Sunday night in the EMU Ballroom, the University’s Black Student Union put on its 14th annual Kwanzaa event.
An African American cultural holiday celebrated nationally from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, Kwanzaa is centered around seven principles: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani, the respective Swahili words for unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
“How universal are those?” said Jewel Ford, a member of BSU. “Things like faith and community and culture, those are almost human principles.”
Ford said that while Kwanzaa was created by African Americans, the biggest misconception of the holiday is that Kwanzaa is a “Black Christmas.” She said in addition to not being a religious holiday, Kwanzaa can be celebrated by anyone.
“This is not just for the African American community,” Ford said. “It’s also a chance for everyone to know what Kwanzaa is.”
At Kwanzaa 2007, BSU recognized each principle with a skit.
For Kujichagulia, Anise Hames and Sara Gebremedhin portrayed Jasmine Carter, a high school senior who lived in the projects of Brooklyn, N.Y., and her mother. Carter was a motivated student on her way to college, despite a lack of encouragement from her mother. The oldest of four, Carter helped her single mother, who grew up on the streets and got pregnant at a young age, raise her younger siblings. At the mention of college, Carter’s mother said that if she was left to take care of the kids by herself, Carter would be just like her father.
With no familial support, Carter went to Georgetown University, where she graduated at the top of her class. Today, she owns a dental practice in New York.

For Imani, BSU members put together a slideshow of photos from the Civil Rights Movement to demonstrate the faith their subjects needed to persevere. They also paid attention to African American accomplishments that occurred in the month of December, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott of Alabama, which lasted from Dec. 5, 1955 to Dec. 20, 1956.
“It’s really a time to celebrate culture,” said Shareena Holloway, a University graduate student. “It’s a time for friendship, family, unity, coming together. You don’t have to be African American to celebrate Kwanzaa … here, we have people of all backgrounds and all cultures to help celebrate.”
University senior Julie Nguyen is not African American, though many of her friends are.

Kwanzaa means “celebrating with my friends, even though I’m of a different culture,” Nguyen said. “It’s really important to understand the traditions that impact the community and their lives.”
While the nearly 100 attendees feasted on soul food – including chicken, macaroni and cheese, yams, salad, corn bread and peach cobbler, all of which was cooked by BSU members – BSU students put on a fashion show, modeling MynORity Apparel & Co.
Launched by Marquis McNeil when he was a student at Philadelphia’s Temple University, MynORity is a bold, colorful urban clothing line for both men and women. The “OR” in the name is capitalized in recognition of Oregon, as McNeil grew up in Portland.
Representing Ujamaa, the fashion show was included in the principles.
“(McNeil is) trying to launch this new company, this clothing line,” said BSU Programs Assistant Getachew Kassa. “What better way to do it than incorporating it into our Kwanzaa?”
Echoing Ford’s sentiments, Kassa said he was glad to see such a high and diverse turnout.
“Although it may seem like a black event, it really isn’t,” he said. “We attempt at the very least, to bring out everyone, invite everyone in the community.”
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