Reimagining Kwanzaa
Introduction by Patrice Davenport
We hired a digital creator to design A.I. scenarios of what would happen if we blended Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid al-Fitr,Wakanda, and, Zamunda together. The algorithm spit out “Kwanzaa.” This scenario is tongue-and-cheek of course (but we did hire a digital creator), and the idyllic illustrations don’t lie. Perhaps the often overlooked holiday holds the key to a core set of principles amongst the multifceted prism of the African diaspora.
Though it was established by Dr. Maulana Karenga to counter the devastating impact of the Watts Riots in 1966, Kwanzaa is one of the few African American holidays, observed outside of the thematic frames of slavery, civil rights, or Black martyrdom. The week-long celebration may offer a unique and unexpected roadmap for personal self-actualization and collective action, for people of color.
Through customs designed to unite and empower observers, Kwanzaa incorporates themes of “first fruit” or harvest from thshanti and Zulu. Each day focuses on a different principle commencing on December 26th with Umoja (Unity), punctuated by Karamu (African Feast) a communal meal on December 31st, and culminating on New Year’s Day with Imani (Faith). The remaining principles are interspersed between these days, and focus on themes such as purpose, creativity, and collective economics.
Kwanzaa can be practiced with spouses, family, children, friends, and neighbors. The annual celebration provides a meaningful cultural addition or an alternative to the controversial historical origins and flagrant commercialism that pervades the American year-end holiday season. The timing of Kwanzaa provides an opportunity to check in with extended family and friends and come up with thoughtful ways to express gratitude, and make mindful plans for the year to come.
Post-pandemic and in the wake of the the Black Lives Matter protests, the traditionsof Kwanzaa provide a refreshing guidepost for individuals, friends, and family to strengthen bonds and create intentional goals. The following collection of essays and excerpts, encourage readers to reimagine Kwanzaa and consider its full potential as an unprecedented opportunity to assess and reflect upon our individual and collective potential. We hope to inspire creative adaptations of the holiday, and establish new and affirming traditions that incorporate the wonderful spirit of Kwanzaa!
“... an alternative to the controversial historical origins and flagrant commercialism that pervades the American year-end holiday season.”
Unity
Umoja | excerpt by DR. MAULANA KARENGA
Long before the concept and call of environmentalism emerged, the brilliant scientist and chemurgist, Dr. George Washington Carver, was an environmentalist concerned about both social justice and the well-being of the world. He taught that we should respect ourselves and others and he asked us to “neither look up to the rich nor down on the poor.” Rather we are to aid “the little and lowly people” in their struggles to overcome poverty and oppression and live lives of dignity and decency. Moreover, he taught us to love nature, listen to its speech, and learn its language and lessons for the good of humans and the world. And he asks us not to hoard, monopolize or be greedy in relation to the good of the world, but to be those “who take (their) share of the world and let other people have theirs.”
The concept and practice of saving and sustaining the world is unavoidably linked to humans equitably sharing the world and doing what ensures the well-being of the world. And the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, offers us a clear foundation and way forward for this. And thus, we are urged to relate rightfully, act justly and walk gently and humbly on the earth. The principle and practice of Umoja (Unity), teaches an ever-expanding sense of self through our sense of oneness with others and the world. With others we are fellow human beings (watu) with obligations of mutual respect, reciprocal solidarity and cooperation for common good. And in our relationship with the world, we are world beings (walimwengu), deeply embedded in the natural as well as social world, interrelated, interdependent and unavoidably responsible for the health, wholeness and well-being of both. Thus, we understand that damage to the world is damage to us and ecocide is a form of genocide, the end of all.
Article excerpt from: Practicing Kwanzaa and the Seven Princples: Ensuring the Well-being of the World (2021). Dr. Maulana Karega, is Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University Long Beach; Executive Director, African American Cultural Center; Creator of Kwanzaa; and author of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.
Self-Determination
Kujichagulia | by Vikisha Fripp m.d.
During the holiday season, we find ourselves both celebrating and reflecting. While wonderful blessings have been bestowed upon us, these blessings can be met with the angst of financial uncertainty, increasing violence, and global turmoil. With every click of the remote we hear and see images that fill our minds with doubt and increase our unease. These images are coupled with the bombardment of suggestions on social media attempting to define us through a single lens; numerous ads influencing our definition of beauty, and flooding our feed with influencers displaying filtered and distorted versions of happiness.
We are unavoidably shaped by these external forces but there is joy to be had. Times of upheaval and uncertainty bring the unique opportunity to pause, pivot and grow. Those images don’t have to be our truth.
