Happy Kwanzaa | Happy New Year
This year was my first year celebrating Kwanzaa. I enjoy the holidays, Christmas in particular, through my kids. Ethan is at an age where most of the gifts he’s genuinely excited about are digital, which doesn’t leave much under the tree. Less than an hour after opening gifts, he was back doing what he usually does1. Lennox probably had double the amount of physical presents. Still, he doesn’t know what Christmas is yet and is happy just tearing the wrapping paper off anything and everything. After becoming parents, most things we do simply for our children’s joy.
Previous Christmas’ I will admit I could be a grinch. But instead, I’ve pivoted towards embracing it, making the best of it to make positive memories. Last year I wanted to celebrate Kwanzaa but didn’t lift a finger to actually make it happen. This year I did. I ordered the candles, a kinara (the candle holder), and a mkeka (the placemat). I researched the history of Kwanzaa and learned about the core principles and symbols. I’ve found myself currently in a season of growth. Seeking and consuming knowledge that I’d wish I’d come across years ago. The Kwanzaa principles are principles explicitly designed for the African American community to uplift us as individuals and as a whole. For those interested, here’s a great breakdown. I shared them with Ethan and plan to do so every year going forward with the hope that they become a part of his and Lennox’s mindset and drive them to be their best selves.
Seven Core Principles of Kwanzaa
- Umoja: Unity
- Kujichagulia: Self-Determination
- Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility
- Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics
- Nia: Purpose
- Kuumba: Creativity
- Imani: Faith
In discussing each new principle with Ethan, I learned that these principles were already a part of my core beliefs to a degree. However, seeing them collected and elaborated on painted a clearer picture for my son and me. At nine years old, some of the terms he wasn’t familiar2 with and some he was. We learned together meanings intended by Kwanzaa’s creator Dr. Maulana Karenga. Principle two, self-determination, led to the most extended conversation. I’ve been trying to impress upon Ethan he can do and become literally anything he wants to be and do. Even now, I randomly ask him what he wants to be when he grows up. The answer going into 2022 is currently video game designer. My purpose in asking him is not to box him in but to trigger him to give his life thought. We talked about his purpose and mine on day 5 when Purpose was the focus. People who keep their purpose at the forefront and factor it into life decisions live happier lives. Purpose is fluid, but your path should always align with it. Ethan immediately grasped Kuumba, creativity and related it to creating characters and levels in video games. Dr. Karenga expands on this principle stating we should use our imagination to improve our community and leave it better than we found it. I love that the through-line between each principle is a sense of community.
A man got to have a code.
Omar Little, The Wire
I will admit my biggest fear is failing as a father. Even though I know I can provide all I can and impart every ounce of knowledge, I understand it is up to the individual to apply it. That being said, I want my sons to 1. know themselves and 2. live a happy life on a fulfilling path. The final principle Imani, faith, encapsulates the previous six. It means to have faith in yourself, the members of your family, and your community.
Omar Little once said, “a man got to have a code.” The Kwanzaa principles can be a guide or a framework. They are principles to consider every day of the year and not just during the seven days of Kwanzaa. Most importantly, the principles arm individuals to overcome our most significant challenge: ourselves.
