All in The Same Boat

The expression, we’re all in the same boat is one personally used since childhood having heard it so many times from my parents who lived during World War II as children suffering the brunt of German bombers. During the war they had food rationing, were sent away from London to aunts and uncles, and my mum even started work at 14 years old in London. Times were tough!

We’re All In The Same Boat by Banksy

Typical British rationing during World War 2 included weekly rations of 2 oz butter, 4 oz bacon/ham, 4 oz margarine, 4 oz cooking fat, 2 oz cheese, 8 oz sugar, and 1 fresh egg. Milk (3 pints) and jam (1 lb every two months) were also provided, along with 2 oz of tea. Meat was rationed by price, and while many foods were restricted, vegetables and potatoes were not rationed but heavily promoted for home-growing, and American-imported Spam was a popular, unrationed protein.

A Brazilian woman wrote, “No, we're not in the same boat. Don't be ridiculous. We're in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your boat might sink... and mine might not, and vice versa. For some, quarantine is great! A time to reconnect... work is going smoothly, etc.

For some, it's a crisis!

For others, it's peace... a time to rest. Vacation.

For others, it's a time of torture: "How am I going to pay my bills?!"

Some are worried about which Easter egg they're going to eat today... Kinder or Lacta... Some are worried about whether they'll have enough bread to eat until the end of the week, whether the rice and beans will be enough.

Some are working from home on the farm... others are scavenging to survive.

Some want to go back to work because they have no money left.

Some want to kill those who want to go back to work because they're not thinking about money; after all, they already have a savings account and don't need to worry about it.

Some have faith in God that we will see many miracles in 2025.

Others say the worst hasn't even arrived.

So... No, friend, we're not in the same boat. We're going through the same moment, but with COMPLETELY different perceptions, experiences, and needs. And we will each emerge from this storm differently.

That's why, at this moment, it's so important to see beyond what we see. To see beyond political parties, beyond religion, beyond our own navel... Don't belittle someone else's pain because you don't feel it, don't judge someone else's good life because you don't know what they went through to get there... simply don't judge.

Let's judge less. Both those who don't have and those who have plenty. Both those who want to go back to work and those who want to stay home. After all, we're in different boats, brother! Speak for yourself.”

The above picture which was created by well respected British artist Banksy's "We're All in the Same Boat" mural, was created during the 2021 "Great British Spraycation," symbolizes unity and shared responsibility during difficult times, depicting three children in a makeshift boat bailing water, with one looking ahead and another looking back, all under the poignant slogan "We're all in the same boat". The artwork encourages collective action and empathy, highlighting that everyone faces shared challenges and that solidarity is crucial for overcoming them. 

I believe we are all in the same boat as human beings having a mind that nourished well can accomplish great deeds of excellence. Yes, circumstances are different, however, we have the inner strength to make decisions that can enhance our situation momentously. Everyone goes through ups and downs. Some suffer more than others. However, we can make the most of our journey.

The real beauty is we hold the key to our future!

Take care!

Prof. Carl Boniface