The holiday season is ending, and we have celebrated, feasted on delicacies, and shared lots of love and laughter. Our last holiday has started today, which is Kwanzaa. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga and is based on African Harvest Festival traditions from various parts of West and South Africa.
Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th – January 1st and its first celebration was in 1966 and was created after the Watts riots as an African American holiday. Kwanzaa was designed for us to celebrate our history and culture. There are seven days Kwanzaa, and each day has its own principle which are:
Day 1 Unity: this principle is for us to strive for unity in our family and community. This principle is needed in the time we live in today and we must unify on so many levels, and I am sure we would see change in our lives and neighborhoods.
Day 2 self – determination: to define and name ourselves, create and speak up. This simply means being confident in who you are, we are unique, strong, and educated and we can be bold and confront and build things without fear when we know who we are.
Day 3 collective work and responsibility is to build our community and help our brothers and sisters. I see so much change for us with small businesses and being creative. We mustcontinue to support and promote change in our community.
Day 4 cooperative economics: to build and maintain our own stores and other businesses and profit from them. There are many black organizations that focus on business development and growth, like the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce who has helped the black community stay visible, strong, and successful.
Day 5 purpose: our collective goal is to build up and develop our communities. This principle makes me think of home ownership and redevelopment of our neighborhoods. We need to get the proper help and finances to build and restore, so we can provide safe living conditions for families.
Day 6 creativity: to do as much as possible to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than it was when we inherited it. We need to make a difference not just in our homes, but in the community.
Day 7 Faith: to believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. This needs no explanation and on the last day of Kwanzaa I would say this is the best and most powerful principle.
Join me in celebrating Kwanzaa as this year ends!
Nikki
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