by Randy Taylor-Irwin

Created on: December 19, 2008

Scene: Living Room of the Curtis household

Characters: The Curtis family, Father Ben, Mother Vanessa, Son Anthony, Daughter Nikki

A huge bare Christmas tree dominates the elegant French themed living room. Vanessa is carefully unwrapping the treasured ornaments. Ben is relaxing in his easy chair while reading the sports page and sipping on a beer. Anthony dangles his feet over the love seat while he keeps texting on his cell phone. Nikki is eeriely silent as she stares out the window,

Vanessa (clearly irritated): Look! This tree is not going to get decorated by itself people! So come on, let's go!

Ben (sipping his beer): Can't a man just relax in peace woman? The tree ain't going nowhere. We'll get around to it..soon.

Vanessa: I don't even know why I bother. This is the perfect opportunity for this family to have some good old fashinoned bonding time.

Anthony: Yeah, it's old fashioned alright. And BORING! Mom why can't I go kick it with my homies?

Vanessa (aghast): Kick it with your homies? Exactly what are they teaching you at that school of yours, Ebonics?

Anthony: Whatever.

Vanessa: I swear...Nikki honey come over here and help me unwrap the ornaments. At least I have at least one child who is still sane.

Nikki: I'm sorry mom, but I have made a decision not to celebrate Christmas anymore. I'm only going to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Ben (putting down his paper) Kwan-who?

Nikki: Kwanzaa. This is the holiday African-Americans should be celebrating. We need to rediscover our roots.

Anthony (laughing) Roots? Didn't they have some show about that back in the day?

Ben: Hush boy, now Nikki what are you trying to say?

Nikki: Dad I'm just saying this is the perfect time for us to reconnect to our heritage. Look how commercial the holiday season has become. Now it's all about the bling, expensive presents and the most outrageous lawn decorations.

Vanessa: It never seemed to bother you before, and if I'm not mistaken a lot of these ornaments were made by you and your brother when you were younger.

Nikki: And mom I still love them. I know there is a lot of tradition behind them....But I'm just saying why can't we just start a new tradition, one that has a new meaning attached to it.

Ben: And you think this Kwanzaa is going to do all that?

Nikki: Yes it will dad. Remember how you keep saying the Civil Rights struggle was for our generation to do better than yours?

Ben: Yeah, but what does this holiday have to do with that?

Nikki: It gives African-Americans the choice to celebrate our history and

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