Black History Month.

Is it just me or is Black History not what it used to be like when we were in elementary school? Teachers made it their mission to teach us about the same historical African American figures. 

They taught about Martin and his dream, Harriet and her railroad, Mr. Carver and his peanuts, Booker T. Washington creating Tuskegee, and even Madam CJ Walker who gave us blacks the gift of straight, manageable hair...that was it. We just knew them and what they did...we memorized their names and their significance.

The routine of memorizing these figures made most of lose our sense of connection to these people...these people whose pictures we would see...whose stories we would read. After a while, most of us got over them and their stories.

Maybe it is because I have grown into a woman or maybe it is because I have come to have a deep passion for African Americans and their stories, but I am disappointed in what we have become as a people in America.

I tutor intercity children in Washington D.C., my kids range from kindergarten to the third grade. The other day during reading time, I tossed the book aside and decided to ask them if they knew the significance of the month we're in (February); they did. I asked them if they could name any historical black figures and what they did (They gave me names, but could only tell me the conventional "he had a dream, she had a railroad, he made peanuts, etc."

It saddened me that these children did not know more about their people; that they did not know the struggle and pains that some of these people went through in order to ensure that future generations, like theirs, could have the things we take for granted now; a good education, jobs, equality, etc.

I am a part of a generation that would rather drop out of school and work for below minimum wage than graduate and obtain a career.

It is sad to see the descendants of Egyptian royalty, of the Ashanti tribes; people of the great African kingdoms subjected to the mindset that they can only achieve a certain amount of greatness- assuming they can even achieve anything at all.

Where are the black activists of my generation that strive to spread self-identity and cultural awareness? Where are OUR black fathers to teach their sons respect and hard work while teaching their daughters what it is like to have a good man? Where are OUR mothers to set an example for their daughters? Depleting. Diminishing. Disappearing.

My brothers and sisters a change must come and it must begin with us, now. We must remember who we are and what we come from. We must remember that we are placed on this Earth for a reason. We must remember that we set the stage for the generations to come and we influence what happens in the future.

We must celebrate Black History Month and remember those that paved the way for us to be who we are; to have the freedom and opportunities that we have.  

xoxo,

J.Nne

Happy New Year!!!!

First and foremost I'd like to welcome you all to the year 2011!

...I'm not one to make New Year resolutions because I tend to give myself unattainable goals and end up giving up by the 4th month (Don't we all though?)

I figure that I'm just going to aim for greater things in the future and I hope that you all do to!

P.S::: I got the cutest little clutch yesterday. Très belle!

xoxo,

Miss Nwoka

Kwanzaa::: The story.

    I enjoy learning about different cultures and what they celebrate. I'm Nigerian, so I don't celebrate Kwanzaa but I took an interest to it and decided to read up on it and know what it is really about.

A Brief Background

    Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies at California State University in 1966-1967. It's name which was derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", means first fruits of the harvest. In the beginning years of Kwanzaa Karenga said that Christmas was the white man's version of Christs' birth and therefore should be shunned, but as it gained more and more popularity he focused it on Family, Community, and Culture. It is celebrated from December 26-January 1. Kwanzaa has no ties to religion, it is based solely on culture.

The Principles of Kwanzaa

 The Symbols of Kwanzaa

     Kwanzaa has seven basic symbols and two supplemental ones. Each represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contribute to community building and reinforcement. The basic symbols in Swahili and then in English are:

Mazao (The Crops)
These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.

Mkeka (The Mat)
This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.

Kinara (The Candle Holder)
This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people -- continental Africans.

Muhindi (The Corn)
This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.

Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)
These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.

Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)
This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.

Zawadi (The Gifts)
These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.

The two supplemental symbols are:

Bendera (The Flag)
The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are the colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. It is based on the colors given by the Hon. Marcus Garvey as national colors for African people throughout the world.

   

xoxo,

Miss Nwoka

Merry Christmas!!!

From me to you!

xoxo,

Miss Nwoka