Posted on 12/31/2006 3:03:45 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Forty years after its creation by a California professor, Kwanzaa got its first citywide celebration in Madison on Saturday amid conga drumming, dance, rap and poignant remembrances of deceased African Americans including "Godfather of Soul" James Brown and popular local television anchorman Mike McKinney.
"There is purity in our hearts as we call on those who have gone before us to come into our midst as we celebrate this Kwanzaa event," organizer Godwin Amegashie told the gathering of about 250 people at Olbrich Botanical Gardens on the East Side.
The names of dozens of recently deceased ancestors were read before three girls - Dorothea Manadier, Michaelean Johnson and Isis Bernard of the Fountain of Life Praise Dancers - offered a graceful, proud interpretation of Kwanzaa's seven core values.
Those principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. They're celebrated each year, one emphasized per day, beginning Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 1.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by California State University professor Maulana Karenga to encourage people of African descent to reconnect to their roots.
Edith Lawrence-Hilliard, who spearheaded Madison's first citywide Kwanzaa celebration, said her family has lived in the city for 141 years - eight generations - and has celebrated the holiday privately every year since its creation.
"I'm kind of in awe," she said as she snacked on cake after the one-hour ceremony, which featured an original rap tribute to Kwanzaa by her grandson, Harry Bernard, a student at Madison East High School.
Lawrence-Hilliard acknowledged that Kwanzaa remains little understood by many residents, including African Americans, but predicted that with the public celebration, more people of all ages will take part.
Organizers said they're certain to stage another citywide event next year.
Fabu Carter Mogaka said she attended similar events as a child in Memphis, Tenn., and the debut of Kwanzaa in Madison, her home since 1978, is important.
"To be able to have a celebration here makes it feel like home," said Mogaka, who shared with the audience the symbols she displays in her Madison home to reinforce the holiday's principles.
There's a small mat - the foundation upon which everything rests - and a candleholder for seven candles, which traditionally represent aspects of the family.
Ears of corn stand for her son, Woodie, who attends UW- Madison.
There are photos of her parents, Herman and Bernice Carter, who died two years ago, five days apart.
She keeps a quilt of Mississippi cotton, handed down from her grandmother and made of clothing scraps from her ancestors.
"I wrap my family around me," she said.
Mogaka is a community educator with Mentoring Connections, which seeks mentors for the children of incarcerated parents. She said Kwanzaa helps her retain an upbeat outlook even when confronted with struggles.
"I always have hope," Mogaka said.
I don't know how you can read that and not laugh.
You just can't make this stuff up. LOL!
Don't she know dat da evil whitey made dem po' folks pick dat cotton? I'm callin' up Sharpton and Jesse rat now! And all y'all hush, I be from Mississippi (and I can spell it as well).
I'm sure there are some nice people having a meaningful celebration with their families.
It's a shame they've been deluded in this way. Celebrate Christmas, New Year's Day, Epiphany ... heck, throw a huge bash for Day of the Dead, or Baden-Powell's birthday ... but stay away from Marenga and his evil.
Real name at birth: Ron Everett.
Imagine that.
a Kwaazi holiday at best.....
LOL! Good one.
Kwanzaa got its first citywide celebration in Madison on Saturday... blah blah blah...organizer Godwin Amegashie told the gathering of about 250 people.
Madison must be one small city.
I'm dreaming of an off-white Christmas?
Oh, no. Just small-minded. That's a normal turn out. The People's Republik of Madistan is about 200K strong. No more than 250 socialists ever turn out for ANYTHING...but it's always "major news" and deserves coverage. ;)
I don't know how you can read that and not laugh."
Exactly.
And when do we get to air our grievances?
well, a lot of Freepers have been asking if anyone actually celebrates kwanzaa; I guess here's there answer... let's see... 250 people /300 million times one hundred equals ... .0000833 % of the US population ...
I'm caucasian. Can I celebrate this holiday too? Or is it an innately racist holiday?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.