TALK TO THE DADDY

Hello. Come on in. The daddy writes about current events, literature, music and, once in a while, drops something on you from back in the day to make you pause and ponder, stop and stare, and begin to wonder. Who knows? You may start to pace the floor, shake your head from side to side, then fall down on bended knees in a praying position and cry, "Lawd, have mercy! What is this world coming to?" Check yourself! But this blog is NOT about the daddy. It's about you: your boos, your fam, your hood, your country...our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. So let's make a pact: the daddy will put it on the track if you'll chase it down and hit him back. Together, we can definitely take it to another level. Shall we?"

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Kwanzaa day 4 is about Ujamaa, cooperative economics



KWANZAA Day 4 • Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics by B  I  R  D.

Today, the daddy is feeling Kwanzaa. He's feeling Ujamaa, 4th principle of Kwanzaa. Ujamaa
is about cooperative economics. People who celebrate Kwanzaa pledge to:

"...
focus on ways to build and maintain our own stores,
shops and other businesses and to profit from them together."

To the daddy, this operative words are "profit from them together." Obviously, the black
community has not figured that one out. For instance, the black community should have thousands of food, housing and health cooperatives. For instance, black folks should have plenty of food cooperatives in their community. These co-ops would have a strong
relationship with small farmers who would drop off food to specific outlets on certain days. These co-ops would not only provide fresh, organic food. They would provide jobs for the community. Put in terms of Kwanzaa principles, Black people should have more Kujichaglia (self-determination) to practice Ujamaa (cooperative economics), to do for self.

On another note, the daddy was e-mailed by a person who asked, "What's a good African dish to cook for Kwanzaa?" Well, the daddy came across a blog that focused on African dishes for Kwanzaa (http://www.theholidayspot.com/kwanzaa/kwanzaa_recipes.htm#Potato). Here's the daddy's favorite:
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Kwanzaa Recipes
Sweet Potato Casserole
sweet potato casserole


Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the preparing the pan
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Method

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and pierce each one 2 or 3 times with a fork. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F. Scoop the sweet potato out of their skins and into a medium bowl. Discard the skins. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Add the eggs, butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and the pepper to taste. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Butter an 8-by-8-inch casserole. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pan and sprinkle the top with the pecans. Bake until puffed, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
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Happy Kwanzaa

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see you are staying up late to get
these to us. Thank you, daddy. And thanks for the recipe. It's easy to do.

SagaciousHillbilly said...

Amen to "cooperative economics!" For me that means not shopping at the Wal-Mart and patronizing local suppliers. That means I spread out my farm dollars to three different feed and seed suppliers and I DON'T go down to the low priced "Tractor Supply" chain store and buy low grade cheap products. When I need hardware or anything else, I have to go to the guy on the corner who will feed his family tonight with the dollar I spend there today.

SagaciousHillbilly said...

Oh, and thanks Daddy. You've really opened up my eyes to what this Kwanza thing is all about. I will pass it on.
In these times, we could all use a little Kwanza in our lives.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Anon: You're right. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd write about Kwanzaa. I hope it's helpful.

Sagacious: I love how you purposely do the right thing.In Georgia, white guys who did the right thing were call "a real redneck," in other words, he looks out for his neighbors as well as himself.

The first time I heard it, I thought it was about some white guys in checkered shirts during the day and white sheets at night, white guys who, after a few beers and a change of clothes like Superman, coming to my house soon. But the "real redneck" label was about a guy who looked out for his neighbor and not just himself.

If they have such a concept in W. Virginia you're it. And, yes, that's what Kwanzaa and Ujamaa is about.

Vertis said...

Great post,
I haven't read anything about Kwanzaa since college, so this is a great reminder of it's principles.

About my recent post, I wish I could take credit for that list, but it was a gift from a friend years ago. I believe it came from the million man march.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Truth: It's a wonderful list. I'll post the list on December 31st. and say I got it from your blogs. Happy holidays!

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Truth: It's a wonderful list. I'll post the list on December 31st. and say I got it from your blogs. Happy holidays!

LISA VAZQUEZ said...

Hey there MacDaddy!

I didn't know you were a guru in the kitchen!!

I have made sweet potatoes but not since the early 90s.

Now if you tell me you know how to put a perm in a sista's hair...I will be even more thoroughly impressed! (smiles)

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa

LISA VAZQUEZ said...

Hey MacDaddy!

I ran over here first thing in the morning to see your post for Day 5 Nia!!

Okay soldier, wake up right now, brush your teeth, hit the shower, shave, moisturize and proceed to your keyboard! *LOL*

Hut! Hut!

I have a slightly bossy side! *LOL*

(smiles)

I'll be back later!

Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa


P.S. By the way, do you have a Technorati account? I was trying to "fav" you!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Thanks for all these Kwanzaa posts. I am making the sweet potato casserole for a church party this weekend. We can't wait for it!