Merry Christmas and Heri za Kwanzaa!

                                                

Yes I know I'm late to the party (it's been a hectic couple of days) BUT I wanted to take the time to say Merry Christmas and Heri za Kwanzaa!


If you're like me and many people I know, you just got over a cold, the flu or some other sickness that kept you in bed this past week. Now that you’ve recovered (or once you recover if you’re still on bed rest) take the time to celebrate this holiday season with your loved ones.

Christmas, of course, is about giving to others, showing them how much you appreciate all they’ve done this past year. But there’s more to give than just gifts, there’s also time, appreciation, patience, and love.
And as important as it is to give that to other people, find ways to give it to yourself, Blackgirl. You cannot fill up other’s cups if there’s nothing in your own.

Kwanzaa is a celebration of our culture, community, and identity. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa (Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujimaa, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani) represents an important value to the safeguarding our our community. 
Today’s principle of Kujichagulia, or self-determination. It is defined as being able to define, create, and speak for ourselves. It is reclaiming our identity and not allowing anyone else (especially an oppressor) to tell us who we are.


“If I did not define myself for myself, I would be crushed by other people’s fantasies of me and eaten alive”
-Audre Lorde


I encourage you, even if you don’t celebrate these holidays, to find space for yourself and others over the last few days of 2024. Use this time for reflection, healing, creativity, community, and most of all love.

You'l be hearing from me one last time till the new year but until then I wish you all a Happy Holidays!

-Ebony Esquiress

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