John – Habari Gani (what's the news)?!
We're still in the midst of #BlackXmas! As we enter the Kwanzaa season, we celebrate our “first fruits” – the harvest that comes from all of the work that we have done over the course of the year.
We are grateful for all who have poured their time, energy, resources, and souls into ushering in greater justice, and reflect on the Nguzo Saba (7 principles) that are essential to making Black freedom real.
Beyond nightly candle-lighting from December 26th through January 1st, below are some ways that we might consider putting these principles into practice:
December 26th: Umoja -- Unity
Come together with family, chosen family, and community to develop a list of collective victories. Write them down! (Stay tuned! A BLM 2021 “Claiming Our Victories” article is coming!)
December 27th: Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
Set your intentions! Write down at least 3 goals for the year. Share them with your family/friends/community so that we can encourage each other.
December 28th: Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility
Identify a Black-led/Black-serving organization to which you will donate your time and energy over the course of the next year.
December 29th: Ujamaa -- Cooperative Economics
#BuildBlack! Donate to a Black-led/Black-serving organization as an investment in freedom work. This Kwanzaa, we're encouraging folks to donate to the Love Not Blood Campaign, organized by the families of those killed by police and led by the families of #OscarGrant and #GailKeatonSmiley.
December 30th: Nia -- Purpose
Take at least 7 minutes to meditate. When coming out of meditative space, take a breath, and write down your life's purpose.
December 31st: Kuumba -- Creativity
Take a day of Black joy! Play good music! Dance! Laugh! Cook and eat good food! Have or join a party! Revel in all that is beautiful and commit to investing in spaces of joy on a regular basis.
January 1st - Imani - Faith
We can have the world of our most radical imaginings! Say that to yourself. Write down your imaginings, your vision for a free world. Engage in at least one spiritual practice that will bring it to fruition and commit to that spiritual work as part of your daily routine.
Again, asante (
thank you) for all that you have done to build a better world. Let's struggle forward to build a world of Black freedom and joy.
Tutaonana (peace),
Black Lives Matter
