kwanzaa 2017
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Habari Gani?! Imani! The Black Women of Alabama Embodied Faith in 2017
Faith. George Michael crooned about it; black people in America somehow maintain it—even if it’s the size of a mustard seed—time and time again. Faith, or Imani, is the last principle of Kwanzaa, the weeklong black cultural holiday started more than half a century ago. This entire week, for each day of Kwanzaa, The Root shone…
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Habari Gani?! Kuumba! Robin Thede Embodied Creativity in 2017
This year, for each day of Kwanzaa, The Root is highlighting one person from the community who exemplifies the principle of the day. On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 31, the principle is Kuumba, or “creativity.” To practice Kuumba is to do always as much as we can, in the way that we can,…
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We Need to Talk About the Teddy Pendergrass Kwanzaa Carol
[This post originally ran on Dec. 30, 2017.] If you’re reading this, it’s too late. I’m pretty sure I’m either dead, in “the upside down” or caught in some existential interdimensional prank show hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. This can’t be real life. Someone should call up Willie D or Scarface, because I think I…
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Habari Gani?! Nia! Colin Kaepernick Embodied Purpose in 2017
This year, for each day of Kwanzaa, The Root is highlighting one person from the community who exemplifies the principle of the day. On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 30, the principle is Nia, or “purpose.” To practice Nia is to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order…
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Ankara, Ankhs and the Ongoing Appropriation-vs.-Appreciation Argument: Is There a Right Way to Rock African Style?
We’ve been celebrating Kwanzaa Week here at The Root, which, for The Glow Up, also meant thinking up new outfits to wear for each night of the festivities celebrating the seven principles of what many lovingly call “Black Hanukkah.” Fun fact: I love African fashion, iconography and decor; always have. I love wax prints (yes,…
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Habari Gani?! Ujamaa! Chance the Rapper Embodied Cooperative Economics in 2017
This year, for each day of Kwanzaa, The Root is highlighting one person from the community who exemplifies the principle of the day. On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 29, the principle is Ujamaa, or “cooperative economics.” To practice Ujamaa is to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to…
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Why Kwanzaa Is Lit Like 7 Red, Black and Green Candles
Each year, there are new essays or snide conversations about how black people don’t celebrate Kwanzaa. But I’m here to tell you that some of us do. Some of us have been doing it for decades. Yeah, I’m that unicorn. My mother is from Cincinnati and she grew up with Christmas, but when she had…
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The Race: How I’m Gonna Get in Shape, Fight Gentrification and Celebrate Kwanzaa in 2018
I know what you’re doing this week. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is when you start digging online looking at gyms, low-cost personal trainers and yoga classes—because this year you’re going to get in shape. Seriously, no excuses this time. Mind you, there’s always a risk for black folks trying out New…
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The 2017 Kwanzaa Week Gift Guide
… On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, P-Nut gave to meeeee: Fiiive keeeente clooooths! Four calling cards, three French braids, 20-inch dubs and an African print dashikiiii! Pardon me, I was just practicing my Kwanzaa carols. But this does raise an important question about Kwanzaa. In our quest to #MakeKwanzaaGreatAgain, have we overlooked an important…
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Habari Gani?! Ujima! Patrisse Khan-Cullors Reflected Collective Work and Responsibility in 2017
This year, for each day of Kwanzaa, The Root is highlighting one person from the community who exemplifies the principle of the day. On the third day of Kwanzaa, Dec. 28, the principle is Ujima, or “collective work and responsibility.” To practice Ujima is to build and maintain our community together, and to make our…