Urban Thought Collective

Director M.K. Asante explores the origins of Kwanzaa in “The Black Candle.”

Why do many African-Americans feel the need to celebrate their own holiday? The answer to that question is examined in “The Black Candle,” a thought provoking documentary narrated by the renowned poet, Dr. Maya Angelou. The film’s director M.K. Asante, Jr., travels across the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean seeking answers while looking at the seven principles of Kwanzaa (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith) and uncovering why 22 million celebrants in the U.S. and across the globe embrace this tradition.

URBAN THOUGHT COLLECTIVE caught up with the globe trotting director for an exclusive chat about the importance of history and heritage.

There are many misconceptions about Kwanzaa. Many believe it is a religious holiday, but it is not. It is a cultural celebration! The misconceptions can be damaging because it makes people stay away; prevents them from participating in something that is a beautiful expression of their heritage. The black church has been instrumental in this growth of the holiday. In Minnesota, there is even a Kwanzaa church!

I first learned about Kwanzaa as a child. My parents told me all about it. So, when I was in elementary school, I noticed there was Christmas and Chanukah celebrations, but nothing for Kwanzaa. So, I stood up and said “Hey, what about Kwanzaa?” It was the early 90’s and no one had really known about it on a wide reaching level. From then on, each year my school began to incorporate Kwanzaa into the holiday festivities.

My main purpose from creating this film was to educate. I believe that if you make an observation, you have an obligation to spread the word. I make films about what I don’t see. I didn’t see anything in the marketplace put together quite this way, so I made it happen.

The first victory towards making my film a reality was getting Dr. Maya Angelou on board. I couldn’t think of anyone better. I asked myself if there was an individual whose life captures the embodiment of our experiences. She was the one. If she had said no, I don’t know what I would have done! Thankfully, she immediately said yes to provide the narration and poetry. Having her really reaffirmed my belief that we have to commit to substantive projects. Melvin van Peebles says that when you have a goal, everything else falls into place. We had tons of archival footage, interviews and all kinds of obstacles to overcome, but once Dr. Angelou committed, I was determined not to be swayed. There is a proverb that for me sums her up so well: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another.” It makes the room brighter, and that’s what she does.

I don’t consider myself militant, just conscious. You must know your roots to know where you are going. I’m connected with my ancestry. I was born in Zimbabwe. My parents founded the first PH.D program in African studies and made sure we stayed knowledgeable bout where we came from and who we really are. When you know who you are, you have a different, confident swagger about you.

Learning about Kwanzaa is not the solution to all of our issues, but it is definitely a key step towards enlightenment.

Music is a big part of my life, and that is reflected in this film as well. In the film is spotlight Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, folks like that. I look at music as food. You don’t go to McDonalds to get healthy food! So, I listen to local artists and conscious ones and just support their art in the work I do. Hip hop definitely used to reflect some of our experiences; but mainstream hip hop has become disconnected from our own lives. What is considered mainstream isn’t representing everyone’s story. Some of it is important and impactful, it’s not as vibrant as those Public Enemy days. We learned quickly that the powers that be didn’t want that on the radio! So, non-commercial radio is a good source to get your sustenance.

Please support THE BLACK CANDLE by going on to our website, www.theblackcandle.com to purchase the DVD, see photos and chat on our discussion boards.

Happy Kwanzaa!!