Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 December 2004 — Page 4

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2004

^Community Health Network It's your Community”

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EDUCATION DOES MAHER Keep Hie spirit of Kwanzaa going all year long

By LEROY ROBINSON As we conclude the sevenday celebration of Kwanzaa, it is time once again to reflect on the principals and define a vision for the future practicing of the seven principals. It is always nice to feel the spirit of Kwanzaa and to see the many culturally conscious African Americans practice ideas presented in the celebration. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word and it means “first fruits.” Kwanzaa was first practiced in 1966 and it runs for seven days, beginning Dec. 26-Jan. 1. This time was set aside for family and friends to come together and rekindle the spirit of family and community with support, encouragement, and positive energy. One of the Kwanzaa principals are to be practiced each of the seven days. The seven principals are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia’(self-determina-tion), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). As we reflect on these seven principals, we should always start with ourselves and acknowledge how we as individuals practice them. Also, the focus should not solely be on if we practice them, but how often. It is great to participate in the ceremonies and to discuss the manner in which many of us attempt to participate in a celebration that is solely created for African Americans to praQjticj?,during the winter holiday season. But it is imperative that we take these principals a step further and practice them daily and throughout the entire year. Since African Americans are

the only cultural group in America that really has no individual identity, it is good to know that we have a holiday tradition that we can call our own. Other culture groups have a country of origin to identify and connect with, but most African Americans only have the entire continent to call home. Although the large majority of us are clearly more American than African, Kwanzaa is a celebration that can be used to highlight the rich cultural identity of African Americans. But as I again review the seven principals, I really don’t see them being carried out on a large scale within the Afri-can-American community. Let’s be clear, you do not have to participate in the celebration of Kwanzaa to practice the seven principals. I see many signs of Imani (faith) and Kuumba (creativity) being practiced within our families and communities. Happily, I also see some families and individuals that are practicing Nia, and living with a purpose. However, it is the Umoja (unity), the Kujichagulia (selfdetermination), the Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and the Ujamaa (cooperative economics) that our community is lacking. Far too many African Americans are looking for others outside of our community to correct and mend all the negativity that impacts our community. Individually and collectively we hold all of the answers to our problems. Not the government, not the Democratic or Republican president, and not the many social service programs that are in abundance in the African-American community. But it is the other three, the unity, the collective work and responsibility, and the cooperative economics that we

need to improve upon in order to move our community forward. The practicing of these three principals is what needs to take place in order to improve the masses, the majority, and the millions of African Americans who are unable to live and participate fully in the American dream. Although some may view Kwanzaa as a religious holiday that is designed to replace Christmas, which it is not, or a “pro-Black” radical celebration, which is celebrated by those Blacks that are rebelling against the system, which they are not, or an event that is antiwhite, which it is not, it is imperative that these individuals look more closely at the specific principals as opposed to the African words or origins. Although connecting to African principals and concepts should be very relevant to today’s African Americans, it is the simple application of the principals from the seven- day celebration that masses of African Americans need and should consider practicing for 365 days, not for the designated seven. Happy New Year as you practice the seven principals throughout the entire 12 months of 2005 and beyond. Leroy Robinson is author of the newly released book, Fall From Grace: The Family Crisis in Black America, currently on sale at X-Pression Bookstore & Gallery, located at 970 Fort Wayne Ave., Indianapolis, IN., (317) 264-1866. For speaking engagements or education workshops, contact Robinson at: educationdoesmatterfa fiotmail.com or write: 9701 E. 63rd St., Indianapolis, IN. 46236. For questions or comments, call (317) 502-0272.

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