Kwanzaa in the 21st Century: Nia

Author's note: Anyone  who knows me knows that I am notorious for for mixing up the fifth and sixth days of Kwanzaa.  Nia is usually celebrated on the fifth day while Kuumba is celebrated on the sixth.  For the purpose of this series, Nia will be celebrated today.  Thanks! ~SKG

Nia, meaning purpose, is celebrated on the sixth day of Kwanzaa. It means to make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community, in order to restore our people to our traditional greatness. (Source: The Official Kwanzaa Website)  Any African American that moves forward the causes of our people as a whole practices Nia.  We learn, build and contribute with purpose.  This is why we have been able to achieve, and continue to achieve, greatness.  Will we reach the greatness of our African ancestors?  That remains to be seen.  However, if we are steadfast in our commitment to reaching that goal, then we are off to a pretty good start.


Nia has to be the most American principle among the Nguzo Saba.  If our nation's founding fathers did not exercise Nia, then where would we be?  Can you imagine how different the world would be without the United States of America?  What if General George Washington just threw up his hands and said, "We give up, Your Majesty!"  and ran back to the United Kingdom and left the colonies as they were.  Would we still be under British rule?  Would we still have to give honor to Queen and country...that isn't ours?  Would your ancestors have made to the new world?  If we did not have Nia in our plan, how would America look?


Your task for today:  As the new year dawns, take a moment to set goals, not make resolutions.  Make it your purpose to make 2013 better than 2012.  Start small!  Every goal is special, no matter what size!