YOUNG PEOPLE'S
PERSPECTIVES ON KWANZAA
"To me, Kwanzaa means a celebration that brings people
together like a big family celebrating life and unity. It had
such a big impact on me growing up. It means coming
together, just a community all together and of course African
culture. Kwanzaa is important, especially for black people in
America, because it helps us get in touch with our roots a
little bit. We get to express ourselves and learn new things
from each other." — PHOENIX SEMAJ, AGE 17
"Kwanzaa means you get to celebrate different types of
cultures. You get to be yourself and you can wear different
colors and light candles and they smell good. It is important
to celebrate because it helps you grow and spend time with
your family. You get to come together. It gives you strength
and you learn different things." — KUMANI BLACKWELL,
AGE 11
"Kwanzaa is a celebration of Umoja, or the unity of our culture.
It's important to celebrate Kwanzaa to carry on the traditions
of our community as a culture and to further strengthen us
as a community. It gives us a reminder of where we were and
where we are now, kind of like a sense of nostalgia."
— PHOENIX BLACKWELL, AGE 17
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Top: A youth ensemble leads the audience in singing 'Lift
Every Voice and Sing' at a Kwanzaa ceremony.
Bottom: Youth Night host Karim Muhammad leads seven
youth in reciting the Nguzo Saba.
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 | maconmagazine.com 89