The seven principles of Kwanza act as our guide for finding our truth. The principle, Self Determination (Kujichagulia) is focused on how we define, name, and create ourselves, as well as how we speak for and show up for ourselves. By harnessing the wonderful gift of self- determination we are in a better position to take steps toward self-actualization, or the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities.
We determine who we are in the world. The work of self-reflection requires answering Kujichagulia’s questions: What name will I answer to? What will I focus on? What creations will I endeavor to learn and display as a reflection of self? What is important to the advancement of self and community? Most importantly, what will I allow in my mind and heart?
Remember to set boundaries. Sometimes those boundaries are with self, such as taking steps to intentially limit time spent detached from the present, idly watching television, and or browsing social media. Most phones can gauge social media usage so hacks such as using the ‘hide’ features on social media to filter posts and ads will help retain those that make you smile, laugh, wonder, or reflect. My themes include exercise, food, performing arts, travel, and cooking. My common theme is clearly food.
Intentionally turn the television off. Your subconscious mind is always listening and absorbing the content of this background noise so be mindful. Don’t allow it to be the song of your life.
Be intentional with your words and actions. Negative thoughts make bad situations worse. Find the one positive thing on your job, in your home, in your world and focus on multiplying that thing and practicing gratitude. Allow positivity to guide your planning. RSVP to events that are new, different, engaging and supportive. Be present. This is one change that is easiest to make. While everyone likes to record the highlights of life, put your phone away and allow your eyes to capture the moment. Recall the details with an elaborate expression of words. Instead of snapping photos and taking videos, try journaling. You will immediately expand your vocabulary and excite your mind.
Extend yourself grace. Alexander Pope said, “To err is human.” There will be times when you will be wrong! Express mea culpa, assess the fallout, apologize if unintended harm was caused to others and identify opportunities for change. You may repeat this cycle several times in the course of your lifetime and that’s ok.
Celebrate your victories. Don’t be afraid to laud your accomplishments regardless of the size. If you don’t point out the wins, who will? It’s not bragging when it’s true. Speak positivity into your life and get comfortable reaping the rewards. Your real friends will toast you or the occasion with delicious food, night’s out, and champagne.
Practice being kind to yourself and to others. I give myself compliments during the day, saying “I like your lipstick”, or “Ok, hair!” I also freely give compliments to others. It is remarkable how quickly someone’s mood is elevated when you tell them you like their shoes, earrings, scarf, nose, eyebrows. We aren’t a monolithic society. Your body contours, hair texture, and skin hue is perfectly yours. As a plastic surgeon, I support personal decisions to make modifications that increase self-esteem. Showing up as the best version of ourselves is the goal.
Explore the need of others. Community is augmented by its members. Seek the council of family and friends to strengthen your village. Speak openly about your needs and listen to the needs of others. Finding common passions builds trust and allows for cooperative work.
Be comfortable living your truth in a fake world. You don’t have to wait until Kwanzaa to practice Self Determination or Kujichagulia. Start now and create a plan for how you will practice this pricniple in 2024.
Dr. Vikisha Fripp, MD, FACS, is an author and board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. A respected leader in her field, she has a passion for empowering others to find personal success and happiness beyond achievement. Dr. Fripp is actively involved in various organizations that promote children's welfare, literacy, and health. She is the author of The Other Side of Happy: How I Found Personal Success and Happiness When Hard Work Wasn’t Enough (2023). Learn more at www.drfripp.com
Collective Work & Responsibility
Ujima | excerpt by christopher cathcart
Without question, one of the greatest obstacles to increased volunteerism is the misconception that this vital work is reserved for some special breed of person; that it’s somehow the exclusive realm of the rich, powerful, uniquely gifted, spiritually anointed, or hopelessly bighearted. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I cannot accurately count the number of times I’ve heard comments like “that’s so you” or “you’re perfect for that type of thing” when speaking to friends and family about my community service work. For some, this thinking provides a convenient excuse for inaction, particularly if you believe you are not one of the chosen few.
It becomes a simple, unspoken, often subconscious decision to leave the work of making a difference to the so-called experts, stripping precious man- or woman-power from the already-slim volunteer ranks. In all fairness, however, if you consider the way society rightfully glorifies the superstars of public service, it’s not hard to understand how we fall prey to this mindset.
In fact, I completely understand and support praising folks, famous and otherwise, who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others. How can we not recognize and honor the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, and countless other heroes who selflessly dedicated their lives to public service? Nonetheless, if we allow our respect and admiration for these distinguished folk to solely manifest itself in the form of inactive awe, then we’ve lost sight of their greatest lesson to us—that their lives serve to inspire us to take up the fight in our own way.
