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Page 6 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT December, 1987
Kwanzaa—Not Black Christmas
by D.L. Parms
Kwanzaa is the seven day
festival of the first fruits.
This celebration was an
African tradition which
commemorated the
harvesting of the first crops.
Africa has many celebratory
traditions—Africans are a
ceremonious people, cele
brating life, family, nature
and the Divine Force.
Kwanzaa is a distinctly
African American Holiday
that is rooted in several
different African harvest
festivals. Maulana Ron
Karenga, a noted African
scholar, introduced Kwanzaa
to “Black Folk in America” in
1966. It is a deeply spiritual
celebration,yet it is not rooted
in any specific religion.
Essentially, Kwanzaa is a
time for African Americans
to come together and
simply—renew. A time for
families to embrace and to
reaffirm love. It is a time to
regain a positive mindset
and to focus on Africa, devel
oping a vision for the future.
The celebration of
Kwanzaa centers around the
seven Social and Spiritual
Principles of the Nguzo Saba
(Seven Principles o,f the
Black Value System) 1.
Unity; 2. Self-determination;
3. Collective work and
responsibility; 4. Coopera
tive economics; 5. Purpose; 6.
Creativity; and 7. Faith.
Each of these principles are
illumined over a seven day
period, each principle
receiving a day, respectively.
Kwanzaa can be celebrated
in many ways. It is as unde
fined and unlimited as the
imagination. The ceremony
usually is accompanied with
the lighting of candles and a
discussion of the meaning of
the principle for the day.
Poetry reading, plays, art
festivals, musical concerts,
Spelmanite On The Move
Charnelle Holloway, a 1979
Spelman College graduate
received her B.A. degree in
Art under the close supervi
sion of instructors Lev Mills
and Jenelsie Holloway (her
mother). Wanting to further
her artistic education, Char
nelle pursued her M.F.A. in
the area of metalsmithing at
Georgia State University;
studying under master
craftsman Richard Mafong.
The Spelman Community
will be able to enjoy her work
and support their alumna,
for Miss Holloway will be
exhibiting in conjunction
with 1976 Morehouse grad
uate Toby Martin, from
December 2-18 in the Fine
Arts Building.
Mr. Martin also received
his M.F.A. from Georgia
State University, but in the
area of sculpture. He studied
under George Beasley and
has been the recipient of
several major sculpture
commissions and awards.
So, take a study break and
venture over to the Fine Arts
Building. It will prove well
worth the trip.
Honor Society Helps Library
by Margo V. Perkins
In a project spearheaded
by Elizabeth Frye, members
of the Spelman Senior Honor
Society devoted a Saturday
in November to assist in
reshelving books at Woodruff
Library. Though the net
effect at the end of the day
was nominal, members did
uncover in the process a
major cause for the elusive
ness of numerous titles.
Many volumes are improp
erly shelved such that they
are literally “lost” among the
stacks.
Because students from five
institutions rely on Wood
ruffs resources, the Senior
Honor Society believes the
current situation constitutes
a problem of considerable
magnitude that deserves
serious attention. In early
1988, the group plans to
solicit the support of fellow
students in launching a
major campaign to address
existing problems and
propose viable solutions.
Collectively, they believe we
can create an AUC library
that will better meet our
needs as serious students.
dances and joyful songs often
transpire.
Though Kwanzaa is cele
brated December 26-
January 1, it is not to be
compared with Christmas. It
is specifically a time set aside
for black people to celebrate
other black people.
Last year Spelman cele
brated Kwanzaa. Although
there were only a few women
who participated in the cere
monies, the joyful festival
was a reality on Spelman’s
campus. Each night a
different principle was proj
ected at a given dormitory. At
the end of the seven day
period, the festival culmi
nated with a collective effort
in Sister’s Chapel. Poems
were read, songs were sung,
dances were danced, candles
were lit—women embraced.
Kwanzaa is not widely
acknowledged. Many black
families and black institu
tions are not cognizant of the
festival. But slowly and
surely people are becoming
conscious, people are cele
brating, African Americans
are claiming the “Harvest.”
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Spelmanites
Reach Out
To Community
by Regina M. Taylor
During this holiday
season, it is important to be
thankful and to remember
those less fortunate. Five
sophomores; Tara Addison,
Adrienne Lance, Pamela
Larkins, Mia Maxie and
Regina Taylor followed the
principle of UJIMA and
collectively worked to
enhance the Thanksgiving
holiday for a family in need.
Funds were raised by a bake
sale and were used to
purchase a Thanksgiving
basket for a family in south
east Atlanta. The name of the
family was received from
United Way. Upon delivery of
the basket, the students were
overwhelmed with feelings of
joy, goodness and sympathy.
This act of giving helped
them to realize how fortunate
they have been in having had
the opportunity to eat three
meals a day. We must
remember to forever count
the many blessings which
our Father has bestowed
upon us. To those less
fortunate, we must stress;
IMANI (faith). As black
people, we must remember;
UMOJA (unity). We must
work together to help our
underprivileged brothers and
sisters. What may seem a
small gesture of kindness,
may bring to someone
immeasurable happiness. So
I say to you, my Spelman
sisters; love, share and give
in the spirit of
SISTERHOOD!
Junior Class News
by Michele Strickland
Under the leadership of
Josette Davis, the Junior
Class officers have been hard
at work trying to make this
year a success. After the Big
Sister, Little Sister Tfea and
the Mr. Junior Pageant, the
juniors are definitely off to a
good start.
On October 7, 1987, the
juniors and freshmen met
each other as big sisters and
little sisters for the first time.
That night, which we will all
remember, hopefully created
a bond of sisterhood that will
not only spread throughout
the classes, but throughout
Spelman’s entire campus.
On October 21, 1987, Mr.
Sean Barnes walked away
with the title of Mr. Junior.
Mr. Paul Taylor and Mr.
Charles McKinney received
1st and 2nd place respec
tively. The theme of the
pageant was MIDNIGHT
MAGIC, and a night of magic
it was.
The officers have plans for
an even more successful
second semester, including
community services and
more activities for class
members.