In the words our honored ancestors used to describe our “rising in radiance,” the world encompassing embrace and celebration of Kwanzaa by African peoples around the world is indeed, “wonderful to witness and beautiful to behold.”
Last week in New York City, a 26-year-old White boy by the name of Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide after he choked and killed a Black man by the name of Jordan Neely in a New York city subway car.
As we reflect on the long history of harm inflicted on Black families by child welfare policies, we must reject these narratives that perpetuate systemic racism and move toward genuinely equitable, intentional policies that acknowledge race and reckon with our history of racial inequity.
Ahiah Ashur High (I AM WHO I AM). It’s the sixth day before Passover, the final six days before the crucifixion of Jesus. As he approaches Jerusalem from Jericho, the crowds are in a state of wonderment. Many have heard of him and the miraculous works he performed, but now they are seeing him in person.
The word “holiday” originates from an old English term meaning “holy day.” Over the years, however, much of the holiness has been lost, and holidays have become more secular.
Like many of you, after the election I had to recalibrate my thinking about politics, politicians, people, how and where I receive information moving forward, as well as adjust my attitude about life moving forward.
One could say we live in wicked times, literally and figuratively. The word wicked has multiple meanings and could be considered an oxymoron. Depending on who and how it is being used, it could mean something is evil or morally wrong, but if someone refers to something as wickedly good, it usually means extremely good.
This year and each year, the coming of Kwanzaa causes us to come together in celebration, remembrance, reflection and recommitment. And it also urges us to constantly study and learn the deep meanings and expansive message of Kwanzaa, not only in its grounding philosophy, Kawaida, and its core Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba), but also in its symbols.
Can we have an honest adult conversation about what’s going on in this country and the world? I think it’s time for us to be honest with each other and talk to each other as adults, not like little children.
Where do you want to go from here? Are you properly registered? Have you built up your credit credentials? What about a down payment and ongoing acts substantiating that your credit is approved?
Whose rights are they anyway? If the leadership doesn’t lead in a godly manner and we follow that leadership even though we know what they are saying and see the results of their leadership actions, we doom ourselves to defeat. We see that as a current visual.
Several weeks ago, I shared I was going to do a short self-imposed sabbatical to reflect, relax, rest, and restore my inner peace to end the year strong and start the new year with enthusiasm. While I was planning to get away for a few days, the word the Lord kept putting in my spirit was unshakable.
Clearly, a critical and compelling task of our times is to remember, raise up and reaffirm in our sensitivities, thought and practice our culture of striving and struggle as a people, for the needs of our people, the character of the times and the current course of historical events demand it. And we must remember that we must come to the table and tasks of this urgent and demanding moment, not naked and in need, but fully clothed in our own culture.
In California, access to clean water is not only a growing concern—it is a crisis, especially for communities of color. This lack of access to safe, reliable drinking water is more than a matter of infrastructure; it’s a profound environmental injustice that continues to erode the health and livelihoods of millions of residents and California families. With our changing climate and extreme weather patterns growing worse by the year, we must take decisive action to protect water security for all Californians.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Election Day proved to be a worldwide date to distinguish itself in the historical annuls. I termed it “Day for the Elect.”