Self-Determination begins with me.  A great complement to the principle of Kujichagulia can be found in the poem by Benjamin Mays.  Before we can build our community, we must begin with a hard look in the mirror for the repository of our African values.

I've only just a minute,

Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can't refuse it,

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it,

But it's up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it,

Give an account if I abuse it,

Just a tiny little minute,

But eternity is in it.

-- Dr. Benjamin E. Mays

THE SECOND DAY OF KWANZAA

KUJICHAGULIA
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) means self-determination: and is the second day of Kwanzaa. On this day, we pledge to define ourselves, to NAME ourselves, to create for ourselves, and to speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named by, created for and spoken for by others. On this day we design for ourselves a positive future and then vow to make that prophecy -- that DREAM -- a self-fulfilling one.

Roger Madison
iZania, LLC