“When you understand your obligations to the creator then you can understand your obligations to society.” – Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin
Kwanzaa was created and born in the womb, work and transformative struggles of the Black Freedom Movement. Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa says, Kwanzaa was also shaped by a defining decade of fierce struggles for freedom and justice waged by Africans and other people of color all over the world.
2025 marks the 59th annual celebration of Kwanzaa, the theme is “Practicing the Seven Principles in Dimly-Lit Times: Lifting Up the Light, Hurrying the Dawn,” Fahima Seck, co-/producer and host of WPFW’s “What’s at Stake,” and straight out of Compton organizer and longtime West Coast community activist Ms. Mollie Bell, tell us more.
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Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 18, 1970. He was named after the iconic leader Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. He was raised in Los Angeles, and later graduated from The Professional Children’s School in New York City, New York.
In addition to his memorable role as Theodore Huxtable, on the popular television program, The Cosby Show, Warner starred in a number of shows and films such as Malcolm and Eddie, The Tuskegee Airman, Read Between the Lines, and other notable projects. In 2017, Warner released “You Can’t Hear Me,” a compelling spoken word short film featuring poetry that examines social justice issues in the U.S. including systematic oppression, deportation and mass incarceration.
Warner sadly transitioned at the age of 54, while with a group learning to surf in Costa Rica, on July 20, 2025.
We share excerpt of Malcolm Jamal Warner’s Art in Motion Juneteenth performance at the Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on June 23, 2023.
In 2015, Warner received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for his contribution to a cover of Stevie Wonder‘s “Jesus Children of America.” He did a poem on the track, dedicated to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, along with musicians Robert Glasper Experiment and Lalah Hathaway.
Warner transitioned at the age of 54, on July 20, 2025 surfing in Costa Rica. May the Creator and the Ancestors be with him.
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Kwanzaa is a weeklong international celebration from December 26th to January 1st, founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. The annual celebration honors African and African American traditions. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase matunda ya kwanza which means first fruits, or harvest, in Swahili.
According to the Official Kwanzaa website this year’s Annual Kwanzaa Theme, “Practicing the Seven Principles in Dimly-Lit Times: Lifting Up the Light, Hurrying the Dawn” is to speak on the falsehood, fear, chaos, confusion and uncertainty that has emerged in this historical moment. Kwanzaa’s cultural message speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.
Dr. Karenga states, “The lessons of our history, and our sense of our humanity, tell us we must defy the darkness and darkness makers that seek to dispirit and diminish us, and demonstrate a radical refusal to be defeated or dispirited in any way.”
Visit officialkwanzaawebsite.org to learn more.
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We hear a discussion featuring the Beloved Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, formerly H. Rap Brown, who was one of the many revolutionary leaders of the Black Power Movement. He was the chairman of SNCC, and a member of the Black Panther Party. Iman Jamil Al Amin transitioned at 82 on November 23, 2025 at a federal medical center in Butner, North Carolina, due to an untreated illness while incarcerated.
His son Kairi Al Amin issued a family statement saying, quote:
“On behalf of our entire family, I thank every single person who prayed, stood, marched, researched, wrote, advocated, and fought to clear my father’s name. ” unquote.
During a 79th birthday tribute to Imam Jamil, the Imam Jamil Action Network presented a short compilation of films including an interview with Gil Noble, Emmy Award winning host and producer of the influential New York public affairs show Like It Is Gil Noble.
“Imam Jamil is one of the great political activists of the Black and Islamic movements” according to author and anti-racist activist Arun Kundnani. “His imprisonment is designed to make the world forget about him, and it has largely succeeded, ” Kundnani said.
In a statement after his death, Attorney Mawuli Mel Davis, of Davis Bozeman Johnson Law said, “After reviewing the documents and evidence, it became overwhelmingly clear to our firm that Imam Jamil Al-Amin did not receive a fair trial.
Our commitment remains to make a clear and undeniable record that he was denied a fair trial, suffered grave medical neglect, and was subjected to federal surveillance and suppression that threatens the freedom of us all.”
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And that concludes today’s edition of Capitalism, Race & Democracy. We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by Akua Holt, with contributions by Fahima Seck, and edited by Akua Holt and senior editor Polina Vasiliev.
You can find this and all previous episodes at our website “capitalism race and democracy dot ORG”. Make sure you click the subscribe button. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @PacificaCRD.
Thanks for listening!
Music:
A Kwanzaa Song · Lovely Hoffman
Teddy Pendergrass “Happy Kwanzaa
Buckshot LeFonque, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” featuring Maya Angelou
New music by Houston violinist, Micheal Prince, “The Emancipation Proclamation”
