Kwanzaa begins today. The Seven Principles focus our attention on
the goals around which we have united in the International
Reparations Support Group. I share them with you to remind us of our
motivation, purpose and ultimate objectives.

JAH BLESS and Protect.
Forward to Year 2002!!
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Nguzo Saba (social and spiritual principles)

UMOJA (UNITY) (oo-MOE-jah) - To strive for and maintain unity in the
family, community, nation and race.

KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) - To
define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for
ourselves.

UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY) (oo-JEE-mah) - To build
and maintain our community together and to make our brothers' and
sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) (oo-JAH-mah) - To build and maintain
our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit together
from them.

NIA (PURPOSE) (nee-AH) - To make as our collective vocation the
building and developing of our community in order to restore our
people to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) (koo-OOM-bah) - To do always as much as we can,
in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more
beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.

IMANI (FAITH) (ee-MAH-nee) - To believe with all our hearts in our
parents, our teachers, our leaders, our people and the righteousness
and victory of our struggle.

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FOCUS
The center of an activity or the area of attention.
It is important to relate to the past in order to understand the
present and deal with the future. A people will never look forward
to posterity who never looked backward to their ancestors.

SENSE OF DIRECTION
The way and manner in which the event will take form.
To practice the principles in our lives that helped our ancestors to
endure oppression, slavery and racism. Emphasize Unity of the Black
family.

PURPOSE
The plan, intention or reason for an activity or event.
To maintain a history. History is Knowledge, Identity and Power.

GOALS
The things that will be achieved.
To develop self and facilitate a positive Black self-esteem by
exposing individuals to a culturally desirable pattern of
principles, to help them live their lives and to encourage the
highest level of positive Black self-esteem and spiritual
development.
To establish a culturally oriented "WAY OF LIFE."

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For me, the observation and celebration of KWANZAA is a welcome
activity to engage in during the international Holy Days celebrated
at the end of the year by several religions, culminating with the
Ethiopian Orthodox CHRIST-Mas on January 7th.

I send LOVE and BLESSINGS to all members of the IRSGroup family, and
to all members of our families everywhere.

JAH PERFECT LOVE!
Makeda