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Part of Students Prepare to Observe Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, December 6, 2004

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Students Prepare to Observe Hanukkah, Kwanzaa
BSU Stresses Unity, Values at
Kwanzaa Teach-In

Students End Semester With
Eight Days ofHanukkah

By NATIA DAVITI
Staff Writer

By ERICA HOOD
Staff Writer

When the Christmas trees and meno­
rahs go up in homes and storefronts every
December, few people need to ask what
they stand for such symbols are almost
inescapable during the holiday season.
When decorations go up for Kwanzaa,
however, many people are left to ask
what exactly this third December holiday
is all about.
Saturday night in the Student Union,
over 100 UB students, staff and alumni
gathered to shed some light on the lesser­
known holiday and celebrating Kwanzaa
at an annual dinner sponsored by the
Black Student Union.

With Hanukkah set to start Tuesday
night, hundreds of Jewish students at UB
will celebrate the Festival of Lights for
the next eight days by either going home
to family, or lighting candles and swap­
ping presents with friends on campus.
"I am so excited to go home for Hanuk­
kah," said Jon Goldberg, a junior com­
munications major. "I usually go home
every year, and this year is no different.
Celebrating with your family is extreme­
ly important during this festival. There's
nothing else out there quite like it."
A celebration of the Jewish victory
over Greek conquerors over 2,000 years

see BSU page 2

Danick Baron / The Spectrum

Students light candles Saturday night in a ceremony part
of the annual Kwanzaa dinner, sponsored by the Black
Student Union.

see HANUKKAH page 2

BSU: Seven Candles
from front page

"For people who don't really Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Black Student Union organizers
understand what Kwanzaa is about,
this dinner is a great experience for said the celebration was meant to
them," said Christopher Brown, give a background on the holiday
a first year graduate student and and answer questions for those
BSU member. "It's important to who are interested in learning
celebrateAfricanAmerican culture more about it.
within such a large university."
The dinner featured all of the
An African American and pan­ seven symbols of Kwanzaa.
The Kinara, or candleholder,
African cultural holiday, Kwanzaa
was first celebrated in 1966 in the represents continental Africans
aftermath of brutal race riots and and ancestors. The Mkeka, or mat,
the Black Freedom Movement. represents the tradition and history
Ron Everett, a professor at the that today's Africans build their
University of California at Long lives around. The Mazao, or crops,
Beach, created the holiday to cel­ are symbolic of the African harvest
ebrate family, community, and the celebrations and the rewards of
seven principles called "Nguzo productive.and collective labor.
The last key symbol is Mishu­
Saba."
Unity, self-determination, col­ maa Saba, the seven candles,
lective work and responsibility, which symbolize the Seven Prin­
cooperative economics, purpose, ciples, and provide a set of values,
creativity, and faith are all fun­ which people are encouraged to
damentals highlighted during the live their lives by.
days of Kwanzaa and applied to
The night also showcased the
Daemen College step troupe and
life throughout the year.
"I take whatever I learn about gospel choir. The neighboring col­
Kwanzaa here and bring it back lege was invited to join in on the
home with me," said Deidra festivities to stress the importance
McBean, a second year graduate of a cohesive community.
student in economics. "It's irnpor"The whole idea is to make the
tant to practice the foundations of annual Kwanzaa dinner a family
Kwanzaa. It's a good way to live." and community event, and Dae­
Organizers said Saturday's men's presence really helps us to
unseasonably nice weather made it that," Monroe said.
easier for more people to attend the
Although the dinner featured a
traditional and hearty menu, for
cultural event.
"Snowstorms have plagued those who attended, the event was
us the past couple of years and about far more than good food.
haven't allowed many who were
"Coming together at the end of
interested in attending to be able the semester to have a good time
to, so we really lucked out this and eat food is fun," said Robyn
time," said Terrell Monroe, a UB Liverpool, a senior business major
alumnus who was a speaker at the and BSU member. "But learning
dinner.
good ways to live and the strength
The holiday itself, which is not of community is invaluable."
religious, runs for a week from