contributed photo
I grew up in Harlem New York, in a family that gave me a strong and positive sense of self – brown skin and all. I thank my family for that. My parents, affirmations from our church, and my siblings, who demonstrated what black pride meant. It was an advantage having my siblings; I observed how they navigated through the world, proudly holding on to their love of African culture in music, art, and dress.
I also grew up witnessing police brutality and teachers discouraging black children from pursuing higher goals. Add to that the depiction of Blacks in the media, all the news stories that uniformly reported on us in a negative light. It seeped into my psyche. At times, I could feel the sting of shame for being in my brown skin.
Deep in my spirit, I rejected those thoughts. But there was still something missing.
Thirty years ago, I found the needle in a haystack that was a way to articulate the truth: the African American cultural celebration of Kwanzaa. Today, January 1, is the last day of Kwanzaa. And this new year, like every year, it means even more to me.
One word comes to mind as I reflect on Kwanzaa: foundation. The principles and symbols offered me a firm cultural foundation. It was the key that opened my mind to see beyond the false, negative narratives and racial indoctrination of “American” history.
Finding Kwanzaa pushed me to seek out our historic truth. I listened to elders or griots sharing stories and resources at Kwanzaa celebrations. It allowed me to no longer feel ashamed about being a descendant of enslaved people. After all, the reason I exist is because my ancestors made it through the degradation, humiliation and more. Learning about Kwanzaa expanded my view on the history and accomplishments of Black people in these United States.
The more I learned, the more I adopted the celebration in my life. Oddly enough, my enthusiasm for the celebration was met with contention, as some friends and acquaintances challenged my observance. Many erroneously thought that Kwanzaa was a replacement for Christmas. Others challenged me by saying, “Oh, that is a made-up holiday.” My retort was “aren’t all celebrations made up?” That would pretty much end the conversation on Kwanzaa.
Over the decades, I was joined by many others in attending feasts (karamu) filled with African drumming, dancing, foods, poetry and singing. Many also included marketplaces filled with Afrocentric items and hand-made goods.
Today, I realize that if I reject Kwanzaa as part of my culture, all I have are historical lies that I have been indoctrinated to believe. My ancestor’s history is one that I am still uncovering. I am a descendant of enslaved people whose culture has been ripped from us. We have to wade through half-truths and untruths. Grabbing on to Kwanzaa has been a mind- and life-saver for me.
The seven principles and symbols are what I learned first, so I offer them here in Swahili (and English):
- Umoja (unity),
- Kujichagulia (self-determination),
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility),
- Ujamaa (collective economics),
- Nia (purpose),
- Kuumba (creativity), and
- Imani (faith).
The seven symbols are: kinara (the candle holder), mkeka (mat), mishima saba (seven candles), mazao (crops), kicombe cha umoja (unity cup), muhindi (ear of corn to represent each child) and zawadi (gift, either hand-made or educational).
I carry the principles as my own cultural foundation into the new year, thirty years after my first introduction to Kwanzaa. Living in a country with so much racial injustice, in the deep throes of the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought to light the deep health disparities in communities of color, and led by a government that has been sowing discord on many levels, I carry the light of Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Collective Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.
And I can see some hopeful spots. On January 20, 2021, a new President and Vice President will take their oaths of office. The work of race relations in my town and groups will continue. I will learn and share more historical truths. We will move deeper into healing and better understanding.
We just need the Imani (faith) to make it there.
Wishing you light, happiness, and peace in the coming year. Happy Kwanzaa!
To reach Jolyn directly: jolynwalk@yahoo.com
Beautiful, Jolyn! Thank you so much for sharing your heart.
Inspiring thinking, Jolyn. Thankful for crossing by this article and reading it 🙂 I recommend reading about the work of Karim Abouelnaga if you do not know about it, you will like it.