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Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga, and was first celebrated in 1966–67. (from Wikipedia.org)
I honestly have not ever put out an actual display like the one shown above, but I have wanted to for decades. My life just never really stops enough to do this as a single person with no children. Plus the celebration is about COMMUNITY so it seems like I should do this with someone.
Much like Carter G Woodson felt like the week of celebration of positive Black history should be and annual thing (which has now been upgraded to a whole month), I feel like the principles of Kwanzaa are hard to celebrate if the community doesn’t live the ideals all year long. I feel like even within the churches, there is not enough community in a lot of places to support a real coming together during this week of reflection on what Black life SHOULD be.
The stock images of Kwanzaa are of Black people in traditional African dress which in the neighborhoods I have lived in was not ever the style even on special occasions. I did have very culturally aware people in my life from time to time and that is why my heart wants to be in Kwanzaa even though the harsh reality around me point to life being otherwise.
In spite of all the media flash about how unfair Blacks are being treated, or perhaps because of it, I want to have hope that we as a community can embrace this annual celebration in truth without falling into the commercialization pattern of most other days (regardless of culture).
