Habari Gani!! What’s the news today?! Today’s principle of the Nguzo Saba is Kujichagulia which means SELF-DETERMINATION!! More specifically it is translated as “to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.”
In regards to Kujichagulia Kwanzaa founder Dr. Maulana Karenga notes, “In a time in which occupation and oppression of countries and peoples are immorally presented as necessary and even salvational, the principle of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) rejects this and reaffirms the right of persons and peoples to determine their own destiny and daily lives; to live in peace and security; and to flourish in freedom everywhere.”
Consider these three questions as you embody Kujichaguilia:
1. Who am I? 2. Am I really who I say I am? 3. Am I all that I ought to be?
Have a conversation (with yourself, or with another person) about what truths you want to live into in this coming year.
Now what really hits home for me about Kujichagulia is that it truly has a personal meaning. Reflecting on this past year, can you identify ways your self-determination paid off? How did you take more control over your life?
So are you ready to channel your self-determination?
We are just a few short days from entering 2024, but I still got a few trailers to share before we leave! While this may be the last week of 2023, remember the trailers never end, they just continue forward. So let’s see what is in store as we finish out these last few days of 2023…
Check them out below:
Self Reliance (Streming on Hulu January 12, 2024)
Origin (In theaters January 19, 2024)
The Kitchen (Streaming on Netflix January 19, 2024)
Expats (Streaming on Prime Video January 26, 2024)
Shōgun (Streaming on FX February 2024)
Argylle (In theaters February 2, 2024)
The Regime (Streaming on Max March 3, 2024)
The American Society Of Magical Negroes (In theaters March 22, 2024)
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (Streaming on Netflix Summer 2024)
Habari Gani!! We have come to that time of year again, a time to celebrate an annual tradition of family, community, and culture!! So you ask what time it is…It’s Kwanzaa Time !!
Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana/Black Studies it’s a 7-day cultural festival beginning on December 26th and ends January 1st. Kwanzaa comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means “first fruits” in Swahili, an Eastern African language spoken in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Karenga wanted a way to bring African Americans together to remember Black culture.
While Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, especially in the Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of African descendants. It should also be noted that Kwanzaa is not a political or religious holiday, and is not considered to be a substitute for Christmas.
During this holiday celebration, families and communities “organize activities around the Nguzo Saba” (The Seven Principles):
In addition to the seven principles there are a total of nine symbols (in Swahili and English) that make up Kwanzaa:
Mazao (The Crops): These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.
Mkeka (The Mat): This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.
Kinara (The Candle Holder): This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people — continental Africans.
Muhindi (The Corn): This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup):This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.
Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles): These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.
Zawadi (The Gifts): These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
Bendera (The Flag): The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green – black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future that comes from their struggle. The Bendera is based on the national flag given to us by the Hon. Marcus Garvey, with slight adjustments in order and interpretation of the colors made in the 1960s along with many African countries.
Nguzo Saba Poster: The Nguzo Saba poster or some form of the written Nguzo Saba should always be a part of the Kwanzaa set. For it is these Seven Principles which give Kwanzaa its core and seven days of cultural focus.
Each symbol “represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contributive to community building and reinforcement.”
During this Kwanzaa celebration, I look forward to sharing a little knowledge on each principle and what you can do to take part in this welcoming tradition!! Make sure you stay tuned!!
Today’s principle is UMOJA which means UNITY!! What are you doing today to strive and maintain unity in our families, communities, nations, and the world!! #UMOJA#Celebration#Affirmation
How you can embody UMOJA today is by being kind to your sisters and brothers in order to help keep your family and community strong and happy?!
For more information check out the following links:
Season’s Greetings!! We are officially in the Christmas Holiday Season!! A wonderful time of the year to sing Christmas carols, light a candle for Hanukkah, bake some gingerbread cookies, check out the neighborhood Christmas decorations, or even travel with family and friends! While you are doing these fun things make sure you add a couple of literary treats in the mix too!!
