Trustee for the Human Community: Ralph J. Bunche, the United Nations, and the Decolonization of Africa

Centenary Memory Beads for Mr. Bunche

xix Centenary Memory Beads for Mr. Bunche a b e n a p. a . b u s i a For Mr. Ralph Johnson Bunche, on the centenary of his birth— what can be the generation of memory? The stories are so many and so few, From Pacific halls west to Atlantic plazas, if we encircle the globe, what story beads can we tell? What does it take to recollect a legacy so large, to honor and to keep in mind decades of public labor so invisible and private? Let’s tell the first bead for the ancestors: Offspring of the free of spirit whether slaves or freemen, maids or schoolmasters, his was an American life— His inheritance a fierce love that nurtured dignity and taught the pride of doing all things well And left as sweet and lasting legacy a simple admonition never to abandon faith, hope, and dreams. Let’s tell the second bead for the orphaned boy: Who dreamed he’d walk the mountains and claimed the whole broad world his schoolroom; xx a b e n a p. a . b u s i a For the twice valedictory dutiful son who learned well the lessons of his worth that no barred swimming pools and closed honor clubs And segregated dining cars could dishonor. What rites of memory can we perform? Let’s tell the third bead for the scholar-athlete: Who loved hoops and laughter and stowed away on ships who laid carpets, shelled peas, And learned to sing the toreador’s song as well as the cabin boy’s call. Who upheld his life long the dignity of labor, And early claimed an Olympian call of overarching sympathy that like love creates new worlds from old. So let’s tell the fourth bead for the visionary: Who first in so many things, through silent protests and quiet pickets and early direct action Trekked across this land and voyaged around the world for all our civil rights and freedoms. From D.C. to London, from Togo to Cape Town, from Nairobi to Palestine, and back again, what moments are there, for us to recall? We’ll tell the fifth bead for the scholar: Who took a world view on race, and laid bare the foundations of this American dilemma that ruled the nation and controlled the world. xxi Centenary Memory Beads for Mr. Bunche What mementoes can be garnered by those who never knew him. What rite of memory can be performed? When memories begin to fade or falter coast to coast— from towering building to sculpture park— What is it they aim to recall? Let’s tell the sixth bead for the visionary diplomat: Who helped transform the League of Nations into a more lasting union when the world had had enough of war, Who believed like the prophet we could indeed beat swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks. What rite of memory can we implore for a lifetime ensuring we should study war no more? So let’s tell the seventh bead for the international servant: Strong in spirit and bold of mind whose métier was words forged in chambers, bedrooms, and conference halls To wake the nations, some to rise and claim their seats and some to lay their armor down. What rites of memory can recall the faithful Trustee whose negotiations were directed toward mutual respect among peoples? So tell the stories of the eighth bead of sacrifice: For the man who knew both early and grown too many losses of sudden deaths too young, xxii a b e n a p. a . b u s i a Who mourned mentors, colleagues, children, friends, In the exacting toll of service and never told the price he paid For other peoples’ treaties— Who wrestled a truce with words, a new colossus bestriding ancient gulfs. So let’s prize the ninth bead of the man of peace: And the nobility of his prayer— that there may be freedom and equality and independence won for the brotherhood of nations; That coming generations may find the path to the simple hope of a good life for all peoples, And the right to walk with dignity on all the world’s great boulevards “to make full use of the great good that is in us.” So we can call the last bead in simple dedication: For Mr. Ralph Johnson Bunche, on the centenary...