Far too often, we indulge in empty idol worship, finding satisfaction in simply naming our institutions, children, and boulevards after them. I seriously doubt that these titans of public service, particularly those who died on the front lines, sacrificed as they did (and still do) so that they might one day have a park or monument dedicated in their honor. I’m compelled to believe they felt a higher calling, one based on the value of human life and the nobility of service. As Dr. King said: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
It makes no difference whether your role is to lead millions or to teach one child to read a single book; there is a place uniquely reserved for you to take up that fight.
Book excerpt from: The Lost Art Of Giving Back: A Helpful Guide to Making a Difference (2006) by Christopher D Cathcart.
Cooperative Economics
Ujamaa | by Irvin J. Hunt
Ujamaa, is on the fourth night of Kwanzaa, and stands for Cooperative Economics. The practice of pooling and protecting resources clearly resonated with Kwanzaa’s founder, Maulanu Karenga. Dr. Karenga, defined Cooperative Economics in his book “The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community & Culture” as the imperative “to build our own businesses, control the economics of our own community, and share in all its work and wealth.”
Karenga used the term Cooperative Economics to refer to a practice he observed in continental Africa and in the diaspora at large. Think of Esusus in Nigeria, Njangis in Cameroon, and Pawdnas in Jamaica--all savings and credit associations for the community’s benefit. The principle of Ujamaa cannot be upheld without supporting Black capital. It is also true that you cannot support Black capital without a comprehensive understanding of our wealth--not only of what we have, but who we are.
In the United States, the “secret” and “benevolent societies,” as they were known in the 1780's, were the first Black community institutions (after the church), founded to support widows and children. They covered burial and medical expenses, and assisted Blacks in acquiring business acumen, leadership skills, and loans. It wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century that these mutual aid organizations took on a similar form of present-day cooperatives.
From their inception, Black cooperatives often differentiated themselves from mainstream financial institutions. Making a profit was entwined with an ethical imperative to seek social justice, respect, and protection. Their altruistic missions extended to themes such as providing for our children and future generations, and to love ourselve and each other. One such example was the Freedom Farm Cooperative.
In 1968, civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer planted the seeds for a farm in Ruleville, Mississippi, reportedly with little more than about fifty pigs. They called it the “Pig Bank,” in which families would take a few pigs to breed some for their household then return a few for others. The Bank provided livestock to more than 860 families. And it supported Hamer’s edict that "all we need to prosper are some pigs and some gardens: our own food, our own land. “
On the success of the food sharing program, lovingly dubbed the “Oink-Oink Project,” Hamer received a federal loan to buy 680 acres for what she called her Freedom Farm Cooperative. Butterbeans, soybeans, cucumbers, kale—these were among the many kinds of produce that Hamer encouraged farmers to grow. She asked them to give back through some form of service, like tilling or weeding the land, but if they couldn’t, to take what they needed.
The farm included a daycare center, an African garment store and sewing factory, a farmer’s market run by children, a primary school, a fund for college scholarships, and housing. What Hamer called her “little co-op,” what we might call her “garden,” Freedom Farm was in the full meaning of the phrase “for us, by us.” It was a sprawling space where Blacks could gather and their children could play and attend school at some distance from racial violence. Women could work and be fairly paid and co-op members experienced the wealth of solidarity.
By 1976 the cooperative Farm closed its doors due to ecological and financial setbacks. But its spirit lives on every time we give money to help our loved ones bury their loved ones, tithe at church for a social justice cause, organize child care, start a discussion group on building Black wealth, open an account at a Black owned bank, nurse and feed our sick, and, of course, buy Black.
Ujamaa most literally translates from Swahili as “familyhood.” Cultivating the space and spirit of family is essentially what it means to share the wealth of who we are, in addition to what we have. Ujamaa is the fierce assertion that together we actually have so much to offer for ourselves, our communities, and our families.
When I light the fourth candle on December 29th, I’ll be celebrating Ujamaa with my four year-old son and my mom, among others. They have a ritual when they see each other that I’ll riff on that night. My mom likes to ask him, “How much does grandma love you?” They then open their arms wide as tree limbs and say, “this much!” I can’t think of a better way of beginning to teach my son the meaning of Ujamaa. How much can we be for each other? Together, who are we? This much!
Irvin J. Hunt is an Associate Professor of English and African American Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. He is the author of Dreaming the Present: Time, Aesthetics, and the Black Cooperative Movement (2022).
Purpose
Nia | by Lisa G. McCurdy, Esq.
