Habari Gani!
It's the first day of Kwanzaa. Let's start a new beginning.
I’ve written about Kwanzaa a lot over the years. I’m not an expert, but I did celebrate as a kid. Growing up in Newark, NJ, I remember those gatherings fondly.
At the time, I didn’t realize that other people didn’t celebrate it, much less know what it was. Now, I realize how precious and rare are the few of us who grew up with these principles and practices.
Just as I was looking up stock photos here (powered by Unsplash) to write this post, there were no pics that came up in the search for the term “Kwanzaa.”
wassup with that?
Anyway, I’ve had the pleasure of bringing my authenticity into my writing, and this is one of those times of year when I get to unleash all of myself. I wrote an article for Real Simple magazine exploring the history of the holiday and its meanings.
Read here for more: https://www.realsimple.com/kwanzaa-history-meaning-8407786
Today honors unity. My article reads, “Umoja (Unity): Emphasizes unity within families, communities, and the African diaspora. Observe it by lighting the first candle, representing unity, on the Kinara.”
Today, I hope you’ve found a moment to be in community.
If you haven’t yet, please seek and seize the opportunity.
Whether you’re uniting behind a purpose-driven group on- or offline, now is the time to see yourself as a significant part of a whole that is much bigger than you.
My small effort to that effect was going to dinner with a couple of friends and reconnecting with everything that’s gone on since I last saw them. I learned a lot. Much has changed but much has stayed the same. We shared laughs. And it broke me out of my self-centered bubble for just a few hours.
I even got a special treat — another diner happened to be someone who knew about my academic book. She’s been trying to buy it and wants to learn more about my research. One of the people I dedicated the book to is her sister, who has since passed on. Our world is small. And today, I felt in union with both my past and my present. My writing world united with my real life in such a beautiful way. Umoja!
As the calendar year draws to a close, I want you to know that I wish the best for you!
I look forward to sharing the rest of 2023 in your good company and writing a vision for 2024 that respects and unites us all.
