The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Shining the Light on a New Generation

Seven students stood before an audience Saturday night in a darkened Grinnell Hall basement, each sharing the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa while symbolically lighting green, black and red candles.

Members of registered student organizations lit seven candles symbolizing the "seven principles" of Kwanzaa: the three on the left were red, representing the people's struggles, three on the right were green, represented their victories and the single black candle in the middle, represented the people themselves.

This weekend in Grinnell Hall, more than 40 people gathered together in a show of unity to celebrate Kwanzaa Fest and reflect on the past year's events. Sponsoring the program were the Black Togetherness Organization, the local chapter of the NAACP and Black Affairs Council.

"I choose to participate because this means a lot to our culture," said BTO member Bruce Jackson. "It's something my mother would be proud of me doing."

Keynote speaker English professor Ana Jackson said the message she wanted to share with the crowd would not be something new to them. Jackson said she wanted to reaffirm traditional values important to the community.

Determination was a trait she touched on and encouraged the audience to obtain.

"There is something inside each one of you that was put there when you were conceived," Jackson said. " It said you could do this."

In addition to motivation, Jackson asked the audience to consider that "freedom is not something that comes freely," continuing that, "the greatest way to free yourself is by helping someone else."

"Kwanzaa to me represents a time in the lives of African Americans to reflect on the history of our people," Jackson said.

Voices of Inspiration performed two songs, the "Black National Anthem" and "Jesus Will." Their soulful voices encouraged the crowd to sing and clap along with them.

Kwanzaa, meaning "first fruits of the harvest," is derived from the Swahili language. The holiday is centered on the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

It begins Dec. 26 and culminates on Jan. 1. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 to honor the tradition of the black communities' African-American ancestors.

Yadeira Adams, the BTO adviser and event coordinator, said she believed the event was a success. Earlier last week, Adams was concerned with a possible low student attendance.

"I think the attendance was about right. There was a good representation of students this year," she said.

 

 

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