The Rocket

Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Jared Ursta Members of the Slippery Rock University Mime team pantomime a religious song in celebration of Kwanzaa. This event was part of the second annual pre-Kwanzaa celebration held Wednesday in the University Union Multi-Purpose Room by the Black Action Society.

In an attempt to connect students to different aspects of the African American culture and teach them what Kwanzaa is about, the Black Action Society (BAS) held its second annual pre-Kwanzaa celebration Wednesday evening in the Multi Purpose Room.

"It's a big misconception that Kwanzaa is religious," Robert Clay, director of Slippery Rock University's intercultural program said. "It is not a religious celebration. Kwanzaa has some religious ties, but various faiths celebrate it."

BAS holds the event to help students understand and appreciate the diversity we have here, Clay said.

The celebration began when BAS secretary, Dominique Chapman, welcomed everyone to the program and defined Kwanzaa. She introduced the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and said that it was a spiritual celebration. She also said that Kwanzaa is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

The night was filled with performances by the Slippery Rock Mime Team, the SRU Chosen Generation Gospel Choir, and a dance by three SRU students, Regina Wheeler, Lannea Adamson, and Monique Samuels.

The final performance was done by the Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble, lead by Tony Mitchell and Thomas Chatman. Their performance included drums, dancing, and a lesson on Kwanzaa, done by Mitchell.

Mitchell, an Africana Studies professor at Penn State-McKeesport, encouraged the audience to participate and interact with him when teaching of the celebration.

"Do you know anyone who has no self-determination?" Mitchell said. "If they don't have any, you just need to tell them to get their Kujichagulia together."

Kujichagulia is the second of the seven principles of Kwanzaa which means self-determination.

This being the second year the celebration was held, Clay said he believed the turnout was bigger and better this year.

"We had more people here this year because I think more people knew about the event," Clay said."

Natasha Ricketts, president of the BAS said she agreed.

"We had a better turnout this year," Ricketts said. "We also had a more diverse group."

Ricketts said that the BAS would like to make the celebration an annual event.

Clay said he feels that it should continue as an annual event because it gives students a different opportunity.

"It's becoming a tradition," Clay said "It gives the university students some more opportunities to learn about different cultures."

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