Interdependence, homeostasis, comraderie, esprit de corps recognize the inherent and inexorable impact of our natural interdepence. Any imbalance of the body leads to sickness. Bringing harm to nature disrupts eco-balance. In sports, “There’s no “I” in team. Agreement about my presupposition does not matter; it’s just the way things work. Acknowledging and cooperating makes the difference between good health, a happy earth, and a winning team.

Chris Jenkin’s (Associated Press writer, June 13, 2008 Boston Globe, page E8) article, “River’s adoption of ’ubuntu’ speaks to team unification” seems worth mentioning after last nights historic win against the Lakers. 

My son told me, “You don’t understand basketball.”  I may not “get” the game, but I understand the fundamentals of gamesmanship. River’s adoption of ‘ubuntu’ speaks to team unification. I may not understand the game, but the fundamentals of gamesmanship I understand.

Doc Rivers learned the South African word “ubuntu” from Stephanie Russell who taught Rivers about the work of Desmond Tutu. For Tutu, the word embraced his hope for racial unity in South Africa after apartheid (a self-serving narcisstic worldview).

Writing posseses the same characteristic; we write not for ourselves (although this motivates), we write for the purpose of “ubuntu”: “I am because we are.”