Besides, now I wonder how to write about everything that happens to me now. I'm still trying to find the humor in my visit to the emergency room not long after the BAS Holiday Book Fair - my Japanese Akita hit me in the face with his HUGE head and I thought I would loose my entire front grill! And not a dent in his big head!!!! Hmmm . . . gotta love 'em - I've been hopped up on Tylenol with Codeine ever since. No worries though - after 3 x-rays no fractures were found. So what I have to eat mush for the next month? It'll help me lose weight! I'm just grateful I get to keep my crooked front teeth another year. It's amazing what the prospect of an African American president can do for the psyche. This may be the most difficult financial time since the 30's, but it's even more difficult NOT to see the exciting promise of tomorrow. This is the best time ever to start something new - a business, a book, education - now is the time to be open to new opportunities. Speaking of gratitude, I'd like to give a shout out to some of those online literary providers that have started and kept this business humming. Big ups to Tee C. Royal of Raw Sistas for an outstanding online literary conference - great job! Question to Sylvia Hubbard and Yasmin Coleman - how do you keep up the pace? You two are phenomenal and we owe so much to you - thanks for your hard work and ethics. Thank you to our many members who have linked from their sites and blogs and those that have written informative articles to share with the membership. Next year we will make it easier to navigate to your content and will create additional help features.This morning 'The Cushite' (Vince of The First World Books & Specialty Shop) sent Kwanzaa greetings to many of us on this site reminding us of the meaning of the holiday. My favorite has always been Nia - Purpose, but I noticed today that the seven principles illustrate well what this website (BAS) is striving to achieve within the literary landscape.
How The Black Author Showcase Encompasses the Seven Principles:
- We wish to promote unity among multicultural lovers of literature, writers and readers - anyone that brings a book to life.
- We support the self-determination that is needed to create a personal work of art. To define ourselves and not be defined by others is all that we ask.
- This literary community is an example of the beauty of collective work and responsibility. Do your best, give your best, and live up to your word. You are building your legacy.
- Buying books and services from people that look like you is the cooperative economic concept that has helped every successful immigrant (Korean, Italian, Jewish - they all buy from "their own" first and others second) in America. It has taken us way too long to accomplish this, however it is never too late.
- Our purpose has been the building and developing of this growing community to help others create better books, get the information needed to do so and to connect with others that can assist in the journey. When our brothers and sisters do well, we at the top of the world.
- The creativity that has come forth and is exhibited amongst our membership has been overwhelming. We learn something from every new member interview or poetry show. We are just happy to be able to say "I knew them when . . ." because there are many simmering stars in this community.
- We will always believe that we can achieve greatness by helping each other. We have faith in the real hearts of our people . . . the "crabs in the barrel" attitude cannot last forever. There is more than enough money and success to go around to everyone in the literary field. Competition is a good thing, it keeps you fresh. Never forget that our faith in you will never diminish.
- Happy Holidays from all of us at the Black Author Showcase!
Visit the website The Black Candle to learn more about the new documentary by MK Asante, narrated by Maya Angelou and please don't forget to visit the original/official site . The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together. Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Kuumba (Creativity) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
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