Joyous Kwanzaa! Or: How To Really Confuse Your Family

I love Kwanzaa, y'all.

Kwanzaa is a holiday that knows exactly what it is. It's a cultural holiday that was started in 1966, in order to bring African philosophy back to the African American community.

We can sing the principles along with Sweet Honey in The Rock, like the first day: "Umoja, Unity that brings us together." And they can teach us how to say "Kujichagulia." (Koo-gee-cha-goo-lee-ah, which means self-determination)

The principles for the other days are collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Who *wouldn't* want to strive for those things?

So, I don't go all out for Kwanzaa or anything. I don't light a kinara, or have a special meal, or observe it at all, really, except to maybe note what the principle of the day is and meditate on it a bit.


Incidentally, I happened to plan to visit my family during the time frame that Kwanzaa falls. It's from December 26 - New Year's Day. I thought that most people kind of knew when Kwanzaa was, and what it was - even if they only vaguely know that it's an African-American holiday.


So, I sent an e-mail to my mom and grandma saying "I'll be home for Kwanzaa!"

You know, since I won't be home for Christmas.


According to my family, this led my mother to awkwardly announce, "Now, everyone, remember that Hedge has converted to Judaism. She will be with us for her holiday: Kwanzaa."

Which left my family wondering: Has she become a black Jew now?

My poor confused family.


Makes for a good story, at least?

Happy new year, everybody!