Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics & Grief
On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, we celebrate Ujamaa, a principle that emphasizes Cooperative Economics. Ujamaa is about building and maintaining our own stores, shops, and other businesses and profiting from them together. This principle can be uniquely intertwined with our understanding and approach to grief.
In the context of grief, Ujamaa encourages us to consider how our economic choices and behaviors can support those who are grieving. But it also helps us think about how oppressive economic systems have been the source of historical and intergenerational grief.
It's about using our collective economic power to uplift and assist members of our community in times of loss. This can manifest in various forms, such as supporting businesses that fund grief support programs or participating in community initiatives that aid families dealing with financial strains due to a loss. A few weeks ago, my Sista friend, Scholar, Theologian, and curator of Pink Robe Chronicles, Rev. Dr. Melva Sampson, held an Ubuntu Live Telethon to support five members of the PRC village. You can find Dr. Sampson and Pink Robe Chronicles here.
Cooperative economics also speaks to the creation of resources and support systems that can help people navigate their grief. By pooling resources, communities can establish funds, counseling services, or support groups that specifically address the needs of those who are grieving. This communal approach to economic support ensures that no individual faces the financial burden of grief alone.
Additionally, Ujamaa, in grief, acknowledges that economic hardship can often compound the emotional turmoil of loss. By embracing cooperative economics, we commit to a community model where we collectively ensure that our members are emotionally supported and economically empowered during their times of need.
As we light the candle for Ujamaa, let's reflect on how we can extend our support to those in grief, not just emotionally and spiritually but also economically. In the spirit of Ujamaa, our collective economic actions can offer a powerful form of comfort and support to those walking through the valley of loss.
