Today’s topic is on the 6th principle of Kwanzaa which is Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah). But before we get into it, let’s briefly talk about Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a 7 day, non-religious Black American and Pan African holiday celebrated primarily in America.
It was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966. Karenga is a professor and chair of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach.
From what I have gathered, Kwanzaa was inspired by African harvest celebrations that promote family, community, and culture.
In my immediate family we did not know a lot about Kwanzaa growing up. But over time I began to get educated on what Kwanzaa was about.
After learning more about Kwanzaa over the last few years, the principles of Kwanzaa line up with the principles that I live my own life by.
The 7 days of Kwanzaa are celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. In this short series, I’m going to go over the Nguzo Saba which is also known as the 7 principles of Kwanzaa.
The sixth principle of Kwanzaa is Kuumba which means Creativity.
Kuumba (Creativity)
The specific meaning of Kuumba is to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Creativity is what makes the world go around. All you have to do is think about all of the things that been created over time.
Creativity is also what will allow you to leave your community better than it started or where it currently is.
I remember the community barber shop in Crestmont (Suburban Expressions) that I used to go to when I was in high school. There were other shops around, but they didn’t serve the Black community like this one did.
The owner, Tyce, had a creative vision to open a barber shop where the people of the community could congregate not just for haircuts, but for lively discussions to which we refer to as “shop talk.”
This is the first example I saw in my early life of a business being set-up that had a positive effect on the community.
His creativity inspired my own creative mind with the building of my website and gym.
I wanted to create a website that delivered truthful, no-nonsense information about the iron game. It took 9 years to get it right, but we are here now.
Even more than the website, I wanted to create a gym that was not just a standard, stereotypical, bland commercial gym.
I wanted to create a gym that fostered not just physical and mental improvement but also a place where the community can come to get healthy.
In order for The Center to be open, I had to be creative with my money and vision. There were times when I down on the mat, but I never lost my creative mind.
Conclusion
Let’s strive to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
We have a responsibility to make things better for the next generation.
I’ll holla at you next time.
The People’s Trainer
Fitman