A Deep Look at Kwanzaa - December 2023
This article was published in the December 2023 issue of the Youngstown Buckeye Review, a locally owned black publication.
If we are to effectively deal with the history of oppression and the current craziness in this country and the world, we must abolish the consumer and its language, we must realize that all humans are Producers made in the image and likeness of the “creative” and “productive” energy of the universe, and we must begin utilizing Producer language to think, talk, and make decisions about EVERYTHING.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
In 1966 Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa (“first fruits of the harvest”) to reconnect us with our history. Its Nguzo Saba (7 principles) are Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. The following illustrates how Producer language offers a deep look at Kwanzaa.
Harvest comes at the end of a seasonal production process. The fruits humans harvest are the FARTs (feelings, actions, reactions, and thoughts) we produce throughout the year. Kwanzaa is about producing meaningful FARTs for oneself and for the community.
Umoja (unity) means we Producers must be united in producing meaningful FARTs for justice, freedom, wellbeing, wisdom, family, community, and good in the world.
Kujichagulia (self-determination) means I am a Producer in control of the production of my FARTs that are needed to produce my Life Outputs (e.g., character, family, education, occupation, values, beliefs, emotions, activities, interest, and opinions).
Ujima (collective work and responsibility) means each Producer has a responsibility to produce Life Outputs that contribute to the collective (community of Producers) production of justice, freedom, wellbeing, wisdom, family, community, and good in the world.
Ujamaa (cooperative economics) can only start with the community of Producers realizing that all goods, services, and ideas are simply Inputs utilized to produce Life Outputs. Examples: a car is simply an Input utilized to produce getting to work, school, church and other activities; a smart phone is simply an Input utilized to produce knowledge and meaningful communication among Producers; food is simply an Input (e.g., raw materials) utilized by your phenomenal production systems (your body) to produce the energy utilized to produce your Life Outputs.
Nia (purpose) means I am aware of the Inputs needed to produce my Life Outputs. I avoid Inputs that do not contribute to my survival and flourishing. I produce appropriate FARTs for the people (other Producers), places, things, and ideas I encounter in life.
Kuumba (creativity) means I am open to exploring how the Inputs I get from people (other Producers), places, things, and ideas can be utilized to produce needed changes to my Life Outputs and/or imagine new and unique Life Outputs.
Imani (faith) means I believe that all Producers are made in the image and likeness of the “creative” and “productive” energy of the universe and are fully capable of living as Producers under the 7 principles of Kwanzaa.
Producer language is motivated by the same ancient Kemetian wisdom teaching that motivated Dr. Karenga’s creation of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is about harvesting Nguzo Saba (7 principles) produced throughout the year. Producer language helps to think about, talk about, and effectively produce the 7 principles. [Producer language is at producerconsciousness.com.]