Lisa G. McCurdy, Esq. is Managing Partner of The Wealth Counselor, LLC, a premiere, boutique estate and asset protection law firm that helps high net worth individuals and families establish generational wealth transfer strategies and philanthropic impact in their communities. www.thewealthcounselor.com
Values serve as a standard of behavior. Based on my nearly three decades of experience counseling high net-worth and ultra-high net-worth estate planning clients, I believe we all want to engage at a level, across the generations, such that our values, guiding principles, and wisdom are reflected in our legacy. When we are challenged to trace our most important values back to the source, a family member, faith, tradition, a positive or negative experience, gaining clarity on why those values are most important in our view, is what sets the framework for the most meaningful types of legacy plans.
And I am sure you would agree that people are positively impacted in every aspect of their lives when they take actions that will benefit others rather than themselves. Successful families have made this an integral part of family life. In the spirit of giving that which you have in service to others, let’s admit that it all starts with our “why!” So often the discussion on generational wealth is misguided, focusing exclusively on money--saving it and investing it. The missing link is preserving wealth!
Through intentional planning, strategic wealth transfer, identifying and training trusted fiduciaries to implement plans, and the essential series of purposeful, multi-generational legacy conversations, to align and focus the generations, true generational wealth can be realized. More often than not, we fail to plan. We don’t trust the system, often based on outdated notions and unfounded fear. However, when we fail to plan, share and engage future generations, develop relevant strategies, write it down, implement, and launch, we play right into the hands of those forces that hope we fail.
Those forces are ready to divide and conquer us for our land, tempt and distract generations from purpose-driven education and careers, coax us away from our farms, and legislate away our rights. These forces are expecting us to fail to plan, fail to connect with family, and facilitate meaningful conversations about legacy. Financial success does not serve your family if there’s no written plan, an implementable strategy to preserve and distribute wealth to the next generation through appropriately skilled fiduciaries. With no guide for the next generation, aligned with the principles and values that fuel your legacy, the likelihood of infighting, loss to unintended beneficiaries, confusion, and failure, are quite high.
Sharing your wisdom for the intended use and benefit of the wealth and other assets before the drafting and planning are key! This conversation goes beyond parceling off assets and identifying who gets what and when. Initiating legacy-defining conversations about your “why,” purpose, values, customs, and vision speaks to your life’s purpose. Without these multi-generational, meaningful forums that give voice, planning can lack intention and perspective, if you ever get around to planning at all. Let’s face it, most of us don’t enjoy discussing, death, dying, and disability. The encouraging news is that one’s purpose and legacy is about the celebration of life, the now and the future.
Creativity
Kuumba | by Arthelle Porter Burns
As a young wife and proud mother raising three young children in the 1980s-90s; the Kwanzaa holiday, and its seven principles really resonated with me. Kwanzaa was (and still remains) an effective way to impart cultural knowledge, and promote a healthy identity and self-esteem in Black children and teens.
In spite of growing up in Oakland during the Black Panther Party era; as a teen, I was unaware of the existence of the newly formed Kwanzaa holiday, founded by Maulena Karenga in 1966. But my parents raised me with self-awareness, and I was a child who truly enjoyed reading. Consequently, I developed a thirst for Black history, which manifested an interest in self-knowledge, self-acceptance and cultural advocacy.
Perhaps, because I was born on December 31st, I identify most with the sxth principle of Kwanzaa, celebrated that day as Kuumba or Creativity. As a naturally artistic, creative and resourceful person, I feel that Kuumba truly represents who I am, at the core. I found it easy to relate to the foundational aspect of the Kuumba principle--which translates to “do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.” What better way to achieve this goal than by educating our families about Kwanzaa and investing in the futures of all of our beautiful Black children?
Raising Black children during the 90’s was an ideal and colorful time; ripe with newfound Black imagery and representation in the media. For the first time in my life, there was easy access to an abundance of Black children’s literature and picture books in libraries and bookstores. I purchased “My First Book of Kwanzaa” for my immediate family and from that point on I eagerly pulled together all the necessary items for my first Kwanzaa ceremonial display and began what has become a revered annual holiday tradition for myself and my family for more than 30 years!
Kwanzaa is non-religious but spiritually based, and centers on celebrating and sharing fruits of the harvest. Our first celebration of Kwanzaa occurred in December 1990. With my hubby, our three children and a foster niece in tow, we enjoyed a snow trip in the foothills near Lake Shasta and celebrated Kwanzaa together in our little cabin, as the first snowflakes fell outside. This inaugrual celebration was low-key; we lit seven candles in the kinara (candleholder), with each candle representing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
“Do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.”
