Habari gani, everyone? Today is a celebration of imani, or faith. Faith is a tricky concept that brings people uncomfortably close to spirituality. Here it means to believe, with all of our hearts, in our people -- our parents and teachers and leaders, and in the righteousness of our struggle. Even the secular language leans … Continue reading Kwanzaa: Imani / Faith
Kwanzaa: Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics
Habari gani, folks? Today's principle is ujamaa -- cooperative economics. I'll admit that my relationship with this principle has become increasingly tenuous. This stage of capitalism requires increasingly direct appeals for money just to survive, and it feels like we've been hoodwinked into cannibalizing our interests to ensure cash keeps flowing toward the rich and … Continue reading Kwanzaa: Ujamaa / Cooperative Economics
Kwanzaa: Ujima / Collective Work and Responsibility
Habari gani, folks? (By the way, this is a "traditional" Kwanzaa greeting meaning "What's the news?" in Swahili!) Today we celebrate Ujima, a Swahili word for "collective work and responsibility." This speaks to the multi-faceted, intersectional nature of our shared struggle. Inequality (and white supremacy) is a hydra that targets groups with different tactics, but … Continue reading Kwanzaa: Ujima / Collective Work and Responsibility
Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia / Self-Determination
Habari gani, everyone? Today's principle is kujichagulia, or self-determination if Swahili isn't your thing. Right after ensuring we're united with our kin in common struggle, the ability to "define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves" is the most essential principle. For most of us living in subcultures, we intrinsically know the … Continue reading Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia / Self-Determination
Kwanzaa: Umoja / Unity
Habari gani, friends? Today is the first day of Kwanzaa, a completely made-up holiday meant to be celebrated by the African diaspora -- but nowadays is mostly the butt of jokes about what a silly and mysterious holiday it is. To be fair, it IS a silly and mysterious holiday! Over the past several years, … Continue reading Kwanzaa: Umoja / Unity
3 Movies: Shine / Ambulance / Beetlejuice
Shine (1996) Starring Geoffrey Rush, Noah Taylor, John Gielgud, and Lynn Redgrave Written by Jan Sardi, from a story by Scott Hicks Directed by Scott Hicks If this movie doesn't make you respect Rachmaninoff, I don't know what will. Shine tells the (supposedly) true story of pianist David Helfgott, who overcame a severe upbringing and … Continue reading 3 Movies: Shine / Ambulance / Beetlejuice
True Blue in Red States
I'm back from a trip to Arkansas, where the last of my husband's four brothers got married! He's the oldest in a large family of seven children, all of whom have strong personalities and deeply-held beliefs. One brother loves hunting; one sister is super-athletic; another sibling voted for Trump; yet another is a staunch Christian … Continue reading True Blue in Red States
New Tattoo! (CW: Suicide)
I'm traveling home today from a week-long visit with the in-laws, but it's also been two whole weeks since I've checked in here. I don't feel pressure to keep the Content Monster fed, but it's also important to me that I try to keep a regular practice of writing and posting. So -- my apologies … Continue reading New Tattoo! (CW: Suicide)
The Vow
We've reviewed the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, two core principles of Buddhism. From these two ideas there's a whole universe of interpretations, additions, and expansions. Every time Buddhism is introduced to a new culture, it tends to adapt towards the specific pressures that exist at that time. Tibetan Buddhism is different … Continue reading The Vow
The Path
I find it's a good idea whenever you're setting out on a new endeavor to take stock of where you're going, why you're going there and what you want to do on the way. The new year is a new endeavor of sorts, so before diving into any major goals I want to pause for … Continue reading The Path
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 