The Kwanzaa Effect (Kujichagulia)

Kujichagulia. Self Determination. The second principle of Kwanzaa focuses on our ability to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Self determination is the way of people who are free. As a principle this should be the goal. Even in something as small as comics. Thanos found himself needing to do the work he wanted others to do. While I cannot equate our struggle to the Mad Titan, what I can do is ponder on the sentiment, "do it yourself". Why do we get misty eyed over Marvel and DC characters? Only a handful of those characters there were created by Black creators anyway. I think sometimes we are used to Marvel and DC. They are like the weatherman you see on the news every night. You just get used to seeing them day after day. Black Panther. Storm. Falcon. Green Lantern. All great characters and yet they are only ours in aspiration. Now aspiration by definition is pretty cool. Aspiration means "a strong desire to achieve something high or great" (Merriam-Webster). However, self determination must sacrifice sentimental value. Sure, keep collecting to your heart's content. Enjoy talking about how dope these characters are. Wear their images on T-shirts. However, they will be and always be aspiration. Self determination though is inspiration.

Inspiration by definition means "something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create" (Webster-Merriam). Yes, Black Panther inspires creators to want to create. Naturally that inspiration by nature is there not only give tribute but ultimately replace the former. Isn't it ironic that Ultron speaks this way concerning parents and children. Yes, we love Black Panther, Blade, Storm and all the rest. Yet, self determination demands that we move beyond them. We must define our characters, name our characters and create our characters that will truly speak for ourselves.

I love the characters that we have made our own. We had to in the wake of representation. Now, we must ascend to a better hope. You can collect to your heart's content however, if Kujichagulia, self determination is a real thing to you and me. Well, you better start looking for content made by us and for us. We can whine and gripe about how Marvel and DC underuse their stable of characters. It has never been on them to give to us what we are supposed to do. Fandom aside. It serves us well but it never was created to liberate us. Self determination is the way of the free. In order to be free you must be free. Marinate on that. Happy Kwanzaa!