Arthelle Y. Porter Burns and her husband in 1993, celebrating Kwanzaa with their chidren.
From that experience, my creativity and ambition for celebrating Kwanzaa grew. I wanted to share our new holiday tradition and unity in a meaningful way by including extended family who lived in communities not far outside of the Solano County city we resided in. With a large family spread out across the Bay Area, I assigned a Kwanzaa night for the seven consecutive days of each principle; at the homes of various relatives; to honor the ancestors and bond over delicious soul food meals! Needless to say, driving to and fro, hosting each other, and representing each principle for seven nights starting the day after Christmas, proved to be too much of a good thing, despite the best of intentions!
The following year, I returned to my Kuumba origin and focused on my community in the Glen Cove neighborhood of Vallejo, CA. After all, my mom-sister-friends and I raising children began to see Kwanzaa as I did--an alternative to the commerciality and materialistic Eurocentric basis of Christmas. After all Kwanzaa was and is a holiday based on honoring family and generational ties, and pride in cultural heritage.
With hubby on board, we began to expand Kwanzaa beyond our household and invited neighbors, friends, and family with children over to share knowledge and celebrate our culture together. Being the humble “Kwanzaa Kuumba Queen,” I always encouraged participants to wear “afrocentric” clothing to stand out. There were arts and crafts so the children could create while learning about Kwanzaa and food, so parents could engage and participate in a relaxed and fun environment. It was important for all to learn about the symbols and their meaning, see how to set up the Kwanzaa display on the straw mat along with the kinara centerpiece, understand the seven principles, the African textiles and colors, and last but not least--find ways to adopt the holiday tradition in their own homes.
Kwanzaa was becoming a real thing in my community! As knowledge of the tradition spread, I began hosting Kwanzaa at a local community center. Forming local alliances with various leaders allowed for a Kwanzaa supportive partnership to grow and become even more inclusive. At one point myself and work colleagues began hosting an annual December Cultural Holidays event in the main library’s community room to display and share knowledge of Kwanzaa and festivities with various communities of color and learn of the December cultural traditions of others as well.
I’m proud to share that I have continued this important Kwanzaa tradition with my own grandchildren and their adult parents during the last week of December. In fact, I sometimes refer to this as our “ChristmaKwanzaa” time because we spend every Christmas Eve together.
As I reflect on Kwanzaa, I’m reminded of a full circle moment when my eldest daughter met Professor Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, when she was a student at Long Beach State; the university where Kwanzaa began more than 50 years ago! I’m am proud that my seven year old granddaughter has memorized and can eloquently recite the words to “I Am The Black Child'' by Mychal Wynn, which is a special poem and mantra that my children learned during Kwanzaa.
Today, more than ever, it is my hope and belief that new generations will embrace Kwanzaa and the seven principles as a meaningful way to socialize and instill unity, knowledge, pride and confidence in ourselves and across generations.
Arthelle Y. Porter Burns is a Match Support Specialist for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. A life long advocate for community youth, health and empowerment, Arthelle has volunteered with organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association; participating in Greater Bay Area Annual Walks to END ALZ since 2007.
Faith
Imani | by Michael Walrond
Like those Harriet Tubman encountered who did not “know” they were enslaved, who couldn’t imagine freedom, many today are not aware that they are unfree. I used to be one of those persons. I was unfree because it is easier to order my life by artificial standards, determined by others, in hopes that somehow I would be affirmed. I do not speak now as one who has fully arrived at the place of total freedom, but I have broken the chains and begun the journey of self-discovery.
How long are you willing to live with veiled ambitions, carrying dreams deeply hidden in your heart? How long will you continue to lose yourself in order to gain acceptance? How long will you continue to invest energy seeking to prove yourself to unproven people? How long will you mourn about being rejected by people, spaces, or places that cannot handle the enormity of you and your gifts?
Rebel. Be brave. The courage that lies deep within you is crying out for you to pursue freedom and live authentically. This is your season to harness the power of your God-given imagination and live the life that you were created to live. You cannot just speak of being free. You must tenaciously pursue freedom, because seeing the possibilities and never walking in them is misery. Let your imagination be the architect of an unbound reality that you construct. It may seem risky and challenging, but you will not be alone.
Book excert from: Searching for Agabus: Embracing Authenticity and Finding Your Way to You (2023) by Michael Walrond (Author). Michael Walrond is a popular keynote speaker and the pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church of New York City. He has lectured widely, including at Yale Divinity School and Morehouse College. He is a cohost with Al Sharpton of the nationally broadcast weekly radio program Keepin' It Real. He has appeared on or written for NBC News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Amsterdam News, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, CNN, and more.