Day 2 of Kwanzaa
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. This reaffirms the right of persons and peoples to determine their own destiny and daily lives; to live in peace and security, and to flourish in freedom.
We all have the right to live in a safe and secure place. Freedom is our divine right. We all should be free to move beyond past limitations and become all that we were created to be.
I talk a lot about freedom in my work. What does it look like? How will we know we are free? In what ways are we chained and what ways do we stop others from being free.
For me, true freedom means that I define myself. I use my voice and my power so that we all flourish, not just some.
I know I can’t breathe until everyone can breathe. I am part of the problem and part of the solution. I make choices every day that either set folks free or keep them chained.
- Where I keep my money, where I spend my money and how I use it.
- What I eat, where I eat and the food system that puts that food on my table.
Our choices are interconnected and they have consequences. so when I use my voice and power, when organizations I support focus on equity and justice they show other organizations that they can also make anti-oppression work a priority as well.
The more we move beyond constraints the more valuable we become to our communities.
Each Kwanzaa we are called upon to think deeply about our lives and the world. Then, we are to recommit ourselves to our highest ideals, our best values, and visions.
Today I will focus on freedom. What will you focus on? What will you reaffirm? How will you use your voice?