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Kwanzaa, Ujima and JiJi
by Rus Cooper-Dowda
Last December, a miracle happened at my house.
It was the third night of Kwanzaa -- Ujima - a day in the African-American holiday designed for remembering how communities can pull together to solve problems.
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JiJi caused us to come together as the small community that families can be.
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We lit our three daily candles and had dinner. Afterwards, while we were talking on the porch a tiny disabled dog staggered up to us. She was obviously abused. Her eyes were almost swollen shut.
I ran for towels and started warm water in the kitchen sink. My son made up small bowls of food and milk for her. My husband comforted her while we made our preparations.
Even after all that care, she trembled all night long and stayed in my son's young arms for protection.
We never found an owner. But we did quickly realize that she was almost blind. She was also in so much pain that she wouldn't move unless she had to do so.
Being a poor family, we had to strike a deal with the veterinarians to take as long a time as possible to pay so JiJi could immediately have the very serious surgery she needed. We are still paying on that bill -- but her life was saved. Even the following months during which the family had to work together in medicating and soaking her eyes three times a day were well worth it.
A year later:
She is very healthy, very visually-impaired, very active, very playful and adores us -- especially my great big ole teenage son. Indeed, he is even going to take her to college with him soon.
We named her Ujima because she came into our lives on that day during Kwanzaa. Her nickname is JiJi. She caused us to come together as the small community that families can be to solve her problems -- exactly what the day was meant to remind us to do.
What we have gotten from her direction has been just great. She became a new and delightful three-to-four year old tiny mixed Pekingnese family member.
In a similar way, all those who are disabled and in need remain part of the larger community family. We disabled members have much to give in return, too.
The other nights of Kwanzaa are Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani. Collectively they call us to show our Crip Community unity, determination, cooperation, purpose, creativity and faith in the face of all that ongoing need.
We are grateful for the opportunity the Kwanzaa holiday gave us last year for coming together to help address JiJi's disabilities on a small scale. This year we will celebrate both the effort and the resultant blessing.
And so, as part of that celebration, I leave you with "Harambee!" It means "Keep Pulling Together!"
Rus Cooper-Dowda is a minister and freelance writer in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Posted Dec. 26, 2002
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