#78: Chris Pappas, cultural sensitivity & developing collaboration early

A 5min read why our separate stories effect the way we see the world & how to fix that

The definition of culture is to share an understanding of our most stupid assumptions. Simple things like what the South African flag means. And how that meaning makes a group of us feel in the pit of our stomach when we see it. It is those stories we tell ourselves in the dark corners of our subconscious that give us a sense of security in a cruel world.

Academics call that a ‘cultural universe’. A world in our heads of trillions of stories knitted together to create a meta-narrative that makes us feel safe. We huddle with those who tell the same stories. It is easier that way. Helps us all avoid the chaos and uncertainty of human existence just a bit and so our shared, similar understanding compounds. Next thing we know, boom, out pops culture. This practice is ancient as people.

But there is a practical implication to this. Dun, dun duuun … not everyone shares the same stories. Who would have thought? Facetiousness aside, take a tiny step back and consider something as simple as our national flag. It is right there at our most banal symbol of unity that our true multiplicity reveals itself. Immediately our rights and lefts (conservative and liberal) are divided by different memories. Different stories. Different cultures depending on whether you are African, English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Venda (etc) IFP, EFF, ANC or DA, etc.

In South Africa, we are stalled by this multiplicity. On top of our past it makes us even more afraid of each other. And where there is fear, collaboration doesn’t even get off the ground...

Intro Chris Pappas. Intro progress. Here is a young man who has the cultural sensitivity that enables him to walk between worlds. Between two sets of stories. And we marvel. We try to explain it by linking it to his ability to speak Zulu. But this magic is deeper than language. This is an awareness and sensitivity to a meta-narrative that did not exist around his dining room table, and who would have thought, we have collaboration. Academics call that the ‘Culture Centred Approach’ (CCA).

I highly recommend watching the one-minute video above. Watch the small things like his eye contact. The complete absence of a superiority complex. The ability to listen not just to words but the meaning behind them and then feel genuine empathy. I’ve spent four weeks with Chris making these films. There are forty of them and I can assure you whatever you have heard about him, times it by a thousand. There’s something remarkable about the leadership he is providing.

If you had to ask me to describe what I am doing in partnership with Kabelo Motlhakane from Ko Motho and the other amazing leaders of our courses for schools I would say like Chris we are serving the conversation of equality. And we are doing that by developing balanced content that leads toward cultural sensitivity so our learners are prepared to thrive in the future of South Africa.

When I look at Chris I know that vision is right. That it will work. That it is both important and urgent. Diversity always makes things better (see the Springbok) if we can put down fear and pick up curiosity. But that journey starts with the ability to see that there are other worlds beyond our simple stories. And then to understand and even celebrate those stories as of equal importance to our own, without being afraid.

Truth be told that process should start young. It did for Chris. Easier that way.

And with your help, that is what we hope to do. Prepare all youth in South Africa to be able to engage with a South African meta-narrative that is complex. A cultural universe that unfortunately does have so many perspectives and vantage points and associations to simple symbols like a toilet, street light, or taps. We hope to broaden our collective cultural lens so learners don’t hurt themselves in the chaos and uncertainty of what is.

And this is urgent. Watch the testimony of the woman above. Feel the anger. Feel the disdain and pain that she has had to navigate to hold onto her tiny shred of hope. Chris forged her trust through riots and fires and violence only because he had the tools to do that. But we don’t want that for our kids?

African History, Black Consciousness, Inequality, Gender Rights, and all the other courses Let’s Talk? offers are not about being right. Or about changing everything. Or even the principles of Transformation, Diversity, and Inclusion. They are about preparedness. Preparedness for young humans who need to feel safe in a scary world and to do that are going to require a broad meta-narrative that serves them so they are not blindsided by reality.

My ask again is simple. Help us. Support this work by reaching out and including us in your curriculum for 2024. After using these courses Hilton, St Annes, Grace College, St Peters, etc say we are safe (see testimonies here) but personally, I don’t think that is what makes us safe. Our agenda does.

We don’t want a revolution. Like you, we just want kids who enjoy the simple things, like struggling a bit less with mental health issues because some of their uncertainty is addressed. Or for them not to be scared of the future, maybe even feel confident. We dream of thousands of kids like Chris Pappas springing up who might even feel secure enough to lead in our complex spaces. And thankfully our courses help you do a tiny bit of that which would otherwise be dangerous or difficult.

Don’t take my word for it, watch what learners say in the video below. These courses achieve that.

So please, help us help them and you in what I know is all of our genuine desire to serve and be safe in our growing collective, cultural universe.