The Black Candle

"The Black Candle" is a documentary that uses Kwanzaa to explore and celebrate the African American experience. This is a documentary about struggle and triumph of family, community and culture. "The Black Candle" was shot across the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. The film focuses on why the seven principles of Kwanzaa are relevant today. The several principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and space. The film traces the holiday growth from the first celebration in 1966 to its present-day reality as a global holiday embraced over 20 million celebrants. The sensible mixture of Maya Angelou's poetry and narration, with pieces of interviews, statements, and academic snapshots by distinguished African American intellectuals and activists; the blend of archival materials and lively reports of several community organisation underlined by an outstanding musical soundtrack, all reflect the serious and committed research conducted by M.K. Asante Jr. not only in America but also in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. This was a beautiful documentary that not only spoke to Kwanzaa but the Black Power Movement as well. It was very educational and should be included in the study of the history of kidnapped, sold, bought, and enslaved African people in relation to their journey to North America. The Black Candle is a documentary that should have a place in any institution concerned with cultural understanding as an extremely important piece of scholarship towards African resurgence. I really enjoyed watching the movie because it really takes you back to your roots. I can honestly say I never really understood why people celebrated Kwanzaa. I knew that it was a holiday celebrated by African Americans in the world but I never knew that the candles each stood for a principle. In school, while growing up they never made it clear as to why Kwanzaa was celebrated. It was just mentioned but never fully explained for us to get a better understanding. I also never knew how old the holiday was either. I was very impressed with the caliber of people that participated in the film. The film brought to light how African Americans are not educated on the reason Kwanzaa is celebrated. I believe though as a race we fail to educate ourselves on things that we have not yet mastered and why we celebrate it. No matter who you are, you should celebrate all the wonderful things about yourself and your community. A lot of people of African decent in the U.S. are taught to hate themselves or to love themselves and hate others. Your worst enemy and your best friend is the person you look at in the mirror every day. I believe though as a race we fail to educate ourselves on things that we have not yet mastered and are unclear on so we defiantly cut ourselves short.Yes racism and white supremacy may be barriers but you and I decide whether these barriers will keep us from striving. We need to call for black accountability. Unless we do that we will continue to walk on psychological crutches instead of mobilize. The seed of change is not within the end of racism or white supremacy. It's within every one of us, brothers, and sisters.