Check out these December Book Recommendations below:
The Color of Family ~Jerry McGill
Joy and Pain: A Story of Black Life and Liberation in Five Albums ~ Damien Sojoyner
A Quick Ting on Crime ~Franklyn Adoo
The Changeling ~Victor Lavalle
The New Brownies Book: A Love Letter to Black Families ~Karida L. Brown
The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation ~Raquel Willis
Like Thunder ~ Nnedi Okorafor
The Spite House ~ Johnny Compton
As an extra bonus, here’s a Holiday Book List to get you further in the spirit!!
Now this is not a post about the best Christmas movies (although all my faves are on this list), but more of a celebration of Christmas movies. This is literally my favorite time of year when it comes to movies!! You have your classics that never get old and then the newbies that hopefully become classics! With this list, I made sure to include a good mix for both the kids, the adults, and everyone in between.
So as you continue to celebrate the Holiday Season make sure to take a little time to watch a movie or two with your family and friends, maybe even throw a Holiday Watch Party!! Nothing like starting some new traditions!
See my 25 Must-Watch Holiday Movies below:
Candy Cane Lane (Prime Video) [2023]
Dashing Through the Snow (Disney+) [2023]
The Naughty Nine (Disney+) [2023]
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix) [2020]
It’s that time of year again…Award Season is upon us!! With the releasing of the Golden Globe nominations on yesterday many of us could not wait to see who was in the running. Considering the lack of content (due to the writers and actors strikes) I was very curious as to who would get a chance at winning the golden statue. This was especially the case regarding Black excellence !!
So let me take a moment to highlight Black Excellence with the 2023-24 Golden Globe nominees, check them out below:
Best Actress in a musical or comedy (Film)
Fantasia Barrino, Celie in The Color Purple
Best Supporting Actress (Film)
Danielle Brooks, Sofia in The Color Purple
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers
Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Television)
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Best Actor in a Drama (Film)
Colman Domingo, Bayard Rustin in Rustin
Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy
Jeffrey Wright, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in American Fiction
Best Actor (Limited Series, Anthology, or TV Movie)
David Oyelowo, Bass Reeves in Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Best Original Song
Lenny Kravitz, “Road to Freedom”
Best Musical or Comedy Series(Television)
Abbott Elementary
Best Animated Film and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement in Motion Pictures
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Best Stand-Up Comedian On Television
Trevor Noah: “Trevor Noah: Where Was I”
Chris Rock: “Selective Outrage”
Wanda Sykes: “Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer”
The Golden Globes Ceremony will air live on CBS on January 7th, 2024, 8-11 pm/ET (You can also stream on Paramount+ and the CBS app).
Playing a little catch-up because I know it has been a minute!! But as you will see 2024 is gonna be a HOT already!! I know I can’t wait!! Check out the trailers below:
Season 2- What If…? (Streaming on Disney+ – December 22nd)
Season 4- The Boys (Streaming on Prime Video-2024)
Fool Me Once (Streaming on Netflix – January 1st, 2024)
The Book of Clarence (In theaters January 12th)
True Detective: Night Country (Streaming on Max-January 14th, 2024)
Masters of the Air (Streaming on Apple TV+ – January 26th, 2024)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Streaming on Prime Video – February 2nd, 2024)
Fallout (Streaming on Prime Video-April 12th, 2024)
Season 2-House of the Dragon (Streaming on Max-Summer 2024)
#GraduationSeason…. It’s that time of year again and once again I was overwhelmed with excitement and pride!! These AFAM graduates 🎓 were the highlight of the weekend !! Being able to watch many of them grow and mature as budding scholars fills my heart with joy !!
Every semester these students continue to affirm and confirm my purpose as a professor and a Black woman in higher ed!!
Thank you Kai Cumberbatch-Smith, Stephani Fowlkes, Taylor Givens, Taylor Gray, Amiya Hairston, Tarazha Jenkins, and Tania Kendrick !!
Another great class that goes in the books!!
A little snapshot into the Fall 2023 AFAM Graduation festivities!!
Congratulations 🍾 !! Now it’s time for you to change the world 🌍 !!
Black Future Feminist 