“Kwanzaa is for Everybody” Says Dr. Reiland Rabaka

This month, KGNU is bringing you a series about spreading joy during the holiday season. In each of these reports, we sit down with a member of our community to hear them reflect on something this time of year. Dec. 26 is the start of Kwanzaa, but tonight, Wednesday Dec. 10, at the Boulder Library’s Canyon Theater, there will be a public celebration called Kwanzaa is for Everybody. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will feature music and dance performances.

We sat down with with Dr. Reiland Rabaka, the Director of the CU Center for African and African American Studies, about the meaning of Kwanzaa, and what it means to celebrate this year.

Kwanzaa, which  grew out of the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s, “changed our perception of ourselves,” said Dr. Rabaka. The holiday is based on traditional African harvest festivals and ceremonies, but celebrating Kwanzaa here and now takes on a new meaning. “ We respect African traditions,” said Dr. Rabaka, “but we know in this new world, in the Americas, it’s important for us to innovate, to remix African traditional culture and make it speak to our special needs right here in the United States.”

Dr. Rabaka’s aim with the Kwanzaa celebration is to bring  African and African American history and culture to Colorado, and welcome everyone in doing so, not just Black people. He said “ I’m actually honored that there are so many non-Black people who are interested in studying Black history, Black culture, Black struggles.”

This story aired on the Morning Magazine, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of the Morning Magazine.