 Today marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of Black community and culture. The holiday is centered around seven principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). You are encouraged to give from your heart, so Kwanzaa gifts are generally handmade. Collectively, the values of Kwanzaa represent my personal views of the holiday season. We should direct our attention to the importance of spending quality time with loved ones as opposed to spending tremendous amounts of money on expensive gifts.
Have you ever looked around a restaurant or even a party and noticed that almost all of the guests are glued to their phones? Studies show that one in four people spend more time socializing online than they do in person. Sometimes we just need to put the phone down. Creating space for quiet time allows us to simply be thankful for the people in our lives. Recently, I came across an incredible resource, We Buy Black. This website is designed to serve as a marketplace for Black owned businesses to sell their products and services worldwide. We Buy Black embodies the seven principles of Kwanzaa. As articulated on its website, the Black dollar only circulates within the community for 6 hours. Blacks face the highest rates of unemployment, poverty, and incarceration. However, Black owned businesses employ more Blacks than anyone other than the government. So, when you spend your money this holiday season, buy Black. We must support our own in order to work towards eliminating the systemic issues faced by our community. As we prepare to enter 2018, I challenge you to spend time on strengthening your relationships rather than spending your hard earned money on material things. I assure you, you will feel a renewed sense of gratitude and self-worth. Happy Holidays! Photo Credit: www.kwanzaalights.com
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