Defining Defining

Great Kujichagulia;

We are in a Kuji week and today is Kujichagulia day. I guess this means we need to take a deep look at defining. We have to take time and break down so that we can know exactly what we are doing when we exercise the power of Kujichagulia. When we define something we are stating or setting forth the meaning of a thing. We are also saying how something will be referred to or perceived in some context. We also determine what is important about an object and what is incidental, contingent, or unintended about it (1). Defining can be both difficult and easy depending on the situation you find yourself in. We are defining who we are and what we stand for. The dictionary definition of Kujichagulia would be: self determination. Most people believe that this is associated with the right to make decisions concerning one's own person or affairs. Some think of it as self-rule. There is no doubt that there is much debate on the real meaning of Kujichagulia (self-determination). I am stating that Kujichagulia is about attaining the ultimate power over reality. When you define a thing you have power over a thing. To define is the power we have been ultimately seeking as a people.

For so long others have stated or set forth the meaning of who we were. We have also been spoken for, and how we have been perceived has been controlled by others. Lastly, others have been determining what is important about us, and what is not. How can a people ever move toward freedom when the power to define who they are has been stripped, their Kujichagulia laid to waste by the hands of their enemies. Who we were was shattered into a thousand pieces, and we have to put the jigsaw puzzle of who we are now, together. We have to snatch the control from those internal forces first. We have to realize that everything that we have learned about ourselves and our history has to be questioned, and Redefined. We have to activate our Kujichagulia first from within ourselves because we have been educated against our best interest. So a large part of the battle that we have to wage is an internal battle. Inside our own being (IMESP) is where all the heavy lifting will have to take place. Then and only then will we be able to deal with the external forces that are gathering at the gate, crossing our borders and disrespecting our people.

It is time for us to call on Kujichagulia and start defining and redefining everything around us. We have to begin to ask hard questions, and begin to set up personal and group borders that include all 5 parts of being. We can not be free people if anyone can do anything at any time. That is not freedom that is the chaos that we live in now. In order to start this process we need to begin to work on some basic questions. Asking questions requires us to humble ourselves and admit we don't know. We have to begin to ponder again and start to explore the world for ourselves. Here are some basic questions to start with. Please do not be offended, wrestle with them for a while and see what you come up with. You can use your #NguzosabaChallenge Journal

*Who are you? Take some time on this question because many people will think that is beneath them and keep moving not realizing that who they think or don't think they are has direct ramifications on their life!

*What does your name mean? Many will answer the first question with the second question. So now let's get down the brass tacks. Define your name and I dare you to define it if there is no definition to be found. Even bigger challenge for some of you is to find out

*Why were you named what you were named? This will help you get into the story of you .

*Are you who you thought you were before you got these questions?

*How did these simple questions make you feel?

Wrestle with those for a little bit and then we will continue the journey tomorrow. For those that are not on our email list get on so that you can keep up with Gye-Nyame Journey. For those that want more, we do go deeper on each article with a podcast that we make available to our supporters. For those interested in becoming a supporter goto GNJMedia.support...