So often, the systems and traditions we inherit don’t serve us. Yet Kwanzaa reminds us that we’re not powerless in these moments. We can reimagine, reclaim, and create something entirely new—something that honors who we are and what we stand for.

Throughout history, humanity has often resisted seeing itself as part of larger systems, preferring to imagine itself as special or set apart. Two profound shifts challenge this notion: the advent of the theory of evolution and the rise of artificial intelligence. Each confronts us with a humbling truth—our place in a vast, intricate web of life and cognition.