In an article at BlackCommunicator.com, Dr. Conrad W. Worrill, Ph.D. offers an economic perspective on the celebration of Kwanzaa that is timely and important in the current fragile economic times for African Americans. This is the 46th anniversary of Kwanzaa.
Dr. Worrill says, "African American people should do business with each other during the Kwanzaa season and continue this practice throughout the year."
The principle we commemorate during the Kwanzaa season that speaks to this issue is Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics). This principle encourages African people in America "to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together." On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, Wednesday, December 29th, this principle is celebrated.
Kwanzaa was created to introduce African people in America to new values. Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration that is held from December 26 to January 1. These new values are called the Nguzo Saba or the seven principles of Blackness, that "if practiced would give them (us) a set of priorities and commitments which would enhance their (our) human possibilities and lead to their (our) liberation and a higher level of human life."
"The Kwanzaa season helps us place the question of economics on the agenda of our struggle."
This era of United States history demands that African people in America place a greater degree of emphasis on our collective economic salvation. Once again, the old truth that "Black people are the last hired and the first fired," is surfacing itself throughout the major employment centers in this country.
BlackCommentator.com Columnist, Conrad W. Worrill, PhD, is the National Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front (NBUF). Click here to read the full article at BlackCommunicator.com.
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