Fix Holidays Opinion

Kwanzaa’s Principles Celebrate Tradition

By Charles Perosino
Junior Reporter
TOLLAND, Connecticut, U.S.A. — Do
you celebrate Kwanzaa?  If you don’t,
there is no need to worry since I don’t celebrate it either.
Even if you, like me, are not of
African-American heritage, we can all learn something from the holiday of seven
days that celebrates African-American heritage and history.
For each day of Kwanzaa there is a
principle, and although mainly directed at those of African heritage in
America, each principle is something that everyone can learn from, every day of
our lives.
This time of the year is a great
time to learn from the past and look toward the future during the seven-day
celebration of Kwanzaa that began on December 26.
The first principle of Kwanzaa,
dedicated to the first day is Umoja,
or unity.  Every family, every nation,
every religion, and every race live life together on this planet and should
strive to come and stay together during times of glory and hardship.
Kujichagulia, or self-determination is the second
principle of Kwanzaa.  You are the only
person that truly knows how you feel, and need to speak up and define yourself
in order to spread the word to others.
Ujima, or collective work and responsibility, is dedicated to the third day
of Kwanzaa.  As a world community, we
need to solve our problems together and not create more strife for the human
race.
The fourth principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa, celebrated on the
fourth day, is dedicated to cooperative economics.  When you are a business owner, you can profit
in many ways from cooperation with the community.
Nia, or purpose, is the fifth principle of Kwanzaa.  In our daily lives, we must ask ourselves
what our purpose is, and what it is to be successful and remembered for being a
wonderful human being.
Kuumba, or creativity, is what the sixth and
second to last day of Kwanzaa is about.
Every day, we must think and act creatively, and make sure that we leave
the world a better place than when we got here.
Imani is the final day of the celebration of principles.  Faith is the focus. Even if you are not
religious, you can apply believing in others to help you through your
struggles, as well as their faith in you for when they need help.
Kwanzaa ends on New Year’s Day, when empty resolutions are made all
across the world.
Be realistic, and stick to your commitment to the world and everyone
around you when you make real resolutions, and be sure to always remember the
seven principles of Kwanzaa.