HERI YA MWAKA MPYA HAPPY NEW YEAR

Murphy Browne © January 1-2018


HERI YA MWAKA MPYA HAPPY NEW YEAR


We are at the beginning of 2018, the fourth year of the United Nations (UN)designated International Decade for People of African Descent. The UN did not designate this Decade out of the goodness of their heart after experiencing an epiphany about the lived reality of Africans internationally. They were urged to designate an international decade for people of African descent by Africans in the Diaspora especially those whose ancestors were enslaved in Central and South America. Although Canada is a member of the UN, no level of government in this country has bothered to recognize the Decade and none of the political parties have acknowledged the Decade. We can see the level of respect that we are afforded by the powers that be. No wonder there is no acknowledgement that African Canadians suffer the highest level of incarceration compared to our numbers in this province. Some of us are brainwashed into thinking that these high numbers are warranted. However if you follow that thought then you are agreeing with the white supremacist xenophobic idea that our community is inherently criminal. Some organizations took the initiative to recognize the Decade with no government support. In any case it does not matter what happens in our lives, time marches on regardless and whether our year has been amazing or dreadful it does come to an end and a new year begins.


For some people the stress of last minute shopping and decorating for the festive season takes a toll by New Year’s Day. Some very organized people begin planning in January or at least by June for December. As we approached 2018, was looking back to the past year really useful? Is making several New Year’s resolutions really useful? At the beginning of 2017 I made a list of goals I planned to complete before the end of 2017. I did a good job of completing those goals, reading the 15 books I planned to read and taking a more active role in my grandchildren's education as they get older and have to maneuver through the public education system. Those were my goals and I was able to achieve success because they were not unreasonable. I even had time to read way more than 15 books and even made time to visit the Toronto District School Board (TDSB.) Looking back at the past can be a good thing if we make changes to ensure that we do not repeat what we did not like about the past year. As you look back at 2017 think about what you would like to change and think about what you would repeat for 2018. So now you have looked back and seen some areas that you would like to improve. How are you going to improve those areas? Do you have a plan? Make sure it is one that will be realistic and will work better than the one from last year. If you make elaborate plans you may be disappointed by the end of January.


As 2017 has come to a close people have enjoyed their holiday gifts, spent time with family and counted down to midnight on December 31 to welcome 2018. The past year was certainly memorable as it has had its ups and downs but now it is time to open a new calendar for 2018. Some people are looking forward to graduating from school some will welcome new members into their family, start new friendships, renew or strengthen old friendships etc.,. I have been very fortunate to have wonderfully supportive family and friends encourage and help me through some rough and tough times this past year especially as I dealt with the one year passing of my Papa. Some incidents could be considered betrayals by people who are entrusted with power to make decisions that affect the lives of others. When these things happen you have to roll with the punches, pick yourself, dust yourself off and start all over again. Wow! That sounds like a serious boxing match!


2018 is here whether or not we are ready. We can make it memorable or dwell on disappointing moments from the last year. I intend to make 2018 memorable, learning from mistakes made in 2017. For the first time since 2011 I was involved in planning a community Kwanzaa celebration. I enjoyed the experience because I missed doing that over the past 6 years but I think it is okay to take a break. I look forward to planning a community Kwanzaa event for 2018 with the enthusiastic participants from Parkdale. I welcomed the New Year with family and friends and regardless of who complained I stuck to sparkling cider, Cydrax or Peardrax while counting down to midnight to welcome the New Year 2018. Happy New Year!! Heri za Mwaka Mpya!!
Murphy Browne © January 1-2018