By Staff
"Learn something new; see something differently each day" was advice given to me long ago.
What we see and what we learn define who we are, individually and collectively.
I walk past Nina Akamu's sculpture, Mount'n View, nearly every day on my way to the post office or bank.
Each time I look at the animals I see something I'd not seen the time before. This, of course, is the intent of the artist.
Akamu explained her symbolism in an article that appeared in this paper on May 9: "You must carry your burdens in life, bear them and don't complain excessively. Do not blame others for your problems and misfortunes. If you can rise above that, you can attain your full growth potential and not remain dwarfed. In doing so, you rise above all else, gain a clear perspective and begin a new life; you become a Nubian - Nu bein - new being.
Wow! What a challenge! I'm grateful to Akamu for her insight and wisdom; I'm grateful to the Franklin family for sharing this gift with the community.
Once an artist displays a work, the art invites interpretation from observers.
Briefly stated, Maslow theorized that basic or physiological needs such as food, air, water, etc., have to be met before we are motivated to satisfy needs on a higher level.
For me, the donkey represents these basic needs.
Next is the need for safety -the male goat is an example of this level.
The levels of belongingness and love (a desire for love and acceptance), esteem needs (desire for achievement, power, recognition and respect) and finally self-actualization needs (fulfillment of personal potential) are the results of growth and achievement.
Each level of Maslow's hierarchy supports the next, as each animal in "Mount'n View" supports another.
On an individual basis, the challenge is to sustain the levels in concert, thus maintaining the highest potential possible.
If one level is threatened, the entire structure can crumble.
For instance, if someone is suddenly deprived of food and water, the need for safety is of no concern - one will take unlikely risks, without regard for safety, to get food and water, or if safety is threatened, there is little motivation for belongingness and love.
Communities are subject to this theory, that certain needs have to be met before others.
Needs for the aesthetics will not be met if there is concern for safety, for instance.
Just as individuals strive to maintain balance in their lives, communities seek balance and harmony.
Communities within communities support and nurture one another to create understanding and balance, just as the animals support one another to achieve new being.
Harmony, balance and understanding do not mean there is no place for disagreement.
They do, however, set standards for how disagreement is expressed and how ideologies are challenged.
Disagreement expressed with civility and respect promotes growth.
For me, the benchmark for balance and harmony is seen in "Mount'n View."
Or, to paraphrase a Biblical admonition, "Support one another; bear one another's burdens."
I believe this is what community is all about - living with others, being civil, showing respect, and moving towards (and sometimes, even achieving) new being.