Kwanzaa is an African-American Holiday that celebrates family, culture, and community. In 2014, Kwanzaa came just in time for me. It is sometimes exhausting to live in a country that misunderstands and appropriates your culture. It is even more tiring to have to your very existence be regarded as a threat worthy of punishment. I love Detroit. It is where my heart is happiest, but it is has been difficult not to become jaded by the way the city is being “revitalized.” My people, the people who have wanted and deserved change for Detroit for decades, are not well-represented in this new swing of success for the city.

Though I am happy to see my city grow. I am saddened to see it only happening in Downtown, Midtown, and Corktown. Because most Brown people live in the neighborhoods. So this year, Kwanzaa was a reminder that I am part of a community and my work and place matter.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are as follows:

1. Umoja= Unity

To stive for and MAINTAIN unity in the family, community, and race.

2. Kujichagulia- Self-Determination 

To define ourselves,  name ourselves, and speak for ourselves. We have a voice in this world.

3. Ujima- Collective work and Responsibility 

Your problems are my problems and we will solve them together (something I think Detroit could benefit from)

4. Ujamaa- Collective Economics 

Own our own stores and businesses and profit form them together (Detroit is the place for this to happen. We need to cultivate more youth from Detroit. We need to raise business owners, not employees. Marcus Garvey…. THANK YOU

5. Nia- Purpose

To make our collective duty the building and developing of our community

6. Kuumba- Creativity 

Do everything you can to make your community more beautiful.

7. Imani- Faith 

To believe in our people, our children, our parents, our teachers and our righteous struggle.

I love all people. No other people is punished for and asked to apologize for BEING more than Black folks. Kwanzaa is an unapologetic celebration of our  being. And for that reason, it is so crucial and was right on time. PEACE.