“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.”
The above African saying for three whole decades adorns part of what’s left from the Berlin Wall in East Side Gallery, but today, in 2020, it seems to be more relevant and necessary than ever. Watching the hail of developments that have already branded the dawn of the new decade indelibly, I wondered what the role of the bodies in charge is. Almost all of us with brief procedures could argue that they don’t gain a praiseworthy success in controlling the emerging crises, whichever they are. So, I was questioning my part in all of this. What is our role?
That’s when this saying came to my mind, that with such a simple yet so robust way points out at the same time the values of self-action and collectivity, it raises the self-existent inherent in society as a whole while enhancing the power of the whole.
“Many small people…”, the so-called unsung heroes, those whose name will never be known, those who might never hear “Congratulations!” or “Thank you.” You, him, us, even though the shadow of the unaccomplished might come upon us, we all make decisions, and we dare to realise them while gazing for a change. The adjective “small” by no means tries to degrade the value of each person but instead manifests the humbleness and the modesty that should be a part of them when they indiscreetly mess with the completion of a higher purpose that concerns everyone. In a rugged way towards changing the world every “small” person, with their insecurities and flaws, co-exists with “many small” people, who have their own vulnerabilities and imperfections. None of them is “big”. None of them is perfect. However, they collectively flirt with the perfection of this world.
“…, in many small places,…” It is said that if a tree falls down, but no one notices, it’s like it never fell. But, in fact, the tree is no longer there. It would be impossible to completely block the possibility of anything happening close to us, just because it isn’t happening here and now. How many times did the war photos from Syria, the rumours about the American-Iranian war, but also the most recent images of the wildfires in Australia, seem like unlikely scenarios? These scenarios, nevertheless, are the cruel reality and regardless of every “small place” in which they take place, they concern us all. They involve all of us, because in whichever small place we are, even in the tiniest, we belong to a bigger one. We are only a small part of some chained interactions, that will inevitably affect us, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, directly or indirectly.
“…, do many small things…” No mountain top was conquered all at once. It took one step at a time. It took a small step, though the achievement of which made the top seem increasingly accessible. The higher the top, the more steps that need to be done patiently. When, on the other hand, the altering of human history reigns on top, many small things should come together and be done, from the demolition of the wall to the ecological rescue of the planet. This action should never cease, and it needs to be conscient and universal!
“…, that can alter the face of the world.” World history has been altered countless times and will be changed so many more. However, if it turns for the best, it lies on each of us, who think and search for solutions through constant questioning. This isn’t enough though, at least not on its own. A loud word is silently hiding inside this African saying. It’s the word “do”. Next time then, that a tree falls, let’s not pretend not to see it. We don’t have time anymore for fake promises. Let’s open our eyes and do something, each one separately but all together, from whatever corner of the planet we are. Let’s also hope that another alteration of history isn’t that far away, this time towards something better.
Review Niki Saridaki