized as knowledgeable or ignorant. Neither knowledge nor ignorance grants anyone inherent superiority or inferiority. The principle is that those with knowledge have a duty to share it, and those without should always be open to learning.
A pressing third question arises: Why are Africans still unable to solve their problems despite receiving an education? Many Africans, particularly those in the diaspora, hold influential positions in scientific advancement and lead upper-class lives while their fellow Africans live in severe poverty. This brings us back to the core issue: the misguided belief that knowledge is an inward advantage. This belief should be replaced with an understanding of dignity, which restores humanity and earns respect from other nations.
Many individuals equate money with value, aspiring to become billionaires like their European counterparts. However, there is no true worth in amassing wealth if it does not benefit others. The genuine value of a human being is found in true dignity. This idea was poignantly illustrated by Jesus during his conversation with a rich young man:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:21-24 NIV).
The fourth question is: Why might some Africans be cautious toward people of other races? It is uncertain whether the caution would be genuine or merely a superficial facade, used by leaders to gain support from the unsuspecting black community. In many parts of Africa, it can be very difficult for white individuals to attain political leadership roles, even if they were born there.
The deep scars left by colonialism have made it challenging for whites to be fully trusted in African politics. In contrast, black individuals have successfully been elected to high offices in Europe and the United States, as exemplified by Barack Obama becoming the first black U.S. president. Will this cautious attitude toward white people in Africa ever change? In reality, there is no inherent difference between white and black individuals aside from the mistrust born of historical trauma and insecurity.
God does not judge people based on their skin color, and as beings created in His image, all humans share the same spiritual identity. It is often those trusted by Africans who have betrayed their own people more than the mistrusted whites have. Skepticism born from mistrust should not be mistaken for the reality on the ground.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21 NIV).
This scripture addresses those who have received the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that all people are united as they are created in God’s image. It connects an individual’s value to their actions—what they choose to do or not do for others. The Holy Spirit serves to help the person recover their own dignity. This has nothing to do with racial appearance but is directed by the individual’s character, which is spiritual.
The fifth and not least of these pertinent questions examines why some Africans view themselves as inferior to other races. While many reject the idea of idolizing white people, sentiments like the Zimbabwean phrase “Hondo ye minda” suggest otherwise. Hostility toward white individuals can sometimes stem from an underlying belief in their superiority, leading some Black individuals to struggle with the truth that being Black does not equate to being less than others.
This struggle for self-acceptance often arises from a loss of dignity, resulting in the belief that the idea of adopting white cultural norms equates to progress. Some individuals have even changed their national identities to align more closely with white culture. Practices such as skin bleaching are on the rise, along with a growing demand for Brazilian or Peruvian hair to enhance appearance.
Speaking English with a particular accent is often perceived as a way to secure promotions over Black peers. For some, embracing white cultural traits is seen as a mark of sophistication. However, without a sense of dignity, this leads to a desire for validation by pretending to be someone they are not. There is nothing wrong with adopting valuable practices from any community, but it becomes problematic when we imitate their unworthy cultural habits.
For instance, pursuing wealth for its own sake appeals only to those who lack dignity. To the uneducated, being a billionaire may seem dignified, but true dignity is not found in possessions or in what others admire. It is measured by how many people benefit from one’s actions. False dignity may also be tied to other superficial traits such as gender, appearance, speech, or race.
A striking example from Zimbabwe is the late former president Robert Mugabe. Many would agree that he was one of the most articulate African leaders the world has seen, using the English language with skill, and during his prime, his presence and demeanor were impressive. However, it is now widely recognized that he was, in fact, deeply undignified. Much of the world’s turmoil stems from valuing the valueless—like celebrating someone for their material possessions instead of the good they do for ordinary people.
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4 NIV).
The crucial point to understand is that negative thoughts are fueled by falsehood rather than by truth. People frequently speak of solidarity as a virtue, but they fail to distinguish between false dignity and true dignity. Fooling ourselves in solidarity does not improve our situation; it keeps us stuck. It is essential to bring people together around true dignity rather than around its counterfeit. Solidarity is only a virtue when it is inspired by true dignity.
Furthermore, there is no dignity in self-praise. A dignified person does not seek recognition or admiration from others. Instead, they aim to add value to the lives of their fellow humans without needing to be celebrated for it. The best example of true dignity is Jesus, who served selflessly without seeking to impress anyone.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
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