The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are more deeply understood by examining the cultural philosophy and ethic of Ubuntu, the foundation of many traditional African societies. Ubuntu was considered to be the ultimate African virtue. Ubuntu expressed itself as: respect full humans and human life, interdependence, empathy, harmony, solidarity, and sharing, caring, characteristics found in...
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Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven guiding principles for building and restoring healthy and nurturing families and strong and supportive communities. As values which guide our thought and practice, it is paramount that we practice these principles daily. At the end of the year, December – January 1, we take assessment of...
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Root and Branch: Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and the Struggle to End Segregation Author: Rawn James The Supreme Court 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education is widely considered one of the milestones of the civil rights movement. James Rawn explores the two men,  Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall, and the...
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Kwanzaa gift giving underscores and highlights the imperative of education and learning. The guidelines for Kwanzaa gift giving are straightforward: the only mandatory gift for Kwanzaa is gift giving is not mandatory a book and heritage symbol. (See Kwanzaa DVD). Below is a list of recommended books for Kwanzaa gift giving. New Books Of...
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The study and celebration of African American History is a central component of Kwanzaa. The Kwanzaa symbol, the mat or mkeka (Swahili), is symbolic of the tradition and history of African Americans both here in America and on the continent of Africa. As Malcolm X so brilliantly put it, “History is a people’s memory,...
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Michelle and I send warm wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. This is a joyous time of year when African Americans and all Americans come together to celebrate our blessings and the richness of our cultural traditions. This is also a time of reflection and renewal as we come to the...
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The current debate over educational excellence, characterized by President Obama’s Race to the Top, overlooks one of the most inspiring and compelling models of teaching and African American educational excellence-Dunbar High School, located in Washington D.C. What is now called a typical “ghetto” school was once the pride of the race, out performing in...
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In most African societies, riddles are a form of art. They are simple and elegant ways to communicate a lot of meaning in few words. Riddles play an important role in the traditions of African speech and conversation.  Like proverbs, African riddles are brief and based on observations of nature. However, with riddles, the...
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African Proverbs Proverbs are the distilled genius of cultures. They identify and dignify a culture, bringing life into wisdom and wisdom into life. The purpose of African proverbs, just like any others, is to give people a sense of what’s right and wrong and teach them how to behave in a society.  Proverbs have...
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Although Kwanzaa is a cultural and not religious holiday, those who practice the Christian Faith in America, can use the principles of Kwanzaa to build and enhance their families and  communities, and elevate the political dialogue on issues of importance to all Americans.  Hence, 7 days before the start of Kwanzaa, we offer this...
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