Happy Kwanza

“N'uff said!”

“FYI...
KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements”

“I attended my first Kwanzaa celebration in early December! My daughter was taking a course called "African American Experience" and the class on my campus helped plan and run the celebration (she was the only white girl in the class). Since my daughter was part of the celebration, I decided to participate also. It was interesting.

Bat here is the really interesting thing: While the class was exploring the whole African-American roots thing, it turns out that the instructor's father went to high school in Watts with my aunts and uncles during the 30s. My daughter showed her instructor a 1934 yearbook with her father's name in it. Her father remembered my aunt. Here the class was trying to explore their African roots, and it turns out the white girl had a direct connection to the instructor's past.”

“yo...happy kwanza”

“People moving out, people moving in
Why, because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run but you sho' can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on

Well, the only person talking 'bout 'love thy brother'
Is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning
But the teacher

Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation

Ball of confusion, oh yeah
That's what the world is today, hey”

“Right On.”

“happy kwanza happy kwanza! my birthday is on kwanza!”

“...is that like some kind of Kung Fu move?”

“Kwanza is a "non-religious" week-long celebration between Christmas and New Years invented in the 60s and practiced mostly by people of African decent. Each day is devoted to a virtue. It looks to me like it is designed to teach young people about hard work and determination.

(My daughter got to help plan and run the Kwanza celebration at our campus two years ago...she was the only white person in the "African Experience" class! So I went and participated also.)

I haven't noticed it really catching on anywhere. Have you?”

“Thanks Phil. Guess it's true that one learns something new everyday.”