As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the many traditions that exist with the Black community. While traditions exist year-round, this time of year is rich with deep traditions, an eagerness to be surrounded by loved ones, and religious customs. It is a time when work and school are often put on hold and time is made for making decades-old family recipes, coordinating outfits, and catching up on a year’s worth of updates with distant family. These traditions are the foundation of many Black families and tightknit communities.
Importance of traditions
Traditions are more than something that simply occurs once a year. Traditions build a sense of community, foster a sense of belonging, and can be a protective factor against negative health outcomes within the Black community. The sense of community and family connection that results from strong traditions is shown to reduce stress and other negative mental health outcomes, reduce deviant and risky behaviors in youth, decrease the risk of poor physical health outcomes such as high blood pressure, and increase achievement within school and the workplace. Among children, consistent traditions and a sense of community can help to foster resiliency, which contributes to identity, emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development.
Unique to the Black community traditions can also help to promote self-confidence and pride. Traditions are not just important for individuals and families, but for communities and public health outcomes. The Black community has a lot to be proud of and the strong emphasis on family bonding, traditions, and community is one major source of pride. We have traditions that are pretty universal but some that are family specific. My grandmother and her siblings would cut down their Christmas tree each year as children living in Alabama. By simply going in the woods and picking one, growing up my mother always had a live tree. My mother also told us stories about how each night before Christmas they received new pajamas. My mom continued this tradition with her own family. Another is having a real Christmas tree but we also just started a NEW tradition which is literally cutting down our Christmas trees. Like legit going to the tree lot with a saw, string, and whatever else you need for your sister and brother to cut down and drag the tree lol. We let the tree sit for 48 hrs in the water then decorate it, each year a different theme. Also growing up my dad would work over time on Christmas Day so that meant we had to wake up and celebrate together before he went to work which was at 6 am, we still wake up early for this reason on Christmas even though he is no longer with us.
COVID-19 and traditions
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, the Black community is encouraged to continue their traditions in a safe manner. This is especially important considering Black Americans have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Traditions that normally take place in person can take place through video or outside with masks and physical distance guidelines. The food can still be made, just in smaller batches. And religious services can be viewed virtually or practiced privately at home. Traditions in 2020 may look different than in previous years, but these changes help to ensure that that the rich traditions that exist within Black families and communities can occur for decades to come.
DROP YOUR HOLIDAY TRADITIONS BELOW
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