DarkLake Tarot Does Kwanzaa [pt 4/7]

Habari gani?

Did you miss Part 1?   Part 2?    Or Part 3?

We're almost at the end of 2017 [holy shit] but only at the halfway point of Kwanzaa!  Today's Principle is Ujamaa ['Cooperative Economics'], where we are asked "To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.”  This particular Principle might be amongst the most important for us as members of the African Diaspora to consider- especially in today's sociopolitical climate.
But let's deal with the spread first!

So for this spread to be at its most effective, approach each part of the spread with the question: 'How Can I _____?'

Alright, here's where Lindsay gets political.

I joked about this on the first post, but y'all?  Kwanzaa is an AFRICAN-AS-F*CK cultural holiday [and by African, y'all know I meant to say 'Black'].  It was not developed with the mindset of inclusivity across racial lines, because at the time, Dr Karenga saw the need for African-Americans to remember their heritage and struggles in a post-Civil Rights America that wasn't as free from racial bigotry as they thought it would be.  So in formulating the principles of Kwanzaa- especially today's word Ujamaa- the focus was, and will always be, on the development, uplifting and protection of Black people.

That doesn't mean that it promotes Black society operating out of complete isolationist principles- that's impossible in today's world, and it is important to work with other cultures and communities for the world's overall benefit.  But it DOES suggest that [as yesterday's word Ujima pointed out] we as a collective are mutually responsible for our successes and failures.  So that means in order to facilitate our enrichment, we should be supporting our own with as much passion and enterprise as we can, with the same energy we give to other, non-Black-owned businesses.

On the flipside of that: I also don't think that it means that we give our brothers and sisters a pass just because they too are Black.  One of my biggest pet peeves about garnering support from people back home in the Bahamas is that blind support of anyone's craft JUST BECAUSE of some inane surface reason [which ends up promoting a lot of copycapts and mediocre talent IMO].... as well as people making legit moves to further the culture, yet they have to fight for validation from an apathetic citizenry, a decent crowd to their gigs, or even just goddamn respect/monetary compensation for their time and talent.

It's why I have a pretty firm rule with myself- I support any Bahamian wanting to get serious with their talent and their offerings.  That's the dream and no one should shy away from making it real!  But if you want MY support, you have to resonate with my vibe.  You have to be authentic.  Innovative.  Willing to break the mold and shock the complacency.  Wanting to build your corner of the community upward and onward.

I may be living on the other side of the continent, but I see and respect the people who are doing just that, and I support them however I can.  And I hope that whoever reads my words, and benefits from anything I offer here on DarkLake Tarot, does the same for me.  We're all in this together, after all.

/political rant~

​I'll see y'all tomorrow :)