(Elfe ^lorthuib (Ubevruvr ---------------------------------fe; December 15,1999 FOC Page 5 KwANzAA;celebrating the days w ith meaning BY C l W E W, F ord E Q g J jlt_ E Q B I L A C lB -i2 B S £ 8 iiK I first re m e m b e r c e le b ra tin g Kwanzaa during the tumultuous 60’s. A Kwanzaa “industry” has now matured, boasting everything from Kwanzaa cards to “Kwanzaa Sales" at major department stores to Kwanzaa dolls decked out in A frican garb. I look at these developments with a mixture of pride and skepticism. On one hand, it is gratifying to see Kwanzaa accepted into American culture. Still, 1 worry this very acceptance is gutting the holiday o f its intended meaning and purpose. 1 do believe it is possible to celebrate Kwanzaa in a way which keeps the meaning o f the holiday alive in your life. The Bridge Builders Third Annual Kwanzaa Gala and Gentlemen’s Ball will be held at 7 p.m. on S unday, D ecem b er 26 at the Portland Marriott Hotel, located at 1401 SW Naito Parkway (formerly Front Avenue). The Bridge Builders is a rites o f passage program for A frican- American male teens in the Portland metropolitan area. The program teach es m ale teen s the tools necessary to become men. Those tools are spirituality, scholarship, c u ltu ra l a w a re n e ss, tim e m anagem ent, tim e spent w ith positive adults, community service and respect. Like any holiday, K w an zaa is identified with a set o f principles, sy m b o ls and rituals. Over the years, I ’ve b eg u n to observe Kwanzaa by embracing the basic principles and symbols, but d isc a rd in g the “p re-p ack ag ed ” in te rp re ta tio n s and instructions. I b eg in w ith Nguzo Saba, the sev en d a ily principles which are the pillars of Kwanzaa. Rather than just reread T he K w an zaa G ala and G e n tle m e n ’s B all is the culmination o f a four year rites o f passage program. The program challenges African- American high school males to ex cel a c a d e m ic a lly and personally. All youths in the program are required to complete a rigorous skill-building curriculum and abide by a strict code o f conduct. During their senior year, each student is expected to demonstrate growth in harmony with the seven barometers o f manhood. L a st y e a r, m ore th an 700 community residents attended the the basis o f a question that I ask m yself during Kwanzaa. Day 1 UMOJA (UNITY). Umoja,a Swahili word, is also translated as oneness or wholeness and my first question is: How do I experience wholeness and oneness in my life? H ere my thoughts turn to my physical, emotional and spiritual health; my relationship to nature and the earth; and my connectedness to life. Day 2 KUJICHAGUL1A (SELF- DETERMINATION). This Swahili word has an original meaning closer to self-selection, self-chosen or authentic. I ask myselfon this second day: In wh«iat ways am I leading an the traditional definitions o f these principles, I use each principle as second annual Kwanzaa Gala and Gentlem en’s Ball. That meant that Bridge Builders were able to present more than $10,000 to 11 college freshmen. T ic k e ts a re a v a ila b le at all Ticketmaster locations including GI Joe’s and M eir & Frank or charge by phone at 503/224-4400. Tickets are also available at Best o f All worlds, M ona’s Ethnic Fabrics and Fashions, Mrs. C ’s Wigs, Naira & K obo A frican Im ports and Sheba’s House o f Elegance. For more information about Bridge Builders and the Kwanzaa Gala Gentlemen’s Ball, please call 503/ 285-1165. authentic life? 1 reaffirm my commitment to try to live my life by the dictates o f my own conscience, and not by dogmas and doctrines supplied to me from some external source. Day 3 UJIMA (COLLECTIVE W O RK AND RESPONSIBILITY). On day three, the question that informs my is: How can I lead a life o f service to others? I would like to feel that the actions I take in my life bring some benefit, no matter how small, to the lives o f others. Day 4 UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS). In Swahili, the w ord m eans fam ily h o o d , brotherhood, and relationship. So, on this fourth day o f Kwanzaa, I question: Who is my family, and what are the important relationships in my life? My definition of family is very broad. It includes my biological and ethnic family, but it extends beyond both to encompass the family o f humankind. I reflect upon the sig n ifican t relationships in my life and how Love is that important force which b inds to g e th e r all hum an relationships. Day 5 NIA (PURPOSE). This fifth day of Kwanzaa I query: Where do I find meaning and purpose in my life? I want to know to what extent my passions are my pursuits in life. Am I doing the work I love, or the (Please see K w anzaa page 9) J o i n u s fo r a C h r is tm a s C o n c e r t with G o s p e l r e c o r d in g a r t i s t a n d a w a r d w inning v o c a lis t Vickie W inans Wednesday, December 15th 7:00 pm at New Beginnings Christian Center 7600 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR 97213 (503) 256-6050 ADMISSION FREE Ring in the M illennium at * M cM enam ins Kennedy School ♦ Dance Party with live R&B artist Norman Sylvester and his band ♦ * ' T u ki ts a v a ila b le now I .ill |"7 tfi NT :U rri K in n rd v School P o r tla n d , O r e g o n