Happy Kwanzaa Day 2!

Self-Determination/Kujichagulia To define the world in our own image and interest, placing African people and our history and culture at the center of our worldview and social reality

Perspective on Self-Determination Implied and embedded in the principle self-determination is the notion of respect which a people have for its culture and historical and current contribution to the world. At the family level this translates into the art, music, and literature which is possessed or a part of the home. It obligates parents to follow Cater G. Woodson’s lead in teaching African American History first in the home, ensuring that children and adult know that they have made a special and enduring contribution to the world, that the African American experience in America is worthy of praise and honor, that as Bethune elegantly Stated: “I want Negroes to maintain their human dignity at all costs. We, as Negroes, must recognize that we are the custodians as well as the heirs of a great civilization. We have given something to the world as a race and for this we are proud and fully conscious of our place in the total picture of mankind’s development.”

Kujichagulia is the essence of our culture as African Americans. Understanding that our culture is essential to the existence of all people and that we must preserve our history at all costs is what Kujichagulia means.