Thoughts, reflections, and beliefs of Ronald Sultana

Abstract

A manifesto: from the Latin manifestum, meaning 'clear' or 'conspicuous', even 'blatantly obvious', as in "It is manifestly the case that the earth turns around the sun". Today it should be patently obvious that diversity is to be celebrated, and yet it is manifestly the case that we need a manifesto - a declaration of principles, a public statement of position - that has to be shouted out, affirmed, and fought for. Why? Because slowly and imperceptibly at first, but increasingly quickly and blatantly, we are sliding back towards fear of the Other, a fear that soon translates into rejection, vilification, and expulsion from our midst. The Spartans dashed the unwanted against the rocky slopes around their polis, and the children of Europa had their ship of fools, their ghettoes, and their asylums. Walls went up to keep the Other out, and walls within the walls to keep those inside, but unwanted, apart. Walls of all kinds and shapes and sizes: a yellow star, a tinkling bell, a label: it took years and years for us to learn .to break down those walls and live in peace in our family, in our clan, in our nation' in our global village. A long, long journey of learning - truly life-long, epochal learning. Learning to stand in awe of the Other in our midst, seen as an end, not as a means to an end, in front of whom we 'tremble' in response to the transcendent call for dignity and respect.