Divisions society

Divisions in our society are presently affecting our daily interactions as individuals from different backgrounds learn to accept and co-exist with each other. The assigned reading from Glover’s Humanity addresses the issue of tribalism and how its composition is very much influenced with the way an individual or group of individuals view the existing differences in their interactions with others. Glover has exemplified this through his examination of the tribes in African and Eastern Europe countries like Rwanda and Yugoslavia (Glover, 2001).

It illustrated the conflict found within the boundaries of Rwandan tribes such as the Hutus and the Tutsis, and the six republics existing within the domains of Yugoslavia that separated the Serbians from the Croatians. While on the surface, most of the conflict may appear to be based on physicality such as ethnicity, Glover reiterates that may be psychologically rooted as tribal hostility could exhibit a crisis of moral identity in the issues of religion, political belief, profession, communal attributions (Glover, 2001).

Furthermore, Glover stresses that tribal consciousness thrives on the method of group thinking as tribes tend to associate themselves with certain characteristics that they have which isolates them from other groups. Such characteristics may not be physical but it contains reassurance that an individual is of worth since he or she belongs to a certain tribe or group (Glover, 2001). In the chapter readings assigned, Glover had elaborated on identities that make up a nation such as tribal, ethnic, religious and national. Such identities are predetermined since it allocated by one’s upbringing and the society.

As humans, one develops an interest in discovering his or her self-worth through the presence of groups and communities that nurtures an individual’s understanding of oneself and the world (Glover, 2001). The book also delineated the concept of tribalism and nationalism as they are often used interchangeably. While tribes may often exhibit a sense of nationalistic pride within their very nature, nationalism is said to be more universal or encompassing since it is a natural phenomenon. A tribe deals with the precept of division or separation.

It is a view of us and them, which is against the principles of a nation (Glover, 2001). Through the recollection of the tragedies that happened in Rwanda and Bosnia, Glover offered a unique perspective into the human frailty of such tribal conflicts and how leaders must give attention to not only the psychological and ethical theories available, but on the existing social and political environments as well (Glover, 2001). Glover stated that one of the keys to surmounting and unchaining ourselves to tribal identities is to understand them as it is and accept the existing differences.

Learning to co-exist with other groups and offer respect to them would create a harmonious environment that would render solutions to problems that were unanswered by tribalism. Tribalism fuels most of the conflicting tribes described by Glover in the book and it has created unresolved issues with regard to the conditions of war-torn countries such as Israel, Darfur, Kosovo, Pakistan and North Korea (Glover, 2001). Tribal hostility can be transcended by adhering to a sense of moral identity that is based on other characteristics spiritual growth, universal values and communal sustainability.

Such efforts, according to Glover, may improve relations of tribal communities as they assess decisions based on universal themes rather than on individualistic or group advocacies that aims to separate (Glover, 2001). For instance, Glover had stated that if political leaders had agreed to make Jerusalem as the capital for both Israelis and the Palestinians and drafted a solution that would create peaceful co-existence between the two tribes, then the conflict would lessen.

However, that was not the case as both parties wanted to own a piece of the land for themselves, removing all possibilities of sharing (Glover, 2001). In essence, Glover concluded that if individuals spent less time identifying with tribal entities and devoted more time to comprehend on a workable solution to co-exist, one would be able to function better in the society. Most of the problems created in our society stems from the differing identities that exist within tribal groups that either promotes unnecessary pride or loyalties toward their beliefs.

One must set aside resentments or prejudices of other people as it is the culprit that divides a community. One must realize that, in so much as there are many things that makes each society different, collectively, the core values of human beings are all the same, which was the point that Glover was trying to address in his book when he said that we should unchain ourselves. Reference: Glover, J. (2001). Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. Connecticut: Yale University Press.

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