Self Determination

The second day into Kwanzaa and we are reflecting on what it means to “define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves” through the principle of Kujichagulia.

Fittingly, today was the Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Rites of Ancestral Returns, at the NYC based African Burial Ground.  Two of the speakers consisted of U.S Olympian Tommie Smith and Mayor David Dinkins. The life work of the two are clear examples of Self Determination. The barriers and discrimination that they both had to overcome were enormous, yet they didn’t allow the odds to limit or determine all that they were destined to be.

Today, with so much more access, and availability of resources, I think we all need to ask ourselves; how are we honoring our ancestors and those that paved the way for us.  Are we creating our own stories by way of leveraging opportunities that will have a lasting impact far beyond our individual selves?

**For the duration of the Kwanzaa season, the greeting is Harabi Gani (what’s the news)? Your reply  is that days principle along with whatever else you’d like to share on it.**

 Spread Love, It’s the BrooKlyn Kisha Way!

Day Two: Self Determination